Managing Your Time

I’m late, I’m late, for a very important date! There never seems to be enough time to get everything done… and if you feel that way, you are correct. Senior Strategic Partner, Charles Parnell helps us to understand that Time is a fixed commodity. There are only 24 hours in a day and 365 days in a year. The essence of time management is to recognize this fact and to learn how to make effective choices in how we will spend this precious commodity. Enjoy this week’s Power Idea.

It is a fact that successful people are effective time managers (ETMS). They understand the value of executing effective time management tool strategies and principles. Time is a fixed asset. We all have 168 hours per week to live (7 days per week x 24 hours per day). It must be said emphatically – to waste your time is to waste your life. The questions that are asked and that require candid answers are: Do you manage your time or does it manage you? Do you stay on top of things or do they stay on top of you? To a very large degree, your success will depend on whether or not you manage the art of effective time management.

Time management experts have identified the following business time wasters:
• Emails
• Meetings
• Drop in visitors
• Ineffective delegation practices
• Unclear assignments
• Procrastination
• Personal disorganization
• Ineffective coordination of tasks
• Unclear communication

The challenge is to understand these time wasters and to develop and execute an Action Plan to address them. This will result in the successful attainment of organizational strategic goals.

The following are time management principles developed and discussed by time management experts:
• Set six-month goals
• Develop an ABC priority system for tasks to work on
• Handle each piece of paper one time
• Do it now
• Develop and execute a Things to Do List
• Use the 80/20 rule
• Use the Swiss Cheese method – break tasks into smaller pieces
• Ask yourself – What is the best use of my time right now?
• Use tools – a day timer, planner or software. Outlook is a great tool that allows you to track emails, contacts, tasks and appointments.

As you develop plans for the use of time in your work, you will discover that the majority of problems you face have to do with time itself, rather than the complexity of your tasks. Effective use of your time gives you freedom rather than restricting you. As you continue with your career, you will be asked to perform at a higher level and with greater quality. The effective use of your time will be of paramount importance. So develop and execute a plan to become an Effective Time Manager (ETM). You will observe an upward movement in your organizational success and your personal happiness.

If you would like to learn more, we invite you to contact us at info@hpisolutions.com for a free consultation.