If you have watched the videos, read the text, answered the questions and completed the work sheets, you should have discovered your time strengths and weaknesses.
There will be some aspects of yourself that you need to work on. Remember, don't try to change everything at once. You need to form new habits and practice the skills.
But time mastery IS self mastery. It starts with you.
To do list
It might seem obvious, but using some sort of list to record all of your actions is a really simple tip. It get's them out of your head and makes them visible. Use a simple pen and paper, a "to do" app or planner, use your calendar (colour coding different kinds of activities) and create a schedule.
Prioritise
Not every task is equal. Some are more important or urgent than others. Highlight the urgent and do them first. Schedule the important and make sure you do them before they become urgent. Then look at the others and decide whether to automate, systemise or even delegate to someone else.
Don't forget to plan some fun/rest activities into your day to ensure you enjoy your day.
The why and when
Before you take on an action, ask "What for and by when?" It's so easy to take things on without really understanding the timeframes, purpose and importance of the activity.
Are you really the best person to do it?
If you are, then get clear on how it sits with your other priorities and what needs to be put aside to get it done.
Meetings
Before you accept that meeting invite, get clear on the purpose and outcome of the meeting, and question whether you are really needed. The same applies if you are calling a meeting.
So much time is wasted in meetings by going over minutes, doing admin or not having the decision makers present.
Under plan and over schedule
There is only so much you can do in a given day, so plan to achieve 3 core priorities and over schedule how long they will take you. You will get interruptions, take breaks, face some issues, so plan for them.
Before you fill your diary with back to back meetings, put some buffer time between each so that you can travel, mentally prepare and perhaps even do the actions from the meetings.
Turn it off
This is your permission slip to turn your notifications off, log out of your email and turn your phone off. If you have a deadline or a concentrated piece of work to do, block out all distractions and communicate your availability (or lack of) to others.
If you allow interruptions, others will always see you as available.
Reflect
At the end of the day, reflect on how well you managed your time. By assessing your day you will identify your time stealers and can proactively form new habits and draw boundaries.
Journal work
What are your development priorities?
How will you develop them?
What support do you need?
How will your life and work be improved if you succeed?
What happens if you do nothing?
When will you begin working on it?
How will you know if you have succeeded?
Discover more from 3WH
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.