One of our most precious commodities is ‘time’. We often find ourselves over extended or over committed. There are many techniques to help us to improve the way we manage our time. Below are some strategies for better time management.
First, try prioritizing your tasks, and be ruthless about it. Sometimes we all allow ourselves to get overwhelmed with the sheer number of tasks we have agreed to complete. To prevent this, we can allocate some simple measurements that allow us to see the big picture and prioritize:
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- Importance: A/High, B/Medium, C/Low
- Urgency: 1/High, 2/Medium, 3/Low
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Always work on the most urgent and important goals and tasks (A1) first, and then work down your list as you can.
Next there is Pareto’s Law (the 80/20 rule). Pareto reminds us that 80% of results come from 20% of actions. It’s a way of focusing our minds when it comes to making decisions. We ask ourselves whether, or not, we’re concentrating on the 20% of activities that will provide the 80% of desired results. If not, take steps to change what you’re doing until you are.
Finally, try using the 4D System and stop procrastinating. The 4D System is this:
Drop it:
What is the impact of not doing the task? Consider the 80/20 rule; maybe it doesn’t need to be done at all.
Delegate it:
If the task is important, ask yourself if it’s really something that you are responsible for doing. Can the task be given to someone else?
Delay:
If the task is one that can’t be completed quickly and is not a high priority, is delaying it an option?
Do:
Postponing an important task that needs to be done only creates feelings of anxiety and stress. Do this one now!
Some people will be naturally drawn to one of these techniques; others might be comfortable with all three. Whatever works for you is ok. The really important thing is to commit to improving your strategies for better time management.
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