Peter Hanley looks at Effective Time Management strategies and adds two hours a day to your work and play. It's a productive time to achieve massive results
Let's cut to the chase.
We all waste time, we waste at least two or more hours on things that matter to no one least of all you.
Wikipedia says it is all up to you.
I don't want to be rude here and point the finger directly at you but sometimes we need a shakeup, So let's do it.
Procrastination is the biggest hurdle you have.
Why do I say this because we all do it, jobs we put off, too big to handle, need some more background, someone else doesn't like it blah blah.
First up we have to think about it several times a day, put in our to do list, talk about it, go into contemplation etc.
So, either do it now, make a plan and follow it or take it off the list.
Fun distractions
The internet is a master of distractions. We have news and sport. Facebook, Instagram, emails and so many others popping up all the time.
The problem is not reading the current event but getting lost in the system.
I get a couple of news releases with a heading that makes you read them there and now. Then cleverly they have another dozen articles that you just have to follow as well because they have targeted your reading.
Like the Facebook news feed. As you read you scroll deeper and deeper to find more great posts and take up time.
Understand your time and control it
People and Problems
Getting involved in other peoples lives and problems has a time and place.
I have my wife come by and tell me tales that are really important to her but usually in the middle of something important to me.
Now I can't say go away to her or others so it sometimes is a problem that I must control.
I can offer lame excuses like I am busy, or can we do this later but that has a rejection effect and I get paid back later.
I try and get through the disruption as quickly as possible and take it as one of my mini-breaks.
Mini breaks
Working in batches maintains your complete attention for a period of time. When I am writing I go for 45 minute periods and then take a small break. Think about what I have done and what needs my concentration next.
Sometimes a bit longer sometimes shorter but I usually have an objective in mind.
It might be to complete a project, expand on one or achieve a certain objective or item on a checklist.
Allocating time to demand
This may sound difficult but it is very necessary.
I run a day business, an online business and create new projects all with things to do.
My first project is to set everything into place for my daily business. They then have all day for action and results.
My new projects are for the end of the day because they are future items.
My online business is between these in a quiet zone or time of lower activity.
All around this are priorities as they happen. The sale must be completed immediately. Done and finished so I can move on. They can not linger.
Working with a to do list
You can google this to your heart's content. Ways to make a list, colour coding, time allocation and priorities.
I find all of these time-consuming.
Yes, I have a list. It is pretty basic and sits on a daily planner page and they get crossed off.
My question to myself is what is going to have the biggest impact by doing it now.
For example, everyday I do a bulk email to a list I own. Sometimes it is newsletter style sometimes a segregated list that I want to sell to, but this is always a priority. Nothing will happen until it is done and sent.
Thinking about it does not fix it, only your action will achieve anything.
When I talk about social media in business and marketing I find that most business owners make it a must-do thing. Pick a quiet time over the next few days and catch up.
The problem is that all this activity is responsible for people walking in the door.
So you stop this activity and somewhere in the next few weeks you will have an activity slump and say things are quiet.
They are because you stopped the momentum.
Of course, you can't change some activities but look at what makes you money and work on that first.
Start a tad earlier or stay a bit later but do the things that make a difference.
It's your world of control.
Let me first say this is all written from experience. I am not a PhD in the process nor qualified academically to advise you and neither do I wish to.
The reason is we are all different and have various things that pull in a multitude of ways.
The common element is timewasting and avoidance that affect our days.
I am happy to put exercise into the start of my day (the beach at 6.30 am) because it provides me greater enthusiasm for problems or tasks for the day.
I will always stop for lunch in a mini-break because nutrition keeps the energy up.
These are just part of the daily ritual and woven into the day's list.
When you are going on vacation and the time is coming close you aim to complete everything so you can go without worries. This high-performance period is done in a frenzy of activity and the slate usually gets cleared as you walk out the door.
What if this high energy period could be everyday?
It can if you do it in blocks of contribution without distractions.
Don't get drawn to every email and the general chatter until you want it.
It is interesting that after holidays the first week or so are usually quite slow. The reason is you have not produced your own work and it is slowly coming back to your anticipated level of industry
The conclusion to this
Try to end your day on a satisfactory level of input. Complete what has to be done and a few of the need be done as well so there is no great overhang until the next day.
Do your participation in timed blocks of complete dedication so you get the maximum effect.
If you are bored or tired, change to a more exciting module and shorten your time blocks.
Remember to do the things most likely to generate results and not the nice bits that take you away from the main game
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