Time Management

[freedom.project]

I personally have a problem with time management. I was just wondering if anyone has any advice for me on how to manage my time better. Should I do it hour by hour for everything I'm going to be doing that day or should I just write down appointments as they come up. Any other suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

Also, If you can recommend a good book, that would also help out a lot.

Thanks,

Steven A. Ruddell

[BusinessAdviser]

Time management comes down to two issues:

1) Organization

2) Self-discipline

Organization - You need to first organize your life. I have found Franklin Covey products to be very helpful. You needn't spend large amounts of money to be organized, but the key is that you do SOMETHING to organize yourself and your time.

Self-discipline - Once you have organized your time, you must have the self-discipline to stick to your organized plans.

[freedom.project]

I've checked out Franklin Covey products. They seem amazing but for some reason, I always go with the cheaper day planner.

In your opinion, should I plan my day hour by hour? Or do you know of other ways that work better.

[BusinessAdviser]

I have found that, as long as you can be disciplined, planning hour by hour is great. No need to spend the big bucks for a Franklin Covey. The key is to get organized in whatever way works for you.

[Finandom]

Hi Steven,
I'm also trying my best to figure out the time management strategies that work with me. So far here are the tips that working with me:

1. Set a monthly goal, weekly goal and daily goal. So I know what kind of tasks I must accomplish.
2. I think you should have a few tasks on hands. Regroup them and set priorities for them. Usually I regroup them into the 4 categores: Urgent & Important / Urgent but not important / Not urgent but important / Not Urgent & Important. I learn this skill from Steven Covey, in his book The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People
3. Then I use Google Calendar to plan my weekly task ahead. I'm setting my time table hourly and after setting it, I just follow the timetable to accomplish my task. So far this is the best way clear my mind from overwhelmed and block me from taking action.
4. In my time table, I try my best to fix a few hours for those tasks in the categories of Urgent and important / Not Urgent but Important. This is because those tasks inside the categories are important for my projects. I think you should too.
5. I will become flexible with my other time and change my time table accordingly. I can tell you that our life is funny and it can not be set. So I will change my time table accordingly but not the few fixed hours that I mentioned just now.
6. Every weekend, spend a few hours to review your time planning and modify it to find a better management system. I can tell you that I always change my strategies on time management.

I hope my experience can help you.

[OnTheWayUp]

Time management comes down to two issues:

1) Organization

2) Self-discipline

Organization - You need to first organize your life. I have found Franklin Covey products to be very helpful. You needn't spend large amounts of money to be organized, but the key is that you do SOMETHING to organize yourself and your time.

Self-discipline - Once you have organized your time, you must have the self-discipline to stick to your organized plans.

Franklin Covey has great workshops to go to, although expensive ($799 per person, not including other fees) but these programs will help tremendously.

Franklin Covey has great books plus a wide variety of articles at their site, www.franklincovey.com about organization, management, and planning. I'm currently in charge at my job in setting up a workshop to fit our management needs (Improvement).

JMenq, did you attend any workshops or did you read Stephen Covey's book?

We are attending the 7 habits workshop.

[Woodcs82]

You nailed that right on the head!

Organization is HUGE, if you cant get yourself organized you will never get ahead. Try creating a daily routine for yourself and religiously follow it.

You def. need the discipline as well.

Best of luck.

Time management comes down to two issues:

1) Organization

2) Self-discipline

Organization - You need to first organize your life. I have found Franklin Covey products to be very helpful. You needn't spend large amounts of money to be organized, but the key is that you do SOMETHING to organize yourself and your time.

Self-discipline - Once you have organized your time, you must have the self-discipline to stick to your organized plans.

[mbolton2181]

I find Mozilla Sunbird, a calendar and digital planner program that is free, to be incredibly useful. Now that I joined several clubs on campus I need to use my time better and this program makes it much easier.

[Cole Taylor]

If you need to manage your time you have to much time on your hands, work harder.

[BusinessAdviser]

Franklin Covey has great workshops to go to, although expensive ($799 per person, not including other fees) but these programs will help tremendously.

Franklin Covey has great books plus a wide variety of articles at their site, www.franklincovey.com about organization, management, and planning. I'm currently in charge at my job in setting up a workshop to fit our management needs (Improvement).

JMenq, did you attend any workshops or did you read Stephen Covey's book?

We are attending the 7 habits workshop.

I have neither attended a workshop nor read Covey's book. However, I purchased the organizer and made a point to read through all the helpful literature that came with it regarding how most effectively to use the planner.

[BusinessAdviser]

If you need to manage your time you have to much time on your hands, work harder.

This doesn't make sense to me. It seems to me that the less free time you have on your hands, the greater need to manage your time effectively. Interesting thought though.

[cjsampson77]

I would look into the numerous websites dedicated to the getting things done, or GtD method of time management. Another site that I have found with some great tips is zenhabits.

I can't say that I have implemented any of them, but they all have some really good ideas