Time Management - how do you manage yours?

[Polly]

Hi all

Time management is on my mind this week....

I quit my day job to concentrate on my business full time in December - yipee! Although I am enjoying the extra time I now have on my hands, managing it is another matter!

My days seem to be whizzing by without achieving much of what I had planned. I don't suppose a new little puppy helps when she wants me to play with her all the time!

What methods do you use to manage your time? I do have an action list for the week but don't seem to be making any progress on it. This is the first time I have worked alone so maybe its a motivational thing too...?

Any tips would be much appreciated

Thanks


Polly

 

[Alice3537]

I started to read a book on this subject - just didn't have the time to finish it!!

I think, maybe, you need to work on self discipline first re focusing on the 'work' type things rather than the 'play with puppy' stuff! (I know all too well how tempting it is not to!).

Daily 'things to do' may work better than weekly - cross each one through as you finish it......great big marks through it should satisfy! Any not completed, carry over to the next day.

Prioritising, splitting the day not dedicated chunks of time, answering all messages after everything else is done are all methods people use.

Do you have a OH or friend you could give a quick (and I mean quick, they don't have great attention spans in my experience) run-down of what you will achieve and then a follow up chat about what you HAVE achieved? That may help you.

 

[Fuzzy]

Hi Polly, arh a little puppy - what breed ? Would love to see a pic
Time management, well I use an old fashioned To do list and tick it off as I go, guess some guys on here will use something more techie. Distraction is UKBF, but aslong as my orders are out on time, I'm a happy Fuzzy

 

[Xteach]

I concentrate on the job in hand, distractions take 2nd place.

ignoring Fuzzy and Fill your pants in the daytime is a big help,

I do use my outlook calendar to keep me in the right place at the right time too

 

[Alice3537]

Time management, well I use an old fashioned To do list and tick it off as I go, guess some guys on here will use something more techie.

Nah, Fuzzy, I tried 'other things' and KEPT reverting to good ol' pen & paper, so don't even look at the 'latest time management systems' anymore!

 

[Fuzzy]

I concentrate on the job in hand, distractions take 2nd place.

ignoring Fuzzy and Fill your pants in the daytime is a big help,

I do use my outlook calendar to keep me in the right place at the right time too

OOh you cheeky monkey! and we were kind in your caricature !

 

[Fill-Your-World]

ignoring Fuzzy and Fill your pants in the daytime is a big help,

I resent that!!!

(wish I had your will power though )

 

[Polly]

Thanks for all your tips.

Fuzzy - I want to post a pic of the pup... how do i insert it??

Polly

 

[Alice3537]

Thanks for all your tips.

Fuzzy - I want to post a pic of the pup... how do i insert it??

Polly

All the tips and you focus on the piccy of the puppy?? O.....k!

 

[Fuzzy]

Thanks for all your tips.

Fuzzy - I want to post a pic of the pup... how do i insert it??

Polly

Maybe you should put it in the Time out section ? The mod's will be after Fuzzy otherwise

 

[Polly]

All the tips and you focus on the piccy of the puppy?? O.....k!

yes you now see just how easily I'm distracted.... there's no hope for some of us!!!

 

[myTymonLy]

Hello, Newbie here.

I just wanted to share something also from own experience about time management in my life... on how I handle this things.

If time is no longer at your control.. then my life become a more tupsy turvvy..

so to have a time management. I make sure that i do have a game plan or back up things so that I can follow the right schedule.

Right?

 

[drounding]

I make extensive use of Mindmapping.

I have Mindmapping software on my PC which I use to keep track of individual client projects but I find a pencil and paper are still the best. Every morning I plan my day and carry over standing tasks etc. I have an A5 red Moleskin sketchbook, a couple of pencils and a set or coloured highlighters which I use to make my daily 'map'.

It might not work for all but I recommend everyone should at least try out Mindmapping. I've introduced many people to the methods over the years and a lot of them were 'converted' and could see the benefits.

My key to time management is 'Set your Goals' then 'Plan your Work' and 'Work your Plan'.

 

[myTymonLy]

I make extensive use of Mindmapping.

I have Mindmapping software on my PC which I use to keep track of individual client projects but I find a pencil and paper are still the best. Every morning I plan my day and carry over standing tasks etc. I have an A5 red Moleskin sketchbook, a couple of pencils and a set or coloured highlighters which I use to make my daily 'map'.

It might not work for all but I recommend everyone should at least try out Mindmapping. I've introduced many people to the methods over the years and a lot of them were 'converted' and could see the benefits.

My key to time management is 'Set your Goals' then 'Plan your Work' and 'Work your Plan'.

that Is cool.. Mindmapping software?

It is really a good thing? Did this thing will be good if we do have disciplined as well..

Where did you get the software sir?

 

[drounding]

I use Mindjet MindManager Pro but there are some good freeware ones around such as XMind.

You will never achieve if you cannot discipline yourself. MindMapping helps organise thoughts and activities but like everything else it's ultimately up to you to do the work.

 

[jocel]

dooh, i just curious where did i spend my times for the last week? my job took me from day to another day without me notice it! :redface:

 

[JonM]

"To do" lists for me. Simply list out tasks that need completing, prioritise them, and then crack on with it.

 

[wevet]

Hi all

Time management is on my mind this week....

I quit my day job to concentrate on my business full time in December - yipee! Although I am enjoying the extra time I now have on my hands, managing it is another matter!

My days seem to be whizzing by without achieving much of what I had planned. I don't suppose a new little puppy helps when she wants me to play with her all the time!

What methods do you use to manage your time? I do have an action list for the week but don't seem to be making any progress on it. This is the first time I have worked alone so maybe its a motivational thing too...?

Any tips would be much appreciated

Thanks


Polly

Sorry I don't have the time to answer.

 

[r2d2]

I do remember 'starting' a book - time management for busy mums or something. Never did finish it as I never had the time!!!
Must dig it out though as it was a very good source of inspiration and I suppose now 2 sprogs are at school and one doing a bit of nursery, I may just find time....
But, I am terrible, never get anything done that I want to and kick myself for it!! So, if you do find the answer please let me know.

 

[SusanBryant]

Hi,

I work from home and I always write a list of what I want to achieve each day. I am stubborn though so it means I finish them!

I also used something called the Pomodoro Technique (Google it!), it invoces breaking your time down in to 25 minute sessions - I find it useful as it means I focus fully for those 25 minutes.

Hope that helps,

Susan

 

[myTymonLy]

My experience, when my mom keeps me nagging what to do and command me what to do but I am sorry but I think, I really am not good if someone will keep nagging me to do this and that.. It doesn't work for me.



For me. I made a weekly notes and guides and every weekend I made sure to myself that I did covered the major factors.

And monthly, see my recent things ive done.. If its good or not.. If I wasted some or not.. A matter of monitoring my self.

See my signature profile for my site that helpS me a lot!

 

[pickaweb]

There are good tools out there eg: basecamphq.com

 

[myTymonLy]

there is a nice link I had read and i think it mite be useful to you about timemanagment --> timemanagement.com/?tr2

 

[Dorkins]

"I quit my day job to concentrate on my business full time in December - yipee! Although I am enjoying the extra time I now have on my hands"

"Extra time on your hands"! if I had extra time I would not be worrying about managing it! where I have I gone wrong? (for the last 40 years) maybe I should have managed it better