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7 steps to taking control of your time

By Robert Greenshields

Republish: EasyPublish™
Published: 15Sep2007
Word count: 578
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One of the biggest obstacles to business success is allowing yourself to feel at the mercy of time.

It's too easy to say "I don't have time" but you choose how to spend your time and you can spend it wisely or badly.

Here are 7 ways in which you can take control of your time.

1. Stop inputting and start outputting

It's easy to be busy taking in new information and ideas but it's only taking action on them that gets results. If you're inputting information, you're not outputting real work and making money. If you're an info junkie, perhaps you need to go on an info diet.

2. Always remember why you are doing it

If you have set a clear vision for your business and distinct milestones on your way to achieving it, you'll find it much easier to manage your time.

If you are spending time on something that doesn't contribute towards getting your goals, you have to challenge yourself about why you are doing it.

3. Plan your day and stick to your plan

A minute spent planning can easily save you an hour later on. You should set aside particular times every day, week and month for planning. During this time, reflect on past achievements and future goals.

The best way to schedule is to split large tasks into smaller steps. It feels wonderful when you are able to tick it off at the end of the day and works as a great motivator.

4. Prioritize your time

Prioritization is figuring out which tasks are most important at a particular time and focus your attention, time and energy on them.

This means recognizing the difference between 'important' tasks (those that help us achieve our goals) and 'urgent' ones (which demand immediate attention but may not be related to our goals). Another important distinction is recognizing the difference between 'productive' time (which generates income) and 'unproductive' time (which makes no money).

5. Say No ' to yourself as well as to others

The truth is, no matter how efficient you are, you can't do everything. So, one of the most useful things you can do is go through your 'to-do' list and decide what you don't really need to do.

The management guru Peter Drucker said: "There is nothing so useless as doing efficiently something which shouldn't be done at all." Before you get into doing the things on your to-do list, consider whether they'd be better on your 'not-to-do' list.

Learning to say no is a vital time management skill. People much prefer to be told 'no' right away, rather than being let down later.

6. Develop systems and processes

If you have your work organized into clear processes, it makes it much easier to delegate. And, even if you're doing the work yourself, writing down the steps involved helps you use your time more efficiently. Productivity expert William Edwards Denning said: "If you can't describe what you're doing as a process, you don't know what you're doing."

7. Take care of yourself

If you are going to get things done and also to enjoy the lifestyle you want, you have to allocate time to doing things that you enjoy and taking care of yourself physically. Eat well, drink water, get plenty of sleep, relax, and take time off.

If you have your own business and can't enjoy a great lifestyle, then it's probably better to get a job.

Robert Greenshields is a marketing success coach who helps business owners and professionals who are frustrated that they're working too many hours for too little reward. Sign up for his free tips on earning more and working less at MindPower Marketing.

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