Six Sigma Blogs

Time management tips are little tidbits that help you to manage your time better. It’s true, we can never control how much time we have. But we organize what we can accomplish as it goes by.

These time management tips are the building blocks to successfully managing your time. If you start using them you are guaranteed to see some improvement in your time management.

1. Make a to-do list. What use is a to-do list? A to-do list will help you to prioritize your tasks into a manageable list, and allows you the satisfaction of crossing them off when completed. Make sure you write the list with the most important things at the top down to tasks that are low priority. The main thing is though, make sure you follow your list! Otherwise you may as well not have it!

2. Having a routine is your secret weapon to successful time management. A strong routine will keep you focused, balanced and on track. And it means your list will stay organized too!

3. Importance vs Urgency. Importance leads to achieving of goals. Whereas urgency is more about another person putting the pressure on to get you to do something they want. This can lead to a person feeling uncomfortable and stressed. Make sure you always prioritize your important tasks over urgent ones (those that someone else is pressuring for but don’t really benefit you). Target tasks that contribute towards your day goal.

4. Identify your time wasters. Doesn’t matter if it is playing online games, chatting on the phone, facebook, worrying, daydreaming, internet time - all these things make you less productive.

5. Track your time. You may want to keep a time management journal to record how you spend you time. This is better than guessing or estimating as often you will be wrong. By doing this you can work out what time of day you are most alert and productive. Schedule your work to be at these times.

I remember my old teacher saying that there is no such thing as “Time Management”, he said that’s because we are given only 24 hours each day. We can’t change that. What’s more realistic or appropriate to say is “Task Management”. I’ve never forgotten about that ever since.

I hope you enjoyed these time management tips. The message I am sharing is - by managing your time better you cannot lose! You will be more productive while getting to do the things that you enjoy!

Learn more about the importance of time management. Rachel got her information together from a assortment of resources including these time management tips.

Sometimes it can feel like overcoming procrastination is impossible! It isn’t. Here are a few methods you can try to avoid procrastinating again.

Do The Hardest and Toughest Jobs First.

By doing this your self-esteem will be boosted, and you will feel like you have achieved something. This will also have the roll on effect that other tasks will seem pretty easy to do.

When making a to-do list, make sure you follow everything you’ve written chronologically by listing the most important things to be done on top and ticking them off as you go along. Not only will this be more organized but it will be easier for you to follow and focus on what’s next rather than choosing what you think you should do on the list.

Don’t Wait for The Right Time and to Be In The Right Mood.

There is no point hanging out to be in the right mood, or the right time to happen. Waiting around for this “special time” or “special mood” is a hindrance to your productivity!

Perfectionism is a Trap.

Self-esteem is closely tied into a job done well. Some people take things to the extreme however and are constantly delaying tasks because they feel that they cannot do the job perfectly. This will not help with overcoming procrastination!

Often a perfectionist will beat themselves up over trying to get a job done perfectly. Pressuring themselves with unrealistic deadlines and viewing the outcome of their work negatively. This puts a mental barrier in peoples minds - stopping them from getting the task done. Perfectionism actually results in poor work because of their obsession with messing up!

Perfectionists are not the peak performers. This is because perfectionists spend all their time worrying about messing up rather than actually getting the job done!

If you suffer from being a perfectionist, reassess you priorities. Take small brave steps. Create an action plan with realistic deadlines. The key to doing your best is to start really early. That way you give yourself plenty of time to review your work and spot errors. By maintaining a fresh and relaxed attitude, you are able to give your best.

Create Momentum.

If you are sitting down unsure how to start your next task, stand up. This alone can make a lot of difference to your procrastination. Doing something physical is recommended to help increase efficiency.

Clean up your desk. Go for a walk around the block. Do some other small task. This will help create momentum and get you going. The great thing about momentum is that once it is going it is hard to stop! Getting up and doing something will help pump you up to get into that task you have been procrastinating about!

A little procrastination is fine. But some people get really pulled into the procrastination cycle. This can lead to chronic depression. If you are trying to overcome procrastination - be realistic. You are unlikely to stop procrastinating overnight. There is no quick fix. To be successful you need to develop a routine that works for you.

Michelle is the editor of a website about time management skills. You can learn more about overcoming procrastination, time management skills, the importance of time management and a lot more!