Time Management

If you talk to most people and ask them what they could use more of every day, most would say time.  Do you ever feel that there is just not enough time in your day to get everything done?  We all do, it is a common thought for many of us.  We all complain about not having enough time to get things done, but do we ever do anything to change how we go about our days and what we pack into them each day?  That is the difference between those who seem to get so much done every day and those of us who complain about not having enough time.  Those who seem to accomplish more are careful what they place on their schedule and don't complain about the schedule being out of control.

The first thing you can do to get more out of each day is to stop saying you don't have enough time to get everything done.  Every time you say or think I don't have enough time to get everything done and guess what, you don't.  When you think or say this about not having enough time you need to stop and then say or think to yourself, I do have enough time to get done what needs to be done.  By doing this you are retraining your brain to think positively and retraining your subconscious brain to think that you do have enough time.  When you tell your brain something day in and day out, it begins to believe it.  So you need to tell your brain what you want to do, not what you can't do.

Let's take a look at your calendar.  First and foremost keep in mind that it’s your calendar, and you are in charge of what goes on the calendar.  Yes I know there are things you have to do, but ultimately you have the power to determine what you do each day.  So when someone ask you to do something, it is okay to tell them that you will let them know later and it is perfectly okay to say no right then and there.  You are the only person who knows how much time you really have.

The first thing that needs to go on your schedule is your priorities.  So what are your priorities?  This is an important question to answer.  So if your priorities are family, then that is the first thing that should go on your schedule.  If your business is your priority, then those appointments go on first.  There is no judgment here, you need to decide what is most important to you, and you need to be comfortable with your choices, and not worry about what others think.

So the first things on your schedule are your priorities.  Next, began adding the other things on your calendar.  Also every day does not need to be maxed out.  Leave some time every day for the unexpected.  Not every day will b have unexpected problems, but enough will that you will be glad for the time to take care of them.

At the beginning of each day decide what is urgent.  Let's define urgent, urgent is what needs to be done, not what you think needs to be done.  The urgent things get done along with your priorities and then fill in with other things.

This is just a start on how to begin getting the most out of your day.  But starting with these simple steps will increase the day’s productivity tremendously.  

Renee Corbett is a Business Coach  with emphasis in internet marketing.