Have you heard the expression, “time waits for no man”?
How true that is. The bus or the train won’t wait for you. The concert will continue to play without you just as the plane will take off regardless if you’re on it or not. The movie will play even if you’re still waiting in line for your popcorn and the class will still begin on time even if your seat is empty.
Do these scenarios sound familiar to you? Do you always find you’re late despite your best intentions? It almost seems like the world is sabotaging your best efforts and moves on without you.
Unfortunately if this is you, then I’m sorry to say that you’re the problem.
Time is precious because it’s something you can never get back and how we spend it often determines the quality of our life. By managing our time efficiently we should have enough of it to accomplish the things we need to. Everyone gets the same 24 hours a day.
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Here are a few time management habits to help you get the most out of your life:
1. Write it down, if you don’t set yourself tasks and record them on paper you’re less likely to hold yourself accountable and follow through on them. On the whole, more people who record their goals and tasks on paper are more successful than those who don’t. If you want to monitor your progress, get it on paper.
2. Set your watch 15 minutes early. You don’t miss the time you never knew you had. Setting your watch/clock or cell phone 15 minutes ahead of time makes it difficult to be late. (used to be called Lombardi Time, after the great coach of the Green Bay Packers first discussed it’s use) Getting used to functioning this way you won’t miss the lost time but will see the wisdom and benefits when you find you’re never late.
3. The modern planner – Your cellphone or your Black Berry are indispensable tools and are like having your own assistant working alongside you 24 hours a day. Because you have them with you for the most part of the day, use them to their full potential by creating yourself a schedule and reminders for all of your appointments and tasks.
4. Prioritize your tasks. Get the most involved and time intensive ones done first. Tackle the task that you least like first that way you’re not procrastinating and putting it off for another time.
5. Do it right the first time. When doing tasks make sure that you do them right the first time around, you won’t believe how much this can save you time wise. If you do something right the first time you eliminate the extra time needed for corrections further down the track.
Just by following a few of these simple, yet overlooked techniques you can get your life back on track so that you’re living it rather than getting left behind. Practice them starting today.
You’ll also find your life will be much more productive with plenty of time let over for your other passions and pursuits.