Changing my life … one habit at a time
What are YOUR Best Time Management Tips?
Posted by Pambie in Daily Rant & Rave on 03 30th, 2009 | 3 responses
Like a lot of people, I find myself continually working on time management issues.
I’ve tried out many methods with varying degrees of success, including a Palm Pilot (I’ve already got waaay too much technology in my life), a Daytimer and a Planner Pad (the Planner Pad works best for me — when I use it!).
I’m curious – what has worked for you and why? Leave me a comment and let me know!
3 Responses to “What are YOUR Best Time Management Tips?”
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By: Twitter Buttons
I’m a self-employed single mom recovering from 16 years in a hellish verbally and physically abusive marriage. I’ve worn a lot of hats in my life ...from eBay PowerSeller to caterer to nonprofit development director to admin assistant to model to owning a graphic design business to serving as marketing director for an architectural firm to political campaign treasurer. This blog will chronicle my recovery, using my self-designed 2 Habits a Week program. Read along as I strive to become a successful Internet Marketer/entrepreneur, a better mother and human being, and achieve the best body of my life (not necessarily in that order). Follow me on Twitter (2habitsaweek)!
Like you, I’ve tried many techniques and devices: Day Timer, calendar, alarms on cell phone, computer calendar, and a Palm device. I’ve never been able to keep them all coordinated. carrying an electronic device is usually inconvenient. My best method is simply remembering. It works as well as anything else and it’s more convenient.
I find that tools don’t matter. What matters is to keep in mind what is on my mind. What I mean is, start the day with two or three major things you need to/want to get done and don’t ignore what is really pre-occupying you. Often, my to-do list gets lip service at best, because my mind is really dealing with something else. Unless I deal with that (even to defer it, in writing) it will keep bugging me.
For appointments I use Outlook and have it remind me. I use it for all my email accounts too and flag any emails I need to do something with. I keep them that way until the task is done. I gave up on electronic “to do” lists. Instead, I use a regular notepad. I put the date at the top of the first page. Then I write a work related “to do” list down the left side. I write short notes regarding home stuff or things to remember like errands in a small space on the right. When something’s done, I cross it off. At the end of the day, I tear off the top sheet and copy whatever is not done to the next sheet. Then I do a brain dump and add all the new tasks and errands I’m thinking of for the next day. That let’s me go to bed with a clear head. I’ve been using the same system for the past 8 years and it hasn’t failed me yet.