Do Something About Time Management And Create A Schedule
“If you don’t manage your time, your time will manage you”
Do you know who said that?
Well, actually, it was me – although I didn’t really say it, because I wrote it right here.
Time management is the main topic of this post, although you’ll see further on that I am not exactly practicing what I am preaching about at the moment. The reason for this seemingly hypocritical statement is because of the breakdown I suffered in August 2010, of which I have previously written about in this blog. Also check out my About Page.
Now, a couple of days ago I created a blog post, which was the first since February 2016.
So, why such a long hiatus, as it is now getting on for six months since that February post?
Well, that’s a question I really don’t have a simple and straight answer for. I could say that I’ve got nothing to write about; I don’t like writing; I couldn’t be bothered because I’m a lazy so-and-so.
Each response could be an answer; an excuse; a reason.
But the real answer is that I simply do not know why I do things or don’t do things and I guess it’s just all part-and-parcel of the slow breakdown recovery process, that has actually started to reveal some answers six years after the event. That hiatus-breaking post is somewhat of a milestone as far as recovery goes – check it out here.
Writing has not really ever been that much of a problem for me as things do start to flow after a short time, but it still remains something that I sort-of have a love/hate relationship with. It has been worse since the breakdown and I guess a lot of that comes from part of the responsibilities in my previous job, where I had to write responses to tenders, bids and other documents which always seemed to have tight delivery schedules and meant – more often than not – working through the night and weekends to hit deadlines.
It’s something that really invokes bad memories for me and has become one of my hurdles to overcome. To do it, I close my eyes and meditate for a short time, getting into a relaxed state and telling myself that there is no deadline or target and no failure for late delivery – because there is no late delivery!
Once I get through that, I’m OK.
That recent post has broken my blogging drought and I’ll be posting more regularly, but I have to avoid creating anything that remotely resembles a schedule, deadline or target. Which probably does put me at a disadvantage, especially when other bloggers I know use various systems for mapping and scheduling every hour of every day of every week.
Not doing it myself is also why I indicated in the opening paragraphs that I may seem hypocritical, but my own current avoidance at doing it is strongly connected with my condition. Taking a broader view, I definitely agree that it is an efficient thing to do, as you know where you are and what needs to be done at any given time on any given day.
I’ve personally used various processes for doing this over the years, which have included manual paper-based systems as well as stand-alone and networked software programs and enterprise-wide dedicated project management systems.
This is because I was responsible for all technical aspects and budgeting for several projects at any given time. Managing and controlling available time is essential for every executive level employee in today’s corporate world, as one missed meeting or deadline could jeopardize multi-million dollar contracts.
Some Tips For A Time Management Schedule
- Clear away anything on your desk or on your screen that are not required for your tasks.
- Shutdown any programs or websites, such as email and Facebook, that can suck away your time.
- Create a list of tasks to be done, either handwritten or on your computer.
- Always audit what you have or have not achieved at end of each day, identify why things were not done.
- Prepare a fresh list at the end of each day for the following morning and carry over the tasks outstanding from that day.
- Do the small tasks first. Seeing a large number of tasks done will give a great sense of achievement at the end of each day.
- Close the door or put up a sign showing that you don’t want to be disturbed for a couple of hours.
- If you have any phone calls to make, schedule them back-to-back.
- Choose a time of the day to check emails and Facebook. Do it at the same time each and every day and set a time limit.
- Take regular breaks away from your computer, so that you can come back refreshed.
These are the type of things I used to do in my old job and also started doing when I first began my Internet business. But I found it to be too stressful and overwhelming to be confronted with a task list, even though I created it for myself!
So, until I can start to become more comfortable with planning and scheduling my time again, I will just continue to do things the way I am doing them now. But, for everyone else I would definitely recommend using some form of scheduled time-management system.
Any good mentor will always advocate the use of such a system and it’s a good idea to get into the habit of scheduling your time right from the day you start your own Internet based business.
And if you are looking at starting an on-line business of your own, you’ll already know from some of my previous posts that I am an iPro partner member. I’ve made no secret of it and without bias, I can honestly recommend the Business Commission Blueprint as the training to start you off with your own on-line business.
Alternatively, if you’ve already had some success with Affiliate Marketing, may I suggest that you take a look at the Affiliate Club.
Mike
Indeed. I need to be a lord of time management. I’m the most disorganized person ever.
Twitter: fitbodybuzz
on August 23, 2016 at 7:40 am
I used to be a really disorganized guy. I work on my PC during the day, and it was not hard to find things on the web that are more interesting than my job. I used to spend 2 hours from the 8 with doing useless things. Then, I jotted down my goals and set a time for each task, and I use a Pomodoro timer. I think I have doubled my efficiency. You listed good tips here, although, I like starting with the larger tasks first.
Excellent Content! i like your tips for saving time.
Twitter: kaysharbor
on October 24, 2016 at 7:52 am
These are really much appreciable tips which can help in time management to become a enterprise level person. We people are always busy with many things but in an unusual time routine that lead us to failure. You see live example of different organization’s owner who are much successful in their field because they are very much productive with their time schedule. Using time in a proper way can really take you to the right track and help in becoming a successful person. Opportunities are always there just need a step to grab it. It’s all achievable by your intelligency and time management skills.
Twitter: danaustin
on December 25, 2016 at 5:38 am
Hi this is nice blog post on sanity time management. Love this post. you can check a my similar post of time management.
Thanks
Very helpful article for personal growth, Thanks for sharing
Time management is really essential, especially when running a business. Once I became aware of the amount of time that was wasted on certain tasks, I found someone to do them for me and that way the business could grow.
Hi Edwin,
Thanks for visiting and for your comments. I agree that using what is referred to as a VA, in the on-line world, to take care of routine daily tasks is certainly an effective and efficient way to ensure that the focus of a business owner is better targeted on strategies, goals and future expansion of the business.
I know this from my past off-line businesses in the late 1990’s-early 2000’s, when I had both my own freelance IT consultancy and a 25% stake in an IT/comms design, consultancy and maintenance company. The main difference in those days was the full or part-time employment of people who were based in our brick & mortar offices.
Although we created a simple HTML website in those early days, it wasn’t really where all our customers were or where new business came from. And as I am of a ‘certain-age’ setting up and running a business on-line is still something of a new concept to me!
No doubt, in due course, I will seek the services of a VA.
Mike
Mike Flanagan recently posted…A Successful Blogger’s Top 6 Qualities
Twitter: WendyColeiM
on June 2, 2017 at 11:40 am
Very honest post Mike. In such a fast paced world, we need to be mindful of time management. Sounds like you are getting back on track now? Hope you continue to rise out of the ashes.
Wendy.
Wendy Cole recently posted…7 Productivity Tips to Improve Your Work Life Balance
Twitter: wodsites
on June 7, 2017 at 5:41 am
Great work Mike, and thanks for sharing this wonderful time management ideas, As an entrepreneur, I need to manage my time for my affiliates, business and family, I do believe the saying ” Time is Gold”. I love the knowledge you present here and I do think that you should write more about this topic, Everything is very open with a clear description of the issues.
Indeed very useful, i usually use some of your list in my blog posts, and it is really effective. Good job writing them in this blog post.
Indeed very useful, i usually use some of your list in my blog posts, and it is really effective. Good job writing them in this blog post.
Hi Mike,
Nice article. Irrespective of the experience levels, people generally fall into the trap of spending more time, where not required and does not prioritize the activities.
I liked the tips a lot.
Thanks
Twitter: mybirchi
on February 26, 2018 at 8:12 am
Thanks for these helpful tips. I will try for my blog and will let you know how these helpful.
thank for article.Very helpful article for personal growth.
mehadi recently posted…Planning Commission Job Circular 2018 – Govt. Jobs In Bangladesh
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Twitter: JumixDesign
on April 9, 2018 at 10:06 am
Such a good article for personal growth! Hope to read more from your site!
Twitter: u_solutions4
on April 19, 2018 at 7:16 am
Hello Mike,
Thank you for writing. And sharing your difficulties.
Accountability. That is something I find difficult to manage and master. Particularly being at home all day, and alone at home for most of the day. I like the point you made about ‘Auditing’. And in the Infographic about creating a timeline.
I take it, to my way of thinking, the timeline being linear. With hourly graduations. Thinking about this, to knock one up in the evening for the next day. It would double as a time blocker.
This post has got me thinking. I remember a time program/app called Pomodoro. It has a tomato as an icon.
OK, after commenting, I’ll get onto that.
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Twitter: Jass
on April 27, 2018 at 5:49 am
Thanks for sharing this useful information
Twitter: GOBINDOROY
on May 12, 2018 at 7:03 am
Useful information for me. And thanks to share with us. I think 80% people don’t know this How to manages your time?
Gobindo Roy recently posted…13 Things About Freelancer You May Not Have Known