How to Take Control Over Your Time

by Lisa on March 15, 2012

The following post is from Lisa of Working Naked:

source: Sean MacEntee

I’ve always wondered how a time management seminar could last two days. So, a few weeks ago I went to one. By the end of the first day, I knew I was right…the speaker could have shared all of his information in three hours, not eight. He showed us how we were wasting time — I could relate because I was wasting time at the seminar — and he gave us exercises to help us realize how we could make better use of our time.

By the second day, I felt sorry for the corporate employees who realized that when they went back to work, they’d have to play catch-up for the next few days.

Let me save you a few days by sharing a few time management tips I didn’t learn at the seminar, but instead through trial and error.

Do a self-check.

Throughout the day, ask yourself if what you’re doing is the best use of your time. Are you working on something you need to finish today or could you work on it another day? Set the timer on your phone or use a simple kitchen timer to remind you to evaluate how you’re using your time. You don’t have to check up on yourself more often than every three hours, because otherwise you’d be wasting time.

Work during your more productive times.

I used to say that I was a morning person, and then an afternoon person, and now I’m a “work when I can” person. Between my sons’ and my clients’ schedules, I need to be flexible. Concentrate on important tasks during the time you’re more productive and leave the less important tasks for when your energy level is low.

Work around your family’s schedule.

One of my clients works non-traditional hours. He waits for his kids to go to bed, and then he works between 8pm and 3am Monday-Friday. After that he sleeps for a few hours, has breakfast with his kids, and then goes back to sleep until around 11:00am. When his children come home from school, he’s available to spend time with them. Your schedule may not be the same every day; so plan ahead to make sure you can meet all of your deadlines and still have time to spend with your family.

Stay focused.

It’s easy to start one project and then bounce to another without finishing the first. At times, I’m the perfect example. At the end of the day, I’m exhausted, but I haven’t accomplished as much as I’d hoped to. If the same thing happens to you, refocus, stay on task and don’t be surprised if you start to accomplish more each day. Also, use a to-do list to keep yourself on track and to help you stay focused.

When you work for yourself, every minute counts. By recognizing the ways you’re wasting time, you’re one step closer to saving time.

How do you avoid wasting time?

	Home office expert Lisa Kanarek is the founder of WorkingNaked.com and the author of five books about working from home, including Organize Your Home Office For Success. Lisa works with entrepreneurs and home-based employees through seminars and individual consultations, to create functional home offices that meet each individual’s working style.

Professor Cupcake

It’s still surprising to me how difficult it is to work from home!

Anonymous

It’s challenging, but worth it!

Racermeg

do not turn on the TV! TV seems to suck in the time, attention, and motivation that I need to place elsewhere….
Mouskins

Don’t Grocery Shop Hungry!!!
http://pulse.yahoo.com/_PMG54CUNDEOHQ6G6G3DENLI5ZY LindaP

favorite: books; most unusual: entire exhaust system for my Forester, and chrome decorative hardware for kitchen cabinets, 3D glasses, and a convection oven.
http://lifeyourway.net Mandi @ Life Your Way

Too funny, Hannah — I love your list!
http://alidavies.com/ Ali Davies

I prefer to focus on self management than time managment. I find I get much better results that way.

http://lifeyourway.net Mandi @ Life Your Way

Do you think this is just semantics…time management is just managing ourselves in relation to the time we have, isn’t it? Or do you see key differences between the two approaches?

http://alidavies.com/ Ali Davies

Mandi, I find there is an important distinction between the two, from a mindset and achieving real change point of view.

If we think we are trying to manage time, it is easy to just focus on putting time management strategies in place that really are just managing deeply ingrained bad habits or other issues.

Those issues don’t actually go away. We are just managing them with time management systems.

But if we focus on self management first, we are more likely to get to the real source of the problem and if you get to the source of why you need the time management strategy, you can take action to eliminate or reduce that issue.

I see self management mindset as a more permanent solution to the reasons we need time management systems in the first place.

For example, say you are a terrible procrastinator. Putting a time management strategy in place might manage that issue but it isn’t dealing with sorting it out. Say your procrastination is caused by lack of self confidence. No amount of time management focus is going to change that. Only working on your own personal development will.

So that is why I always say that the focus should be on self management first and getting to the real source of what is going on and tackling those issues offers a more long lasting solution than just focusing on time management alone.

http://lifeyourway.net Mandi @ Life Your Way

Thanks for sharing more of your viewpoint. I’m not sure I agree (still tossing it around in my head!), but I appreciate you taking the time to type that out!