| SolveYourProblem Article Series: Time Management
How Can I Manage My Time Better?
7
Great Time Management Tools
Time management is very much a product of
effective planning and balancing of your life activities, but
there are also plenty of tools and resources that can help
you in your quest for a more peaceful life.
Below are a few simple ideas that can help you save time and
get more focused:
Planner
or date book. Sometimes getting focused is a simple
matter of having a clear system to organize the activities
and tasks you need to get done each day. A good planner can
help, but even a simple blank notebook can do wonders too.
Start by keeping a list of your daily chores and obligations,
and check them off as you get them done.
Dry
erase calendar. You may also find it helpful to buy a
large dry erase calendar and hang it in a prominent location
in your home. The kitchen or a frequently-traveled hallway
would be good locations. On this calendar, mark down important
activities and commitments for all members of the family. Record
your kids’ activities, your own meetings, doctor and dentist
appointments, special functions, etc. You can plan a week ahead
of time, or even a whole month at a time. After each event
has passed, erase it so you have a clear, at-a-glance view
of the things coming up next.
Software
programs with reminders and alarms. Many of the email
and organization software programs available today offer great
little settings that can remind you of important activities.
You can schedule everything from birthday and anniversary reminders
to notes of encouragement for yourself!
Or, use a reminder
service. There are also reminder services
out there that are absolutely free to use. You simply sign
up for a free account, set the dates and activities you want
to be reminded about, and they will send an email notification
on the date and time you specify. This is a handy tool worth
using if you need help remembering activities and special occasions.
One such popular service is www.memotome.com; or try an internet
search for “reminder service.”
Mini-recorder
(or notebook). Get into the habit of carrying
a mini digital recorder in your pocket or purse, or alternatively
a small notebook and pen. When you find yourself waiting in
line, stuck in traffic or you simply have a few minutes to
kill, use your recorder or notebook to record ideas, strategies
and plans to save time later. This also works well to remind
yourself of things to do later, like picking up a few things
from the store on the way home, gift ideas for upcoming birthdays
and holidays, etc.
Outsourcing
services. If your daily schedule is packed full
of chores and obligations that you can’t seem to pare down
or delegate, consider outsourcing some of them to individuals
or companies that can help. For example, if you find that you
spend a lot of time nagging your spouse to do the yard work
(or you’re forced to do it yourself and it poses a real drain
on your time and energy), call a few local landscaping companies
and check out their rates. Likewise do the same for housecleaning
services, dog walkers, grocery delivery services, and more.
You might think these services are too expensive, but you’d
be surprised at how inexpensive they can be. Besides, when
you consider the increased time and peace of mind you gain
by letting others shoulder some of the load on your behalf,
you’ll quickly feel justified about the extra expense.
Organizational
tools. If you spend a lot of time hunting for
things you need because you’re swimming in a sea of clutter,
consider investing in a few good organizational systems (or
even hiring a professional organizer to get you started on
the right foot). Once again this will involve some extra expense
at first, but in the end your peace of mind will be worth it.
All of these tools may seem overly simple, but don’t be fooled!
They can go a long way toward helping you balance your life
activities. Remember, simplicity is what you’re after anyway!
The simpler and more efficient you can make your daily schedule,
the less stress you’ll have to deal with.
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by SolveYourProblem.com
: 2009
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