Discover Key Factors In Managing Your Time And Your Life!

Time management isn't just about being well organized, or knowing how to prioritize your most important tasks.

Most everyone has felt swamped or overwhelmed at one time or another. With hectic work schedules, family responsibilities, and social engagements, there just doesn't seem to be enough time for everything you need and want to do.

For instance, do any of the following scenarios connect with you?

You planned on getting to work early to finish the project that's due today but now the car won't start. You know you wrote the mechanic's name down somewhere but now you can't remember where you put it. You frantically search through your notes, but you can't find them anywhere. There's no way you're going to have time to finish your project. You start to panic. And the clock just keeps ticking... tick tock, tick tock!

If any of the above strikes a cord, rest assured there is a light at the end of the tunnel. Although 'life' will always provide you with twists and turns, once you learn some key lessons in time management you will begin to manage your time more effectively. Much of the day-to-day chaos in your life can be reduced or even eliminated.

The first step in learning how to manage your time is to develop a general work schedule. Your work schedule should include time for yourself as well as time for the high-leverage activities necessary to successfully grow your business.

After you've defined the major elements of your workload, the next step is to prioritize them. Next, identify critical time management deadlines, routine maintenance items, and fun/relaxation time.

Answering questions like "How much time do I have to make this decision; finish this task, or contact this person?", will help you to start identifying what needs to be done immediately versus what can wait until later.

Setting priorities depends in large part on pre-set deadlines. How many people you must call to get the information you need, or whether you can delegate or get assistance from others are just some of the variables to consider when setting priorities.

If you are involved in group projects, reserve additional time for communication and problem-solving.

Once you have identified your priorities, look at all of your options for achieving them. Evaluate and move forward with the ones you feel are the most useful. The only time to consider changing approaches mid-task is when you know the change will save time or money in the long run. If you are in doubt, it is usually best to re-consider the direction you're going.

By setting your work schedule and identifying your priorities, you have already started down the road to establishing a routine of more effective time management.

Additional time management suggestions you may find useful for managing both your business life as well as your personal life include the following:

• Outsource Tasks - Contract out tasks that you do not have the expertise or time to complete. Your client will appreciate your honesty and effort to get the best result.
• Begin With Most Important Task - Start the morning, afternoon, or evening with the most important task before you. This will reduce your anxiety level early on and prepare you better for the next task.
• Complete Deadline Work Early - Not only will this reduce stress, it will also improve your overall confidence in your leadership ability to about managing your workload.
• Know Your Capacity For Stress - When you are hitting overload, take the break you need (even if it is a short one) when you need it. Take the personal time you need to ensure you can always be at your professional best.
• Stay Organized - Take time at the end of each day to briefly organize your desk and make reminder lists of tasks for the next day or week. Doing this before you go home will allow you feel less stress after hours and more fully enjoy your family life.
• Take Advantage Of "Down Time" - Allow yourself some down time between busy periods to review your long-term time management plan. Adjust your schedule and re-evaluate your priorities on a regular basis.
• Get Physical - Physical exercise such as walking, bicycling, swimming, or organized sports activities helps to reduce stress. Stretching, yoga, jumping rope, playing with your children, or doing yard work are other types of therapeutic breaks you should consider doing on a regular basis, especially during times of stress.
• Have Fun - Be sure to have some fun while working or playing. A good sense of humor can keep most problems in perspective, and help you to not sweat the small stuff.
• Divide Your Time Wisely - Decide how much time to spend on business development, personal needs, volunteerism and family activities. Start by allowing 20 percent of your time for yourself. Each time you make a commitment, set a timeline for your involvement. Remember that your personal life maintenance takes at least 20 percent of your time, which includes your marriage, other relationships, and serving your community.
• Build Flexibility Into Your Time Management Schedule - Your availability to family and friends depends on the flexibility you build into your schedule. Female business owners frequently have the primary responsibility for making sure family members are cared for when they are dependent or ill, so it's necessary to leave some time in your schedule for emergencies or to have good backup resources. Get to know your neighbors and other resources so you know who to call on for help in times of crisis.

In the bigger picture, consider the relationship between your business life and your personal life. Be as realistic as possible when answering the following time management questions - keeping in mind what is most important to you:

• What are your long term goals? Your partner's goals?
• Where are the conflicts, and where are the similarities?
• What is it that you really want to do? List all possible ways to accomplish this.
• How long will it take you to reach your goal?
• How do your timeline and goals affect your family (parents, siblings, partner, children
• How do your personal goals conflict with or match your business goals?
• How much time can you donate to community programs?
• Have you talked about your personal goals with your business partner?
• Have you discussed your business goals with your spouse?

Don't underestimate the toll that emotional stress takes on your physical health and your ability to concentrate on your work or enjoy quality time with your family.

Effective time management will help to ensure you have time for the important people and events in your life.

To that end, don't just manage your time, use time management to manage your life!

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