Page 3 - Top 20 Tips to Time Management

• Calendars and planners are only helpful if they are used regularly. Plan your exercise classes and double-check your calendar before booking lunch with a friend. Bring your planner along to jot down important dates. Within a few days, you'll develop a new habit, and planning will become second nature.
4. Set and respect deadlines. If you're one of the many people who becomes stressed when a deadline approaches, factor in some extra time to complete the job ahead of schedule.
• If you miss a deadline at work, your boss holds you accountable, but what about all those unfinished projects at home? Engage a friend or spouse to assist you in completing these dreaded tasks. Accepting your mistakes is complex, and as a result, you'll work harder to avoid informing a partner that you missed another deadline.
5. Focus on one thing at a time. For years, experts extolled the virtues of "multitasking," praising those who can juggle ten different tasks concurrently. Recent research indicates that multitasking frequently degrades the quality of work, even when completed ahead of schedule.
• Which sounds more productive: writing a five-page report in an hour or three hours while also responding to emails and phone calls? Concentrate on completing one task at a time to ensure that you get things done and off your plate.
6. Limit your distractions. Are you an
addict to computer solitaire, or are you constantly checking your email or instant messages every five minutes? Turning off email and instant messaging while you work and minimizing background distractions can help you focus on the task at hand. You'll be surprised at how much more work you can accomplish without being interrupted every five minutes.
• Specific individuals will argue that music helps them think and concentrate better. Unless you find yourself singing more than you work, there is no reason to turn off the music if this method works for you. That is a fairly clear indication that you should refocus your efforts on something other than the music.
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