Time Management articles

I give presentations on organizational skill building as it relates to paper, time, and computer file management. It seems that we all have too much paper, not enough time, and more than enough information stored in our computers if we could just find it!Part of my job is to help identify the challenges an employee or organization is facing and suggest solutions. Over the course of time I have found that most individuals are simply unaware of the basics of... Read More

Determine Your Procrastination PersonalityBrook Noel is the author of The Change Your Life Challenge: A 70 Day Life Makeover Program for Women. Learn more at www.changeyourlifechallenge.comLet's face it: at one point or another, we are all bound to procrastinate on something. Even the most efficient time-manager will have a bump in the road now and then. But what happens when procrastination becomes the norm instead of the exception? While Nike® tells us to "Just Do It," what happens when we... Read More

I have worked with so many people over the years that have made me wonder how on earth they can work at their desk when everything that was in their drawers and in their filing cabinets have ended up in piles on top of their keyboard. One co-worker of mine couldn't remember what colour the top of his desk was! I had to say something, but when I did, he told me that he knew where everything was and needed... Read More

"I never seem to have any time for myself. What can I do?"When my two year old followed me to the toilet today I had very similar thought to yours. As busy parents we can often feel like there is no time for us and we are forever running around after others. We can be great at looking after everyone else and so often put ourselves at the bottom of the list.Many of the mums I coach are surprised when... Read More

Many of the clients I work with in success coaching can relate to the following example.If you have ever been to the circus, you have probably seen the side show in which a clown or juggler puts a plate on a stick and spins it. Then he puts another plate on a stick and spins that one, and another, and another, etc. A neat trick, but then he has to constantly run around to keep all the plates spinning.Now there's... Read More

Such an innocuous little phrase, yet when you are hard at work, really focused and engrossed in what you are doing this seemingly harmless request can be a nightmare distraction."The average American has 50 interruptions a day, of which 70% have nothing to do with work" W. Edwards DemingInterruptions are on of the main time stealers that get in the way of productivity. Whether it is phone, email or person generated, have you got a minute? can really break your... Read More

* If you were paying you to prioritise emails over coaching your team, would you feel you were getting a good return on your investment?* If you were paying you to waste time on trivia rather than planning your next quarters sales plan ? would you think you were getting good value for money?* If you were paying you to sit in numerous unproductive meetings would you feel that was a worthwhile contribution?I suspect that the answer to those questions... Read More

If I had a dollar or even better a pound for every time I'd heard a business leader say this I'd be very rich.I'm too busy is used in so many contexts* I'm too busy ? I don't want to * I'm too busy ? I'm overwhelmed * I'm too busy ? Go Away * I'm too busy ? I'm confused * I'm too busy ? And you're not!If we break that sentence down and look... Read More

Work life balance is the new Holy Grail; that search for nirvana; the need to find peace and contentment, the desire to achieve that fine sense of equilibrium that we can be happy with.For some people that means not working at all but, for many it means being happy with the amount of hours they spend at and think about work and are equally happy about their none working hours; whether that be time spent with family and friends or... Read More

Time - it is the one thing that we are all running out of. It cannot be replaced. When it is spent, it is spent.What, then, are you doing to ensure that you are maximizing the use of time?"Understand that time will pass regardless of whether you spend it wisely or simply waste it.You can make time your friend or it can be your worst enemy. Most people leave important tasks till the last possible moment then they are forced... Read More

Everyday, in life, we are bombarded with 101 tasks that are waiting for us to resolve it. This is especially true when we are involved in internet marketing where we had to check emails, respond to customer queries, set up product page.. etc...etc.. The list goes on...Today, I like to share a tip on how to get more done in a day and how not to be overwhelmed by the enormous amount of task that is waiting for us each... Read More

As the song goes, this is the time to relax, rest, rejuvenate and reward yourself for all the hard work you've been doing. As they say, all work and no play makes Jack & Jill a very dull boy & girl. We all need time to relax and just "play."No matter how much you truly love and enjoy your work, it is necessary from time to time, to get away from it all. This may mean going on a trip,... Read More

A working manager needs more than time management.That old saying, "Dance with the one that brought you to the ball," came to mind as I received a reality jolt recently.Let me share with you that jolting insight. I was in transition away from managing several groups of technicians and professionals to more personal hands-on production management. My self-image and reputation lead me to assume that simply putting in the same hours in my usual efficient manner would do the trick.... Read More

Friends, colleagues, and clients are all telling me that one of their biggest challenges is trying to manage e-mail overload. They say everyone wants something from them and consequently, they're buried in e-mail. Is this a struggle for you? If so, here are a few tips that will save you some time in reading and receiving e-mail.1. Limit personal e-mail at work.Yes, this may seem a drastic step but it's one that will help you stay focused on priorities so... Read More

Time, time, time. It seems there is never enough of this precious life support. In a previous story about time, I quoted the following aphorism:TIME IS MY FRIEND, TIME IS MY ALLY I HAVE ALL THE TIME I NEED FOR EVERYTHING I WANT TO DO.I received a lot of grateful responses and some questions, indicating just how hard it is to balance our time requests these days. I want to respond to a subscriber who said she... Read More

There are two types of time killers in everyone's life. Unless you deal with both, you'll lose productive time every single day and be a lot less effective than you could be.Some time killers are more of less common to most people. This article will tell you more about how to deal with them.Apart from that, there are also other time killers that are highly specific to each individual. They have to do with your habits, personality and working style.To... Read More

In most organizations, meetings are often the biggest time-wasters. With a bit of planning, it's possible to both shorten the time spent in meetings and to make that time more productive. Here's how.* Let all participants know why you're holding the meeting, what's to be accomplished and what each participant is being called upon to contribute. This should be communicated well before the meeting.* If any of the participants need to do preparatory work before the meeting, mention that fact.... Read More

If you can motivate yourself at will to get any task done, you'll have taken a huge step towards managing your time better. There are several practical ways to increase your motivation.There are a couple of facts to remember about human beings in general. One, newness is a great spur to motivation. Think about when you took up a new job. Everything was fresh and you applied yourself to your work with great enthusiasm.But that wore out after a few... Read More

If you're like most people, you want to get better at managing your time, whether at work or at home. The question is, do you know where to start?Unless you have a clear idea of where you are right now, no road map is going to help you get to your destination. That's why, before you can think about managing your time well, you need to analyze how you're using your time today.Let's backtrack a bit. Have you ever made... Read More

In this world there is something more precious than gold. Diamonds? No. Platinum? No. Some other precious metal? No.Of course, it would depend who you might ask. Many would mention the alternatives I've already given. If you asked a drowning man he would undoubtedly say a life-buoy. If you asked a thirsty person stranded in the desert they would say water. And if you asked a person grieving over a lost loved one they would answer in that manner. All... Read More