You can't manage what you won't schedule!

For most people their most critical challenges is the effective use of time.

Have you noticed that some people accomplish a lot more in a day than others?

When people do a time use study they're appalled at how little time they spend being productive, and how much time they can't account for.

"Putting out fires" detracts from time for managing and building the business and;

"Firefighting" leaves managers so exhausted they just want to "veg out" for a while.

Or

So exhilarated that they spend a couple of hours indiscriminately kicking butt.

Either way, productivity suffers.

Big time!

Managers spending time in investigation, scenario building and analysis, leave little time to get anything done.

Ever sat through a meeting wondering "why am I here?"... knowing the answer is, "I'm a manager."?

Work out the cost of a dozen managers spending four hours in a meeting "just because"!

Often come out of a meeting fearing your department may have "burned down"?

Time management skill = the ability to say "no".

It's easier to say "no" at the appropriate time if you know what you're trying to accomplish, and your time is committed for the important things.

Think about it.

If you schedule every minute of every day for important things, there'll be no time left for unimportant things!

AND;

If you do the important things before they became urgent, you'll never have to put out any "fires"!

"Fires" are the result of important things not getting done until they become a crisis!

Too simple?

All of your time is going to get used up!

If you don't schedule it...someone will!

here are a few time management tips.

Get a handle on the five or six most important things you do at work and;

Consistently schedule most of your time to do those things, and;

Learn the personal discipline to stick to your schedule.

I can unconditionally promise you will become more productive.

I am not asking you to schedule every minute of every day - that would be life in hell!

But:

If it's important to you, and;

If you're not doing it;

Schedule it!

That includes a dinner out with your spouse, an afternoon with the grandchildren or a game of golf.

Investing in time management training can pay huge dividends at work and away!

Len McNally