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| The most obvious way
to manage your time is to schedule. Schedule monthly,
schedule weekly and schedule daily. Write down
everything you need to get done. Now! |
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The moment you know
you’ll need to get something done, put it in your
schedule – even if it’s months away. |
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Assign project deadlines
two days in advance; this way you’re always on
time even when new projects are assigned. |
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Make weekly plans the
Friday before and daily plans the previous afternoon.
Try to do all of the important projects first
thing in the morning so that they are done before
you become overwhelmed with basic office administration
and interruptions. |
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If you need to alter your schedule,
get back on track ASAP!
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Start an idea book and keep it handy.
A notebook dedicated to your bright ideas will let you
quickly scribble down each "million-dollar idea"
that pops into your head. Later, when you have more
time, you can give your ideas a bit more thought and
rewrite them into effective plans of action.
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Keep your desktop and files tidy. By removing
the clutter from the surface of your desk, you’re removing
distractions. Keep all information unrelated to your
immediate project in well-labeled, color-coded files.
Frequently used information sheets and sources of creative
influence should be hung on the walls around your work
area instead of spread out on your desk.
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Reward yourself for a job well done every
time you finish a project. Your reward could be as insignificant
as a trip to the coffee room or as extravagant as a
new suit. You decide.
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To contact people who simply need a yes
or no response, call them back when you know they won’t
be around. You may call early in the morning, during
the lunch hour or later at night. Free yourself from
the usual "how’s the weather over there…?"
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Start an unread e-mail file. There seems
to be no effective way to stop junk e-mails from filling
your inbox (and hey, you might want to read some of
it – just not today). Move all of your less important
e-mails to an "unread e-mail" file until you
either have a bit more time or just need a quick pick-me-up.
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Regardless of how swamped you are, never
deprive yourself of a lunch break, even if only 15 minutes.
You may not feel hungry but your body and mind need
food in order to continue functioning at peak levels.
Taking your mind off the project you’re working on will
also often give you fresh insight. |
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1. Meeting in America: A study of
trends, costs and attitudes toward business travel,
teleconferencing and their impact on productivity.
A network MCI Conferencing White Paper, 1998.
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