Expert Advice Tip Sheet -- Scheduling Your Time More Effectively -- OnlineOrganizing.com

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	Scheduling Your Time More Effectively

	By Ramona Creel

Feel free to use this tip sheet / checklist as you tackle your own ""do-it-yourself"" organizing projects. If you would like to REPRINT or DISTRIBUTE this information, please click here for reprinting instructions.

AVOIDING THE MYTHS

it's not time management -- it's self management
you can't control time and you certainly can't manage it
you get just as much time as anyone else
you can only control yourself and what you do with that time
it's all about the daily choices you make

KEEP A TIME LOG

each block of time represents an investment opportunity
how you invest your time determines your future return
not every item on your schedule has to be done
the key to productivity is awareness of how you spend your time
what you do, how long it takes, and what benefit you get
create a log tracking your activities for a week

LAYING IT ON THE LINE

evaluate the time investment versus payoff for each activity
how much benefit or enjoyment are you getting from each activity?
keep high-payoff and enjoyable activities on your to-do list
ask yourself if low-payoff activities need to be done at all
if they do need to be done, do they have to be done by you?
if they need to be done by you, could they be simplified?

LEARNING TO USE A CALENDAR

can choose a daily or weekly calendar for appointments
give yourself at least one block per hour
each block should be big enough to write in any daily appointments
include all details (address, phone number, directions, etc.)
use the monthly or yearly pages for longer-term planning
use to plan ahead in larger blocks of time
be sure to transfer appointments to weekly calendar each month
keep your calendar with you at all times

PLAN AND SCHEDULE AS MUCH AS YOU CAN

spend an hour Sunday evening planning the coming week
transfer appointments from your monthly to weekly calendars
don't just schedule work-related appointments
schedule as many items in your life as possible (and reasonable)
time with kids, exercise, spiritual practice, shopping, etc.
schedule appointments and errands geographically
review your schedule daily so you don't overlook anything

RECOGNIZE YOUR STRENGTHS AND WEAKNESSES

if you procrastinate, create artificial deadlines to finish early
know your work style (long stretches or short bursts)
understand your high and low energy periods
plan your schedule accordingly
ask "is this the best use of my time right now"?
if not, re-evaluate the importance of your current activity

REMEMBER TO PLAN SOME FREE TIME

it's healthy to plan time to "goof-off" or play"
set aside time for recreation in advance
get up early to have some private time before the day gets crazy
it's less likely to come up spontaneously and distract you
you're more likely to actually make time for yourself

SET SOME BOUNDARIES

eliminate distractions as much as possible
it's okay to ask not to be disturbed -- and to say "no"
close your door, turn off the ringer on your phone, etc.
set up guidelines for dealing with interruptions
who you are willing to interrupt work for and who will have to wait
don't be afraid to ask how long the interruption will take
then decide whether you have time to handle it now or later
ask if you need to handle the problem right at that exact moment
if not, schedule a time to take care of it later
when interrupted, leave a memory jogger of where you left off work
it will be easier to get back into the groove when you return

STICK TO YOUR PLAN

direct all of your energies toward your current activity
don't think about what you need to do next or later on
your schedule will work only as well as you commit to it
keep it with you and refer to it often

Copyright 2000-2009 Ramona Creel -- you are welcome to reprint any article, but you MUST include this resource box.

"Ramona Creel is a modern Renaissance woman and guru of simplicity -- traveling the country as a full-time RVer, sharing her story of radically downsizing, and inspiring others to regain control of their own lives. As a Professional Organizer and Accountability Coach, Ramona will help you create the time and space to focus on your true priorities -- clearing away the clutter other obstacles and standing in the way of that life you've always wanted to be living. As a Professional Photographer, Ramona captures powerful images of places and people as she travels. And as a travel writer, social commentator, and blogger, she shares her experiences and insights about the world as we know it. You can see all these sides of Ramona -- read her articles, browse through her photographs, and even hire her to help get your life in order -- at www.RamonaCreel.com. And be sure to follow her on Twitter and on Facebook."

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