Picking a Time Management System October 3, 2006
Posted by wnelson in Time Management.add a comment
Franklin Covey, Daytimer, Timesystem, DayMinder, Outlook, paper/electronic…What a lot of choices for time management. And the truth? It doesn’t matter! Pick one that fits you. However, there are some points to look for:
Appointments
The planning system should include a place to schedule your daily appointments and scheduled activities by hour.
Long Range Calendar
The planner should allow you to schedule activities several months out. For this, electronic systems are very convenient because you pick a date, write the activity, and you’re done. No rewriting required. Paper systems require you to place an item on a monthly calendar and then on a daily calendar.
Things to Do
Most planners have a place for a “things to do” list. The “things to do” should have space for three elements: 1) The item, 2) A spot for priority, 3) A spot for checking it off when done. The “things to do” section should have room for both personal and business items.
Long Range Goals
The system should provide you with space for long range goals – those goals that you want to include so you don’t forget them.
Diary
A good planner has room for a daily diary. The diary can include conversations, meeting proceedings, phone calls, thoughts, and your actual activities (to compare against your planned activities in the appointments section).
Contacts Records
A place to record contact information – phone numbers, addresses, etc, is a necessity.
Frills and Extras
Some sections that might be useful:
Expenses – allows you to record dollars spent and categories, as well as mileage.
Projects – for heavy duty project management, pages that allow for project planning
Data Management – a section to index data, long range goals, diary items, and any other data for faster retrieval.
Electronic Versus Paper
Electronic planners have the advantage of automatic reminders for appointments and no need for rewriting items. Additionally, electronic systems make data retrieval simple with search capabilities. However, if it’s a PC-based system, you will need a notebook computer. And even with a notebook computer, you have to have enough battery to use it in remote areas. Of course, you can print out information – but then you are using a paper system, right? PDA’s help with the problems, but synchronization with your PC is a must. The downside of PDA’s – the inconvenience of the methods of entering data.
Overall, which system to choose for your time management system is a personal choice – try several and pick the one that suits you. What’s important is implement time management and stick to it.
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Old Year’s Resolutions and New Habits September 24, 2006
Posted by wnelson in Time Management.add a comment
Most of us know about the concept of New Year’s resolutions at least, even if we don’t make them. And most of us agree that the idea of making goals for the new year is a good idea. OK, I’m looking out over the net…..How many of you actually made resolutions? How many of those resolutions did you keep? After three-quarters of a year have passed, how many of you actually remember all your resolutions? How many remember just one? If you didn’t make resolutions, why? Is it because you are a realist and know you won’t keep them or remember them? I’m in your category. I have never taken these January resolutions very seriously. So, today, on the eve of the Autumnal Equinox, in this year two thousand six, I’m going to make some OLD YEAR RESOLUTIONS. Why? Because I want to develop some new habits so I can hit the ground running in the new year.
Let’s talk habits. What is a habit? Merriam Webster’s Online Dictionary defines a habit as “an acquired mode of behavior that has become nearly or completely involuntary.” That’s what I want – to do the right things without thinking. Things like exercising. Wouldn’t it be great if when January 1 comes around, first thing in the morning, I get out of bed and work out? Automatically. No thinking. Merriam Webster also says about a habit: : a behavior pattern acquired by frequent repetition or physiologic exposure that shows itself in regularity or increased facility of performance. OK, so I develop this automatic behavior by repetition. Got it.
What’s this have to do with time management? Well, time management is a way to reinforce repetitive behavior. If every morning, you wake up and spend 15 minutes planning your day, you can place on your schedule first thing “work out.” Make a list of new habits you want to take on – your Old Year Resolutions. Keep that with your calendar and bring it out every morning. Add activities to your calendar that support that list.
