Time
management tips
Time Management Tips FreeWe have gathered time management tips from lots of areas and all for free. Go through the list of tips. We are sure some of them will help you.
Clear your desk and plan your activities for the next day.
First list your ‘time specific items, e.g. meetings and then write down the tasks you have to complete.
Once you have prioritized your tasks, make a ‘to do’ list and work through the items in priority order.
Ensure that you have given yourself sufficient time to complete your ‘to do’ list, taking into account your daily interruptions.
Do difficult jobs first, when you are at your best. Look after minor jobs when you are tired.
Fix deadlines for all jobs and stick to them. A task should only take the time set aside for it.
Do not postpone important matters that are unpleasant. Jobs rarely get more pleasant by being postponed. Do it now!
Try to arrange set times for jobs such as going through the mail, talking with your manager or staff, computer input, etc.
Try to fix definite times when you would not like to be disturbed, and make the system work except for genuine emergencies.
Plan your telephone calls. Make a brief note of what you want to say and what you want to find out. It saves time later.
If you have several phone calls to make, do them all in a burst.
When you start a piece of work, try to finish it without interruptions. If you have to finish it later, you will lose time picking up where you left off.
Arrange your breaks at times when you cannot work effectively.
Plan some time for discussing routine matters with your colleagues. Then you avoid interrupting each other all the time.
Learn to say ‘No’. Get used to asking yourself ‘Am I the right person for this job?’
Monitor how you use your time, and make conscious changes to your behavior.
Stress and fatigue are rarely caused by the things you have done, but by the thought of what you haven’t done!
Make a habit of finishing the main job of the day before you go home.
CLEAR YOUR DESK!
Discard all non relevant documents (up to 85% of the documents retained by an organisation will never be looked at again).
Remove all items from desk (each piece of paper on your desk will distract your attention 5 times a day).
Reorganize your shelves; give preference to cupboard and shelves rather than filing cabinets (25% space saving).
Identify, reorganize and re-label all your files clearly.
Avoid fat files by all means; you ale better off sub-dividing subjects and grouping these sub-files into a large filing box.
Use color coding facilities (e.g. red/marketing, green/customers, etc)
Never hold on a phone call. Instead agree a time to ring back or leave a message and your phone number.
If someone is unavailable find out the best time to call back, or leave your number.
If you need to make regular calls agree upon a mutually beneficial time.
Learn to leave clear messages on other people's answerphones. Always leave your name and phone number if you want them to ring you back.
Always keep a pen and pad by the phone.
Keep an active-to-do list: As mentioned earlier, update your to-do list at the beginning and at the end of each workday to assure that you bring all the support materials you need home with you.
Always be prepared to telecommute: As described earlier, carry a remote work satchel containing tasks and assignments you can work on when at home.
Don't waste time in traffic: When you go into the office or schedule appointments, drive during off-peak hours to prevent wasted time. Keep self-improvement, foreign language, or quiet music tapes in the car for those times you cannot avoid traffic.
Use mass transit: Another way to prevent wasting time in traffic is to take transit to meetings, events, the airport, and any other place accessible by bus, trolley, ferry, subway, or train. I get some of my most productive reading done when I am on transit, and you could too.
Work efficiently: Develop a work pattern that sequences work tasks needing focused attention to avoid doing too many things at once. Keep simple tasks at arm's length to work on when you're waiting for the computer to reboot or a report to print.
Pay attention, do it right, and do it once: When discussing plans or taking instructions, especially with your manager, listen carefully and repeat them back to assure that you understood each other.
Stay organized and keep up with filing: Establish a paper and electronic system to prevent wasting time and to find things when you need them. Keep your filing up-to-date.
Improve efficiency through technology tools: Look for ways that technology can increase your effectiveness rather than thwart it. Since uninterrupted time is the telecommuter's nirvana, don't buy a beeper if you don't have to and use a cell phone as an emergency backup only.
Set up an automatic follow-up system: If you do not have a contact manager program with a follow-up feature, develop a "follow up" accordion file numbered 1 through 31 placing "things to do" under the appropriate day of the month. Use this system for commitments made by others, for follow-up calls, for proposals and letters, and for general reminders.
Be prudent and frugal with your time: Allow enough time between obligations and be prepared to say no to activities outside your priority list.
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