Managing yourself in the time you have

Time Management is a bit of a misnomer.  We all have 24 hours in a day and 7 days a week and 52 weeks in a year.  Nothing we do can change the speed that time flows.

We can, however, manage ourselves and our task in the flow of that time.

1. Spend planned quality time with your family.

2. Clean out your office

3. Clear out old emails and digital files.

If you have not looked at them in 6 months, delete away.

4. Plan for next month

5. Plan for next quarter

6. Plan for next year

Planning is not something most people enjoy.  Still, it is essential to success.  During a time of uncertainty, planning is even more critical.

Having a basic plan in place for each of these time periods will give you a measure of control and a solid starting point when things settle to the new normal.

7. Reflect on what’s important and Create a Personal Vision 

I will include my guide to creating a Personal Vision at the end of this book.

You cannot truly do either unless you know what you actually want out of life.

We can make more money.

We can get more resources.

But we cannot create more time…right?

When discussing time creation or time management, there are a few truths we must agree on upfront.

You cannot manage time!  You can only and must manage yourself.       

Time flows at the same rate no matter what we do, all we can do is control our actions within that flow.

Everyone gets the same amount of time.                                                 
There are 60 minutes per hour, 24 hours per day for everyone.  The difference between those who are successful and those who are challenged is what they do during those minutes and hours.

Only you can control your time.                                                              
Whether you are the boss or an employee, you are responsible for your actions and how you use the time for whatever task is before you.

Now that we are all on the same page, we will start with Planning, then to Prioritizing and finally Pushback.                                                              

Plan Forward.  Often there will be items on your to-do list that you realize you will not be able to complete.  When you realize that is the case, plan forward.  The task is reassigned to a day in the future.  Not always the following day, but a time that it makes sense and still meets the deadline for that task. 

ʘ Plan time for your family and relaxation, this will make you more productive and frankly happier!

Prioritize based on your Values, those things that are truly most important to you; this is what changes a common to-do list into a productivity tool for business and the means to a higher quality home life. 

These tips will start you on the road to prioritizing like a pro.

Prioritize by the type of task.

 The work-related task should also be designated as one of three types of task:    

 Operations, Marketing, or Profit Generating. 

 ʘ Operations is the work that must be done so the product or service of the business can happen or be created. 

ʘ Marketing is encouraging prospects to buy the product or service.

 ʘ Profit Generating is the product or service that people actually pay to accomplish or have.