Time Tips

Time Tips

Time tips: Paperwork
After prioritization aim only to pick a piece of paper up if you mean to finish working with it then. Don't be a paper shuffler. When in doubt, throw it out. Have on your desk, only the item(s) you are dealing with NOW. Memos are not for dialogue.

Time tips: Procrastination
DO IT NOW If a job is too big chop it into manageable chunks. Schedule nasty jobs for specific times and reward yourself on completion If you have to eat a frog don't look at it too long. If you have to eat two frogs, eat the big one first.

Time tips: Telephones
Stop letting it run your life.
Plan your calls Give specific call back times and stick to them. If interrupted by a call during a task, write down what you are thinking BEFORE answering the call, you will then know where you left off. Remember that the person who makes the call has the psychological 'right' to terminate it. It is better to ring back so that you have that right. Keep to the point after minimal pleasantries. You don't always have to answer.

Time tips: Meetings
Allocate start and finish times Hold them standing up Agendas should be complete - what is to be discussed, what result is to be expected etc. PLAN! Don't hold them in your office Invite ONLY the appropriate people

Time tips: Self
Ask yourself all the time, 'Is what I am doing at this minute, moving me towards my objectives?'. If not, don't do it. If you have a lot of un-plannable interruptions, plan for the average or the maximum number. Select your prime time, that during which you operate best. Some of us are morning people, some afternoon; plan for your best time so that you get your high yield jobs done then. Remember that time is a non-renewable resource. Plan 'If only' days - 'If only I had the time to...'