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Ask
yourself:
-
Does
what I am doing add value to my life (and times of pure fun and
relaxation are essential too)?
-
What
will happen if I don't do it?
-
Can
I delegate it?
-
Can
I spend less time on it?
SOME
COMMON TIME WASTERS
-
Telephone
Interruptions
-
Drop-in
Visitors
-
Meetings
-
Crisis
Management
-
Lack
of Objectives, Priorities a Daily plan
-
Cluttered
Desk, Personal Disorganization
-
Ineffective
Delegation
-
Attempting
too Much at Once
-
Lack
of Clear Communication
-
Inadequate,
Inaccurate Delayed Information
-
Indecision
and Procrastination
-
Confused
Responsibility and Authority
-
Inability
to Say "No"
-
Leaving
Tasks Unfinished
-
Lack
of Self-Discipline
MORE
COMMON TIME WASTERS (IN RANK)
-
Planning
(lack of)
-
Priorities
(lack of)
-
Telephone
interruptions
-
Disorganization/cluttered
desk
-
Procrastination
-
Visitors
-
Lack
of Self Discipline
-
Ineffective
delegation
-
Attempting
too much
-
Inability
to say 'No'
-
The
80/20 Principle: 20% of activity gives 80% of results and 80% of
activity gives 20% of results (known as the Pareto Principle)
*
Focus on the important few activities, not the trivial many.
*
Don't procrastinate.
*
The key is self discipline.
*
"First we make habits, then habits make us."
TIME
TIPS FOR THE BUSY
Get
the news only once a day - in only one form -read the paper or watch
television or listen to the radio, but vary the form so you don't get the
news through one bias. Don't worry about or spend time on things irrelevant
to you, eg.. reading every bit of the newspaper.
Unless
it is crucial for your business, the news is not only depressing (don't
worry about it, unless you can do something about it), but it gives a
distorted picture of life.
If
you can't sleep, don't waste time lying in bed. Get up and do something.
Use
an answer phone.
Walk
out of a poor movie or show. You've already wasted the money - so don't
waste the time as well.
Plan
your leisure. Don't expect your free time to fall into place by itself. Plan
your weekends as carefully as you plan your weeks...and it's OK to do
nothing.
Don't
read a book, just because it has been given to you - if it doesn't interest
you, give it to someone who would be interested.
Stop
going to social events you would rather avoid -life's too short. On the
other hand, don't miss a social event you would enjoy just because you feel
tired.
If
you enjoy something it revitalizes you. But remember - there is usually work
tomorrow!
"Never
hurry - and don't worry -and don't forget to stop and smell the
flowers." - Walter Hagen, American
Golfer
"What
I do with this day is important, because I have exchanged a day of my life
for it." "Take rest; a field that has rested gives a
beautiful crop." - Ovid
I
like the words of the Simon and Garfunkel song: "Slow down, don't you
go so fast" from 'Feeling Groovy'. Not that I feel that way here in
"Sleepy Hollow" in the beautiful country that is Godzone! So
just take and plan your time carefully.
Always
remember, "Yesterday is a cancelled cheque, tomorrow is a promissory
note, today is ready cash - use it well."
WHEN
YOU TAKE CONTROL OF TIME, YOU TAKE CONTROL OVER YOUR LIFE.
************************
Visit
Craig Lock, http://www.craiglock.com
About
the Author: Craig Lock has written extensively in the field of self help.
This extract is from his first published book HANDBOOK TO SURVIVE - a
collection of writings on various subjects to help every man or woman
survive in a rapidly changing, uncertain world. HANDBOOK can be purchased
at: http://www.nzenterprise.com/writer/books.html
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