How to Strengthen Skills in Time ManagementHome » Techniques » Strengthening SkillsManage Your Time! 1! 2! 1! 2! To strengthen skills in time management, it is like any other new routine- it takes practice and repetition. If you’re just starting out, you may find it doesn’t come naturally. Setting goals, setting deadlines, keeping a good calendar system, planning your time: these may be driving you crazy. But they don’t have to. There are several ways to strengthen skills in time management. Learn a New SystemEvery few years I find myself changing my time management system. When I worked in a state cube farm, I had a planning system on my computer that was part of the state-wide email system.I used that for several years as a child welfare worker. When I left the state, I used the software from Franklin Planner. It worked on my PC and also had a great interface with my Palm Pilot. Then I started doing more graphics and bought a Mac. This necessitated a switch as the Franklin program wouldn’t run on my Mac. Each system I learn teaches me more about what I like and dislike about time management systems. Right now I use a system I’ve pieced together out of several tools I really like. It will probably change some day, but for what I’m doing now it works great. Read a BookThere are probably thousands of books out there on Time Management, Getting Things Done, and related topics. There are even more websites. If your system isn’t working for you, or you want more information and ideas, a book is a great place to start.ExperimentWhen I was less busy than I am now, I used the Uncalendar. It’s basically just pages for each day with undefined boxes you can use anyway you like. Since my primary responsibilities at that time were raising kids and taking care of a house, that was all I needed.When I went back to work, I found I needed something with more structure. Figure out what you need and then troll your local office supply store. Chances are good you’ll find something that works for you. Build Your Own SystemYou can spend hundreds of dollars on time management systems, computer programs, and other features like programs that keep track of billable hours or print invoices. But you don’t have to.A simple three ring binder with some tabs will suffice. I used to use these all the time and bought blank tabs. I could label them however I wanted to use them. When I was a journalist, I had Assignments, Ideas, Phone Book, and Calendar. My complete toolkit in one place. Of course, this was in the days before the Palm Pilot, cell phone, or ubiquitous laptop. I’d do it differently today. But it worked for me for a lot of years.Practice No system is going to work if you don’t use it. Get in the habit of reviewing your to do list at least once a day, before you start work. I review mine at night as well. That gives me two chances to focus on what I need to do plus a chance to review what I’ve accomplished. Once a week I like to sit down and do a thorough review. I make sure all my work is on the calendar for the coming week, I compare schedules with my partner to make sure we’re clear about each other’s weeks, and I re-evaluate my coming week. I may move things off a week if I can in order to reduce a cluttered week, or I may plan to get some things done earlier so I can take on more projects. The keys to strengthening your time management skills are good information, practice, and trial and error. With all the tools out there today, or at home on your computer or the Internet, there’s no reason not to have time management system that works just the way you want. Strengthen Skills in Time Management- Contributed by Susan L. More Resources to Help You Strengthen Skills in Time Management Browse this site for more resources which will help you strengthen skills in time management |