Robyn Pearce Ten Top Time Management and Productivity Tips for 2014.........
- Write down your goals
It becomes easier to know where your priorities lie and stay focused when seductive time stealers try to lure you
away. It will help you use the most powerful time management tool you have – the use of ‘NO’ – politely. - In order to go faster, first you must go slower
Regularly invest in process improvement. Examples: templates, system improvements, better delegation,
outsourcing, business and personal development. The initial slowness is rapidly recouped and the time saved is
long-term. - Put aside ‘red’ time – and be unavailable
Block out at least one chunk (a minimum) of an hour of uninterrupted time each day for high-value work. Switch
everything off, don’t get distracted and focus. Get off-site if you have to. You’ll achieve much more by blocking. - Don’t major in minor things
With your daily list, don’t start on easy tasks - you’ll get bogged down in minutiae. Instead, handle at one or two
high-value activities first. It releases energy, reduces stress and you’ll be surprised how many other items still get
done. - Schedule in regular Sanity Gaps every 6 to 8 weeks
Book in recharge times, turn off the phone and don’t take work with you. To raise productivity levels, sometimes
you need to take a step back, to move forward. Take time to relax and catch up on things (and people) that
you’ve missed. - Do it NOW
Instead of thinking it – do it! Create momentum, make the first move and the rest will follow. A proactive
mindset is required to complete tasks on time. This helps keep your mind in the present. Putting off things to do
in the future can lead to procrastination- the unproductive kind. - Don’t do the ‘one last thing’ as it will make you late. Listen to your intuition! You might need that extra time to
focus on what needs to be done. By not doing the ‘one last thing’ you’ll be able to avoid rushing the next item on
your to-do list and prevent possible errors. - Become a walking question mark
Constantly ask: ‘How can I improve this activity?’ A danger is to fall into ‘comfort zones’ and we don’t like to
change. Known as the ‘it's how we do it round here’ mindset, welcome the chance to improve with good
questions. - Eliminate clutter
Do yourself a favour – clear up as you go. The feeling of freedom is its own reward. A messy desk filled with
stacks of paper and folders can add to your stress levels at work. Research shows that a tidy environment can
increase focus, making you more efficient and also applies to a clean home, car, office, room, purse or briefcase. - Delegate as fast as you can
If you’re doing work that someone else could do at a lower pay rate than you’d like to be paid, you’re restricting
your income opportunities. Consider the lost opportunity cost of getting bogged down in the wrong activities.
Look at ways to outsource low value areas in your professional and personal life that can benefit you immensely
more in 2014.
Robyn Pearce CSP is known as the Time Queen. She runs an international
time management and productivity business in New Zealand helping people
find ‘more time’. A multi award winning speaker, Robyn was country President
of the National Speakers Association of New Zealand 2002 to 2003 and
Global Speakers Federation International President 2006 to 2007.
Contact Robyn at http://www.gettingagrip.com or by calling +64 3 351 2140