Time management

Today at work, we had a training class on time and information management. The man who presented the class was a successful time management consultant who also previously worked in the hotel industry. He made some really good points so I thought I would share a couple with you.

One thing he touched on is how we don’t end our work day at the end of each day. Instead, we take things home with us that keep up awake at night which causes all kinds of other problems. One tip he gave us was to keep a daily diary that includes a to-do list. The to-do list is fluid and if everything doesn’t get finished that day, it’s okay. It can be finished tomorrow. Maybe it’s not as important as we may think it is, so he suggested not stressing if you don’t complete all tasks and this will help with the sleepless nights.

As for the to-do list, he suggests trying to complete it before noon (but again don’t stress if something comes up to keep that from happening). Giving yourself a noon deadline allows for those things that come up that you can’t control. It gives time in the afternoon to face the other things that the day will present. Meeting should be scheduled in the afternoon, and never on a Monday morning.

One final thing he suggested...plan your weekend on Monday. It gives you something to look forward to and a goal to work toward. We work for FEMA which means a lot of people are here from somewhere else. If you find yourself in that type of situation, find something to do that makes you happy. Our presenter joined a rowing club and he goes out on the weekends to row. I have another Co-worker who has been taking dance lessons and one who does yoga at a local gym.

Maybe one of these tips will help you. Me? I’m looking for my calendar that I bought at the beginning of the year that I haven’t been using. Time to start getting more organized.