You often hear time management experts tell you to prioritize your time. But how do you do that?
Here's one suggestion to try:
Draw a large circle representing a 24 hour clock. Chart the way you spend your time, including sleep, meals, daily tasks, hygiene, etc. Then draw a second circle representing the way you would like to spend your time. This will show you what you'd rather be doing with your time. Then, evaluate where you can make changes. This exercise can help you prioritize your time and plan your future.
Maybe you're not sure how you ca actually spend your time. Try this for a few days:
Keep a time chart or time log. On a piece of paper list times of your waking day diving it into 10 to 15 minute segments. Make 3-4 photocopies. As you go through an average day, write down your activities. You might be surprised at how much time (or how little) a task actually takes. It is also quite revealing how much time distractions and interruptions take, and how much time is wasted.
Evaluate each activity and the time it takes. Are there tasks that are taking more time than they are worth? Is there something that could be done more efficiently at another time of the day, or by another person? Are there similar activities that could be combined into one time segment? Did you do too many things that were just unnecessary busywork?
Ask yourself honest questions about how you spend your time. Make sure you've scheduled time to do things you really like to do too. Once you focused on how you spend your time, it'll be easier to prioritize your time!
Judy Warmington, Woman Time Management (owner) -- Busy wife, mother of three adult/married children, grandmother of 10 (5 boys and 5 girls!), former high school teacher (M.A. from W.M.U.), Speaker, Author, Radio Personality, and Trainer of Professional Organizers.
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