In our opinion, at OfficeTime, time management is REALLY about decision management.  It’s the ability to successfully choose what we do and how much time we spend on it.  It’s one reason that we developed the best Time Tracker out there – to help us navigate our own successful path. So here are three time management tips to help you navigate your to do list without losing your cool – or your mind!

Priority #1. Hot, hot hot. So hot, you gotta’ do it NOW.

Sometimes we DON’T have a choice – sometimes the computer crashes or the kid breaks a toe – things DO jump in that demand immediate, urgent attention.  It’s important to recognize that while SOME of them are not known, some of the urgent issues in our life ARE known right now.  Today is Monday, and why not take a moment and list the hot, urgent items we know and MUST do this week.  These aren’t things we can possibly do later – so don’t list stuff you wish you’d do (but might not).  Be disciplined here and only list the stuff that leaves no recourse but do it NOW.

Priority #2. So important that it’s vital and should not be missed.

Let’s get clear on this. Priority 2 items are not ONLY business. Be sure to include time with your family, time to work out, time to FEED your soul and body – or you won’t be strong and healthy enough to work your butt off.

After those items are scheduled, add in your firm deadlines for the week – and THEN block out time before the deadline to work on the project.  NOT the day of.  Obviously.  Remember to lace in the other time management techniques that we talk about all the time, like delegation.  If you have a week full of deadlines, then delegate all the small stuff you can, so you can stay on point.

Priority #3. All the rest of it.

Yes, the inbox is never empty and all the rest of your stuff MUST be fit in as well.  But by going for #1 and #2 first, you’ll stop the drowning, create more free time, and have more room to attach priority #3.

Time management becomes a LOT easier when you know where it all goes.  You can download the free version of OfficeTime iOS at http://bit.ly/OfficeTimeFree – and get a 21-day trial of the desktop version at http://OfficeTime.net.

Tracking your time ALSO means effectively BILLING your time. So we’re happy to support our tribe in that effort, no matter what priority list their working on!

Here’s to your VERY successful week!

Time. The real commodity.
Stephen Dodd, Founder of OfficeTime.net