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Hello Ann
If you're one of the many who returned to Standard Time recently, I'd like to know what you did with that extra, elusive hour? You may have enjoyed it that Sunday, and maybe even that Monday (unless you have children or pets who are still on Daylight Savings Time) - but I'm guessing that hour is long gone!
How Are You Managing Your Time?
When I’m giving a presentation on time management I often open by asking attendees to brainstorm the things that come to mind when they hear the phrase “time management." Common responses often include “time is money,” “the early bird gets the worm,” and many other similar idioms linking time to profit and productivity.
But what is time management? Can you really manage time? I think we all have the same 24 hours in a day, the same 60 minutes in an hour, and so on.
The way I like to describe time management is as self-management.
It's YOUR Choice
When you and I don’t make conscious decisions about how to allocate our time, we allow the world to dictate what happens in those seconds, hours, and weeks. We each HAVE THE POWER to choose how we use our time. But how do we begin to take control of the way we use our time? By creating systems or routines that we remain faithful to during our day.
Our schedule is the place where our choices and our systems come together. It's our guide. If we use it faithfully, it will support us in evaluating and prioritizing our choices and help us keep all aspects of our system in alignment.
A great area for creating new systems, because it’s often a huge source of time wasting, is our email routine. Interested in tips concerning saving time and defeating the morning inbox? Read my recent blog article about Reducing Email Overwhelm.
Quick Self-Management Tips
- Say “no” more often: Don’t feel pressured to do it all. Whether it’s a social function or an extra project at work, do yourself a favor and reflect before agreeing. If the task at work doesn’t seem right for your skill set, or your workload is unyielding, practice deflection and delegation. Always be honest about your feelings and obligations.
- Prioritize your tasks: At the beginning of each day assess your to-do list and eliminate tasks that are unnecessary.
- Schedule time to rewind: Have a daily coffee break, take a short walk, or even indulge in an early evening catnap—“me time” is essential to being productive and clear minded.
- Limit distractions: Before you get started on important or daunting tasks consider what you can do to avoid distractions, such as turning your phone off, disconnecting your computer from the internet, or shutting your door. Make a promise to yourself not to be shaken until you’re finished.
The Challenge
When you wake up tomorrow and you’re sitting at the breakfast table enjoying your first sip of your morning beverage of choice, take a look at your schedule for the day and consider whether or not you can eliminate any of your tasks.
When is your most productive time of day? Whether it’s the morning, midday, or the afternoon, schedule your most daunting task for this time. This way, you will be more likely to check this item off of your list once and for all.
Can you identify a daily habit or practice that routinely eats up your time? Perhaps you have a propensity to get sucked into LinkedIn, or maybe you indulge in a few too many lengthy emails. Whatever it may be, make a resolution to cut back on timewasters and put your day to better use.
Interested in more time management tips? Click here to learn how executive assistants can save time (These tips can apply to most anyone!)
Social Style Tip of the Day
How Do Expressive Style People Like to Use Their Time?
Expressive Style individuals are fast-paced, but they are also relatively undisciplined in their use of time. When interacting with them, you can expect to get rapidly involved in whatever issue is on their mind. They move quickly, but can change direction and focus quickly. Be friendly with them, but help narrow choices and come to agreement on specifics. And remember, specific timeframes are merely guidelines for these individuals, so prepare to use more time than you otherwise might.
Copyright TRACOM Corporation 2010
 Follow me on Twitter for more Social Style tips.
Join Me
Recently, I published a blog article about bringing FUN back. In the spirit of having more fun, I’d like to invite you to enjoy some local artwork with me. Enjoying local talent and culture while expanding my perspective sure puts a spark in my day!
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CONTEMPLATING DEEP WATERS by artist Marcia Soderman. The link to her wesbite is: http://mnartists.org/search.do?action=list
What are people saying?
Ann’s coaching style and strategy have helped me in both my personal and professional life. I have a very clear direction as well as specific goals and expectations of myself and the others around me. Nothing seems impossible at this point. Here is the best thing--not all days are the same; however, on the bad days I have the ability and tools to make them as good and complete as I wish. That is very powerful!
Rick Ferraro
President, Spectrum Sign Systems
About Ann
With more than 20 years of experience as a corporate leader, Ann brings an integrated-systems perspective to any discussion or situation and a straightforward, practical approach to coaching and consulting. Ann's unique and varied career and educational experiences allow her to quickly identify and communicate interrelationships among issues, people, and complex organizational systems. Her positive outlook, energy, and participative leadership style enable her to inspire, motivate, and develop leadership in others.
 

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