Time Management

Here are some tips to help you become active and proactive with your time.

stick to the plan 1- Maintain a to-do list

Create a to-do list and make it a habit to continually update it. Include urgent and non-urgent items so you'll never forget or overlook anything again. Carry your list with you at all times, either in your iPhone or your daily agenda. Also, be sure to break down your projects and assignments into specific action points.

2- Allocate your time

Include an estimated time frame for each action point and the date by which the task must be completed. If the order in which you perform the tasks doesn't matter, you might be able to accomplish something during unexpected pockets of free time. For instance, you could research information on the internet while waiting in your office for a conference call to begin.

3- Set and respect deadlines

Be realistic about setting deadlines and strive to meet them. It's true that any task takes the exact amount of time allotted to it. Have you ever noticed how quickly you can blitz through paperwork, delegate assignments and make decisions on the last day before your vacation? Although we tend to get a lot done when we're under pressure, it is a lot less stressful and considerably more professional to establish and stick to an action plan.

avoid wasting time 4- Use your time wisely

Consider accessing your e-mail only at certain times of the day and let your voice mail pick up your calls to give you an uninterrupted hour or two. If possible, never touch the same piece of paper or e-mail twice. Do not open your mail unless you have time to read it and take action on it; that is, reply to it, delegate it, file it or discard it.

5- Get organized

Organize your desk, your hard-copy and computer files and your e-mail folders so you can find things easily. Far too much time is wasted searching for lost information.

6- Stay on task

Have a clearly designated "in" basket so people do not put things on your desk randomly. Have you ever returned from a meeting to find extra files, letters and documents all over your desk? Instead of following your own schedule, you probably became sidetracked by someone else's priorities.

7- Avoid disruptions

If you have a door, close it occasionally. Having an "open-door policy" for your staff is self-defeating if you don't have the time to really listen to their questions and concerns. If a coworker comes to your desk when you're too busy to chat, ask to set an alternate time to meet.

streamline teamwork 8- Collaborate and cooperate

Colleagues will expect your work to be done on time, so be sure to avoid any delays. You'll have the same expectations of them. To be safe, build extra time into the project time line to counteract unexpected snags, miscommunications or missed deadlines. If your presentation date is the 25th of the month, make sure you have everything scheduled for completion by the 23rd.

9- Avoid unnecessary follow-ups

If you pass the buck or assign work  to someone else, let it go unless it is your specific responsibility to oversee it. Too many men waste valuable time listening to or reading reports about someone else's project. If your colleagues' research or business responsibilities do not impact your day-to-day work, job performance or career goals, you should only express an interest by way of supportive conversation.

10- Cancel routine meetings

Determine if meetings are absolutely necessary. If they are, establish an agenda and stay on track -- start and end on time. If your presence is not essential for the entire weekly operations review meeting, ask your  boss privately if it might be appropriate for you to excuse yourself early.

maintain your focus 11- Keep busy

Keep your skills sharp by having at least one project on the go at all times. Two or more is even better, as it gives you the opportunity to switch gears and concentrate on something else for a change of pace. Working on different projects simultaneously ensures that you always have something to work on. It also keeps your mind active and your perspective fresh.

12- Pick your projects carefully

Make sure your work has value for the company and that it makes the best use of your skills. There may be good reasons to decline a request to sit on a committee or to refuse to take on an additional project; successful business professionals know how to say "no." Ask yourself, "Will this advance my career?" and "Am I able to commit the necessary time to this assignment?" You will earn a lot more respect by collaborating with a colleague whose expertise complements yours than by taking on additional work on your own, overburdening yourself and burning out.

13- Stop procrastinating

It's human nature to postpone unpleasant tasks. Schedule some of the more fun aspects of the project to follow the negative ones. If you dislike working with figures, plan to do the accounting tasks first thing in the morning when you're fresh and there are fewer opportunities for distraction. If you continually put things off and miss deadlines, perhaps you should look carefully at your current job, your career goals, your strengths, and your interests. Habitual procrastination is often a sign of dissatisfaction.

14- Reward yourself

Time management is not entirely about work; it also involves scheduling some downtime to relax and recharge your batteries. Plan rewards once your tasks are completed. This could mean taking a coffee break as soon as you've finished reading the engineering specifications report or planning a vacation once the new product has been launched.

make time to succeed

Resolve to pay closer attention to how you spend your time. Watch how the business professionals you admire allocate their time and emulate some of their business practices. Avoid procrastination, maintain your focus and practice good organizational skills, and you'll earn respect and recognition in your career. Success comes to those who work hard and know how to manage their time well.

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There are a lot of improving our time management in which I found in some online software tutorials but then this is really a great things to read and be shared to others in handling time.

Time management is a set of principles, practices, skills, tools, and systems working together to help you get more value out of your time with the aim of improving the quality of your life.

The important point is that time management is not necessarily about getting lots of stuff done, because much more important than that is making sure that you are working on the right things, the things that truly need to be done.

Smart time managers know that there is much more to do than anyone could possibly accomplish. So instead of trying to do it all, smart time managers are very picky about how they spend their time.

They choose to focus and spend their time doing a few vital projects that will really make a difference, rather than spending all their time doing many trivial things that don't really matter all that much.