Ten Steps To Manage Your Time And Get Things Done
In today's busy world, many people have difficulty managing
their time and getting everything done. Some people are
very busy, but they never manage to achieve the things they
really want. Others never get anything done.
 
Some people are late for everything in their lives and
don't know why. Have you ever noticed that people who are
late are always late – there is a pattern. The same is true
for punctual people – they are nearly always punctual –
they too have a pattern
 
There are some basic steps that people can take to improve
their chances of getting done what they want and need to
get done. Here are 10 steps.
 
1. Stop talking time - talk priorities. Time is finite –
everyone has the same amount so there is no point in saying
you don't have time – you do. What differs from one person
to the next, is their priorities and how they allocate
their time.
 
2. Make sure that you know the top 3 things you must get
done today - work on them first! If nothing else gets done,
make sure these top 3 do get done. Work on them first.
 
3. Stop procrastinating. Adopt this mantra - Just do it -
and do it now! Procrastination is defined as putting off
what needs to be done. There is only one way to stop
procrastinating – just stop!
 
4. Make sure you work to live, not live to work! Get a
life!  Make sure that your life and well-being comes before
your work.  A cast iron guarantee is that at your funeral,
no-one will thank you for spending more time at work. Be
balanced!
 
5. Studies have shown that many workaholics die early!
Don't be one of them. If you are working 7 days a week or
if you are working 55 – 60 hours or more each week then you
are a high risk workaholic. If you work seven days and more
than 60 hours then you better have a good insurance policy
and have told your family about the funeral you want! The
most common reason which causes workaholics to stop working
is their first heart attack. Sadly only 50% wake up from it
to have the chance to make a decision to change. Having
made the change, without exception people say "I should
have done this years ago!"
 
6. Remove the clutter from your life. Get rid of everything
– stuff, responsibilities, even people – that do not
contribute positively or enrich your life. Start by
clearing your workspace.
 
7. Work on effectiveness first, then worry about
efficiency. Effectiveness is doing the right things.
Efficiency is doing things right. It doesn't matter how
efficient you are if you are working on the wrong thing! Be
effective first, then worry about efficiency and you'll
find that it will fall into place. Remember just because
you are busy, doesn't make you effective or successful.
 
8. Be prepared to change. The one thing that is certain is
that change will only increase, not decrease. If you are
going to be more productive, then remember the definition
of insanity – doing the same thing in the same way and
expecting a different result! Take an honest look at your
attitude to change and if you rate yourself lower than 5
out of 10 then work hard at – wait for it – changing your
attitude about change. No-one does things the same today as
they did 5 or 10 years ago. Use change to your advantage –
don't fight it - you'll lose!
 
9. Become a list writer. Keep a list of everything you need
to do and then constantly prioritise and re-prioritise it.
Use technology to your advantage. If you are using
Microsoft Outlook (different from Outlook Express), then
learn and use the "Task" tools. Outlook will increase your
effectiveness more than you can imagine – if you use it
seriously!
 
10. Be willing to say "no". Put yourself, family and
friendships/relationships as the highest priority. Make
sure you re-charge your batteries regularly, not run them
to empty. Say "yes" to the people who really matter, and
spread yourself sensibly among everyone and everything
else. In spite of what you may think – you are not
indispensable!
 
 
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David Julian Price is an experienced speaker, trainer,
business coach and mentor. He trains, coaches and consults
with people from all walks of life on how to get more out
of their day and increase their productivity. David's
no-nonsense approach makes him a sought after speaker,
trainer and facilitator. He is an accomplished
international speaker.  David can be contacted at
 
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