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Feel free to use any of the links and information below. The top link is the site index page. | |
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Time management basics | |
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Time management basics Time management consists of techniques that anyone can use. Goals, objectives, time logs, filing, delegation, planning, key time destroyers and more… |
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What is time management? | |
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What is time management? Time management in its simplest form tries to obtain goals by solving the problems of the key time destroyers. Any system must produce a real benefit… |
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What is time management - goals? Time management is the control of activities towards particular goals. Once we have our goals we must then devise strategies and tactics for our plan… |
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Resources Time management is concerned with resource. It needs the cooperation of people to work but they are not the only resource that should concern you… |
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Time | |
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Time Time management would be easier if all involved looked at time in the same manner. There is monochronic and polychronic time, then quality time… |
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Monochronic time Time management, traditionally, is taught to appeal to logical, punctual people at home with systems. These people have a monochronic view of time… |
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Polychronic time Time management is often presented as a logical series of steps but some people have a less than logical view of time. They observe polychronic time… |
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Convergent thinking Time management is about working with people that think in different ways. Most techniques are designed to appeal to the convergent thinker… |
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Divergent thinking Time management involves persons of differing thinking styles. Normal techniques and methods do not sit easily with some. They are divergent thinkers… |
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High and low context culture Time management is based on information transfer. Some people need a lot to carry out tasks and others very little. It depends on context culture… |
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Blending styles Time management will only succeed if you consider the different character styles of friends, colleagues and your team. A blend of styles is useful... |
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Goals | |
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Goals Time management is ineffective if you do not know where you are going. You must decide on what you want to achieve. For this you need to set goals… |
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Goals 2 Time management is the control of activities for particular goals. What type exist, how does quality fit in and what about setting and recording them… |
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Objectives | |
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Objectives Time management produces action plans containing goals and objectives. There are different aspects of objectives that need consideration… |
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Objectives prioritising Time management will involve goals and objectives. In order to manage these efficiently you will need to prioritise your objectives in some manner… |
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Objectives prioritising 2 Time management will involve the prioritization of objectives. Another system that may prove useful is via a multiplication tabular ranking matrix… |
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Objectives prioritisng 3 Time management will involve the prioritization of objectives. We can take the multiplication tabular ranking matrix a little further… |
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Productivity | |
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Productivity Time management is about improving your productivity. The ratio of your output to input should go up. If not your techniques need improvement… |
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Information | |
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Information collection Time management is the manipulation of tasks based upon information collected. How much information should you collect and where from… |
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Information flow sheet Time management can lead to the collection of a lot of information for processing. The following method provides a system for dealing with it… |
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Information collection 2 Time management ends up controlling the processing of a lot of information. This can be in the form of projects, delayed or delegated tasks amongst others… |
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Processing the information Time management relies on collecting a lot of information before you can tackle it. Once you have this information you will need to process it… |
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Emails Time management involves the collection and manipulation of information. Email is an efficient means of doing this. You might wish to consider… |
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Projects Time management usually focuses on single step tasks. Those areas where more than one step is required can be thought of as projects… |
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Urgent v important | |
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Urgent v important Time management requires the prioritization of tasks. To do this efficiently it is useful to recognize the difference between urgent and important… |
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Urgent v important 2 Time management tasks can be split into urgent and important. To help you in sorting them you can use a matrix system… |
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Capturing ideas | |
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Capturing ideas Time management can benefit from the use of a wide variety of techniques. A useful way to summarise events and help you recall them is mind mapping… |
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Brain storm Time management has its problems. Each of these will need solutions and a plan of action. A brain storm is great for generating then reviewing ideas… |
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Mind mapping Time management can benefit from the use of a wide variety of techniques. A useful way to summarise events and help you recall them is mind mapping… |
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Delegation | |
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Poor delegation and the team Time management usually involves a lot of team work as well as personal effort. Delegation is a key ingredient get this wrong and all may fail… |
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The delegation process Time management requires the help of people to work. Whenever possible give tasks to others. You will need to develop a good delegation process… |
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Delegation towards independence Time management requires delegation of many of your tasks. Eventually, those persons with training will gain experience and move towards independence… |
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Key time destroyers | |
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The key time destroyers Time management is tricky trying to keep on top of all of the little obstacles in your way. Many are very common and are the Key Time Destroyers… |
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Action chasing Time management is affected by many things most of which are under your control. These problems and issues can be labeled under Key Time Destroyers… |
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Being disorganised Time management involves a high degree of self discipline. You must commit to developing good organizational skills or the result will be failure… |
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Can't say no Time management depends on human nature, especially your own. We have certain traits that hinder us and the major one is not being able to say, "No"… |
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Crisis management Time management depends on goals, actions and planning. If you fail to plan properly you can find your self firefighting in crisis management… |
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Desktop management Time management is usually conducted either at work or at home. Either usually requires the use of a desk. Good desktop management is essential… |
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Friends Time management relies on good people skills. Unfortunately, work colleagues and especially friends can be your enemy when it comes to wasting time… |
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Large reports Time management involves assessing and communicating information. If you write or read reports make sure that they are efficiently presented… |
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Low energy levels Time management involves commitment and energy to see it through. Without the necessary energy levels you could end up in a downward spiral… |
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Meetings Time management will involve meetings. These can be good, or more often than not, very bad. You will need to exhibit control over their running… |
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Meetings 2 Time management can involve plenty of meetings. They serve a very useful function if run efficiently but there are a few items to look out for… |
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Multiple tasks Time management involves the ordering of many tasks. Delegation is a key ingredient and trying to tackle multiple tasks can lead to extra pressures… |
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Other errors Time management relies on good quality information. If quality is poor it can create problems and needs resolving. Don't delay, examine the causes… |
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Other jobs Time management will see you tackling many tasks. These may not be all your own responsibility. Be wary of ending up doing the jobs of other's… |
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Paperwork Time management will come hand in hand with plenty of documents, forms and records. You must have a system for dealing with this paperwork efficiently… |
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Perfection Time management needs to be efficient and workable. However, a drive for absolute perfection in tasks can be very inhibiting to the process… |
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Poor communication Time management manipulates tasks through information transfer. The quality of the information is important. Eliminate poor communication skills... |
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Poor control and reporting Time management will only work with good planning. Task progression will not manage itself. You must have a system of good control and reporting… |
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Poor delegation Time management needs the efficient use of other people. To improve your performance you must learn to delegate correctly as many tasks as possible… |
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Poor information Time management needs good communication and that often means good quality information. A key area of concern is the transfer of poor information… |
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Poor leadership Time management needs the efficient use of other people who need motivation. Whether a team or friends poor leadership skills can hinder the process… |
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Poor planning Time management involves the assessment of outstanding tasks, ideas for progression, and solutions to problems. Poor planning can be a big issue… |
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Poor preparation Time management needs some preparation on a daily basis. Without this you can waste time, get de-motivated and performance will begin to drop… |
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Poor self discipline Time management will be hard if you do not apply enough self discipline. Boredom and tiredness can easily set in which may upset the process… |
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Putting things off Time management requires commitment and keeping to a plan. Putting things off can create a bad habit and lead to serious problems in the future… |
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Resource issues Time management needs people. Naturally, without suitable resource many aspects will be hard to manage efficiently. Delays may result… |
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Responsibiity Time management needs goals, plans and actions. If you are unaware of your responsibilities then confusion could ensue leading to poor performance… |
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Socialising Time management will not succeed without people but they can often be the biggest cause of social time wasting. You will need techniques to cope… |
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Staff issues Time management will not succeed without people but you must not only have the right number but persons with the correct skill set, or train them… |
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The boss Time management at work will have input from senior managers. They may have their own agenda for you to follow so you must learn techniques to adapt… |
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The telephone Time management requires good communication and the efficient transfer of information. The use of the telephone can be a friend and definitely a foe… |
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The telephone 2 Time management uses good communication and one common method is the telephone. However, you must be aware of the problems it can cause… |
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Travel time Time management is not conducted in isolation from other activities. Meetings in particular require travel. Make sure you utilize the time wisely… |
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Unfinished tasks Time management requires not only commitment but good concentration in order to complete tasks. Poor staying power can lead to low performance… |
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Unwanted callers Time management will involve dealing with the unwanted attentions of a number of persons, in particular, those of the unwanted and unexpected visitor… |
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Work overload Time management is about control and not showing how many tasks you can complete quickly. Work overload is not good and will only result in stress… |
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Your own errors Time management requires the organization of others along with plans. There will be plenty of pitfalls along the way without making errors yourself… |
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The telephone | |
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The telephone Time management requires good communication and the efficient transfer of information. The use of the telephone can be a friend and definitely a foe… |
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The telephone 2 Time management uses good communication and one common method is the telephone. However, you must be aware of the problems it can cause… |
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Meetings | |
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Meetings Time management will involve meetings. These can be good, or more often than not, very bad. You will need to exhibit control over their running… |
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Meetings 2 Time management can involve plenty of meetings. They serve a very useful function if run efficiently but there are a few items to look out for… |
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Strategies | |
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Strategies for getting on with it? Time management is easy in theory but not so in practice. Often it's hard to get started. You might like to have strategies for getting on with it… |
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Where are we going? Time management needs clear communication of goals. If you are unclear of the task or meeting then your own output can prove a waste of time… |
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Typical process Time management requires evaluation of your tasks and the generation of a plan of action. We can look at a list of tasks in a typical process… |
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Time log Time management helps control how you manage your tasks. The use of a Time Log can tell you where your problems are and help keep you on track… |
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What not to do? Time management tries to maximize your productivity by managing your time better. Good techniques are vital but there are things no to do… |
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Combining tasks Time management usually means fitting in a lot of tasks in a particular period of time. This becomes easier if you judiciously combine some tasks… |
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Irritating tasks Time management helps you to manipulate a lot of tasks, some are fun to do and others are rather irritating. Here are a few ideas for tackling these… |
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Planning | |
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Assessment and planning Time management will present obstacles. You must assess their impact and generate plans to overcome them. You must sort out your solution actions... |
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Prioritising Time management inevitably produces a series of tasks that must be carried out according to a plan. Aspects of prioritization must be considered… |
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Implementing Time management is about setting goals and developing plans to meet them. At some point in time you will need to implement plans and monitor them… |
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Scheduling Time management requires assessment of tasks and the generation of plans then implementation via a schedule or timetable. What type do you use… |
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Review Time management is as much about preparation as planning. To work at peak performance you should review all future activities on a weekly basis… |
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Decision PATH Time management manipulates tasks within a time frame. You will need to prioritise tasks and for this a system using a Decision Path may prove useful… |
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Filing | |
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Filing notes Time management needs a good filing system to store and retrieve information. What do you file and using which system? These notes may help… |
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Day files Time management requires access to and manipulation of information. You will need an efficient system. One such method is the use of day files… |
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Reminders | |
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Reminders Time management produces action plans for the implementation of tasks. However, even with a timetable it is useful to add reminders in your diary… |
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Checklists Time management has been helped by the use of checklists. Managed in the right way they can be a good thing. However, there are pitfalls to consider… |
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People | |
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People Time management needs people to manage it properly. It is useful to recognize the different characteristics of individuals and employ a balance… |
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Workaholic Time management teaches delegation as a key tool. If you take on too many tasks stress will inevitably result and becoming a workaholic will not help… |
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Human nature Time management can be hindered by traits of human nature. This applies to your self as well as others. Some problems areas are shown below… |
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Blame culture Time management is not easy. Recognise that many of the problems will lie with yourself. Don't try to blame others for your own poor management... |
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Assertiveness Time management requires that you control the use of your time and for this you will need assertiveness. Make sure that you know what it is... |
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Personality drivers Time management can be influenced by the characteristics of individuals. Understanding these personality drivers will help you reach your goals… |
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Attitude | |
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Positive thinking Time management can be fraught with negative thoughts at the outset. Thinking in a positive manner is more likely to lead to success… |
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Commitment Time management is about changing habits and developing systems to cope with tasks in finite time frames. To do this will require commitment… |
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Stress | |
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Stress Time management will help you tackle your responsibilities in the time available. Overworking will only limit performance and increase stress levels… |
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Stress problems Time management is a good thing. It should help you achieve goals. Poor techniques can cause overwork, and worry leading to an increase in stress… |
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Stress sources Time management can reduce stress if managed well. However, there are some areas to consider that might act as sources of stress… |
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Coping with stress Time management is used to make your life easier. However, poor techniques can make your life stressful. You may find some coping techniques useful… |
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Playtime Time management can be hard work and if you are not careful could lead to stress. It is useful to consider a mental break in the form of playtime… |
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Tips | |
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Tips Time management uses many techniques but some help doesn't fit into a particular area. Listing a few tips may save you time and increase performance… |
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