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By Juliet du Preez You can manage your time and still seem to get nowhere. You could have a schedule and plans but, somehow it doesn’t appear to work. What you need is to manage your time effectively. Here are some areas where you may be slipping up. Who Should Be Doing It?Don’t just take on any task that comes your way. Make it a habit to pause, think and then decide if it fits in with your life. You need to learn how to say no. It does not help us in life to be influenced by fear of rejection or hurting others or appearing self-centered.Delegation is often something that is forgotten or we are too scared to take that step. You have to let go of the need to do everything yourself. Remember too, that the more you give to yourself, the more capacity you have for others. Get the Place TidyIf your environment is tidy you will waste less time looking for things and constantly attempting quick de-cluttering sessions. An organized environment means you can operate efficiently and the order will filter through into your activities.Think Less, Do MoreYou need to ensure that you don’t get trapped in the planning stage.This means you don’t spin your wheels over when to do something or how to start doing something. You have a schedule so that you know the when and if your find that you are procrastinating in some way, remember the next tip: Find Out Why You Aren’t Getting It DoneWhenever you find that you are not getting round to doing something, ask yourself why that may be.Is it because you don’t feel confident about doing it, or you think it will take too much time, or it doesn’t fit in with your goals? Once you find the reason, you can determine the best way in which you can handle it. Perhaps you need to get someone to help you or make the task less overwhelming.
Find ShortcutsThere are often shortcuts; it’s just that sometimes we are so used to performing an activity in a certain way that we don’t even question it. Let’s look at an example: internet banking. There are many who took quite some time to start using it or who are even still not yet using it.Perhaps the technology seems daunting or they are afraid that it is not secure; whatever the case, it is an amazing saver of time. Have a relook at the activities in your life. Are there simpler and faster ways of achieving the same result? Multitask – Where AppropriateMultitasking can often be counterproductive but, if you use it properly, it can be a time-saver. For example, making calls while driving or you exercising with a friend. There are occasions when you can successfully kill two birds with one stone.
Reassess RegularlyOur lives change and with that our time management systems need to change. Make sure that you are always aware as to what areas of your system may no longer be working as well and make the required changes to get you back on an optimum schedule.Make sure that you aren’t just managing your time. You also need to be effective in managing your tasks; otherwise you need to rework your plan. Return to Effective Time Management Personal Time Management ArticlesOvercoming Procrastination Create a To-do List Goal Setting Skills Prioritizing Skills |