10 Tips to Manage Your Time More Effectively

If you are like most of us, you have tons of “to dos” on your plate and short timelines for all! Here are 10 tips on how to manage your time effectively without driving yourself crazy.

1. Keep a “to do” list and prioritize it on a daily basis – use a daily planner or an electronic tool to manage and track your “to do” list.
2. Schedule time on your calendar to work on your projects – block at least 2 – 3 hour increments (no phone, no email, no internet).
3. Set aside an hour in the morning to review and answer emails.
4. Set aside an hour mid-afternoon to respond to phone calls.
5. If someone “pops in” while you are working, explain you have a deadline and schedule time to devote to them later in the day or the next day.
6. For larger projects, develop a project plan with detailed task lists and milestones to reach.
7. Stay organized – keep your files – whether on your desk, in the cabinet or on the computer – in order and properly labeled so you can find what you need quickly.
8. Set goals of what is important to you and what you want to accomplish – if something is unimportant or non-value-add – remove it from your list of things to do.
9. Too much going on regularly – keep a notebook of everything you do over a week time period to determine where you are spending time that isn’t productive.
10. Learn how to delegate – you don’t have to do it all yourself.

And…maybe this is #11…take time to relax!  Exercise, eat well and get plenty of sleep (all the things your Mom told you!)  It will help you to focus and you’ll feel energized and ready to take on the world!

Add to the list!  What are some tips and tricks you use to manage your time more effectively? Share in the Comments field below.  Thanks!