Have Effective Time Management

Do you spend your day feeling as if you are spinning your wheels and getting nowhere? Are you constantly interrupted by phone calls? Are you disorganized and frustrated because you waste too much time trying to locate information buried on your desk? If you answered yes to any of these questions, chances are good that you need some help with time management.

Time management isn't about keeping track of your time. It's about making changes to the way you spend your time. The key to successful time management is planning and protecting your time. These time management tips will help you do both, along with reducing your stress and increasing your productivity. What could be better than that?

Expose time bandits. Many of us fall prey to activities that steal our time. Before you can more effectively manage your time, you must first identify how you are spending your time. For one week, record your activities so you can form an accurate picture of what you actually do. Make note of personal calls, interruptions, technical issues, and anything that steals your time.

Create time management goals. Once you have determined your time bandits, the next step is to create time management goals. Let's say that you spend 15 hours each week communicating with others. Of those 15 hours, five are spent on personal calls. Set a goal that you're not going to take personal calls while you're working.

Use time management tools. There are many tools available to help you manage your time. You might want to use a software program that lets you keep track of meetings and events. Many people find that PDA's help them manage their time more effectively. Time management templates can easily be created using a word processing program. A Day-Timer or wall calendar can also be effective tools. Obviously, you want to use something that is simple and doesn't take much time, so choose the tool that is suitable for your needs.

Get organized. How much time do you waste searching for files on your desk, in filing cabinets or on your computer? Take the time to create a file management system and organize it to the point where you can quickly retrieve any information you need. Establish a routine of putting away files you're finished with and placing files you need for the next day on your desk before you leave. Even if it takes you an entire day to organize your information, it can end up saving you countless hours.

Prioritize. Most of us tend to have a mile-long list of things we want to accomplish. To become effective at time management, you need to create "mini" lists. For instance, if you have ten tasks and each takes three hours to complete, it's impossible for you complete them all. You'll need to determine how many of them you truly need to accomplish that day and set your sites on completing only those tasks. Start each day prioritizing tasks and setting performance goals.

You can be in control and accomplish what you want to accomplish - once you take control of your time.