subject: Time Management-why Planning Will Help You Progress Much Faster In Time Management [print this page] Managing your time begins with having a correct value of time. How much do you value your time? You are more likely to make the most of your time if you value yourself and have high personal self-esteem. Once time is gone, you can't get it back. Brian Tracy says, "Every minute contains a lifetime." Your happiness in nearly all aspects of your life depends on how you use your time.
Planning makes action much easier. Part of planning is studying it out in your mind. Everything is spiritually created before it is physically realized. Planning helps you discover what you should do. Plan your year out. List out 10 to 20 goals you want to accomplish during the year. Include all aspects of your life. Some will be more important to you than others will.
Do not kick yourself if you don't accomplish the less important objectives. Put all your heart and soul into your most important objectives. Align your goals with your values. For many making goals is a frustrating process because they don't accomplish them. The more your goals are aligned with your values and the more emotion you put into them the more likely you will accomplish them.
Planning is not a onetime event. It should be done consistently, at a minimum on a weekly basis. Writing out your daily task list is planning. It is best to make your list the night before.Write down the specific steps you need to accomplish each goal/objective. Annotate your primary (most important) steps and secondary (less important) steps you need to do. Consistency is the key. Small steps made consistently over time ads up to eventual success.
Understand the 80/20 rule. 80 percent of your success comes from 20 percent of your actions, customers, accounts, tasks, etc. Focus on the most important task. You're lucky if your small action brings you 80% of your success.
Through planning you will be able to identify many (not all) detours and obstacles in advance. Through advance planning you will know what to say no to. Some people have a hard time saying no, but you can't do everything you possibly want in life. You need to know when to say no.
The obstacles you discover in advance of starting an endeavor or goal will put you further ahead. Come up with a contingency plan to overcome every obstacle. Frequently revisit your contingency plan, especially if you are having trouble realizing your goal. In your planning, make deadlines when your goals will be accomplished. This will help you stay focused, motivated and on task to accomplish them.
Develop a long-term plan, which will give you ideas for your short-term plan.
Plan ahead of time what you will do during the idle times. Statistics show that you spend years in the bathroom and eating and a few years just waiting in grocery stores and bank lines. Plan in advance 5 to 15-minute tasks you can accomplish and do them during these time thefts. Often inspiration comes on the move. An answer to a problem may come during these idle times.
