Time Management Skills - Power-Planning for Maximizing Time

By:

Time management skills are your tools for self-fulfillment. So your plans must align with what you value the most. These 5 tips make it easy to create powerful time choices.

1. Take 15 minutes a day for one week to explore what you truly want and why.

Review your planning patterns up to now. Do you make time choices to please yourself or others? What patterns or themes do you notice? Create a clear picture of what you want and what it will give you. Otherwise, your schedule can 'evaporate' in the face of daily demands.

Jot down notes. At the end of the week, you will be ready to set clear goals that truly represent how you picture your ideal life. Document your results.

2. Examine the outcome you have defined.

Is it realistic? If not, how can you revise it? Ask yourself why this is important to you. This reason is your motivator. Hold onto it in the stresses of daily living.

If it feels vague, make it more specific. Visualize the result in detail and identify each step you will take to attain it. Make any modifications necessary to bring your desired outcome to life. If it's so big you feel overwhelmed, select a smaller piece that motivates you right now.

Write it down and post it in several prominent locations. If you have a picture that symbolizes your successful result, display that, too.

3. Cultivate awareness.

Awareness helps you create powerful choices, keep on track and then enjoy the benefits more fully.

Establish a routine of reviewing your desired results 3 times a day or more. Create a daily ritual for yourself. Setting a timer for 5-10 minutes before meals to focus on this awareness is a great way to start.

4. Move forward by working backwards.

Once you fully assimilate your intention, you're ready to work backwards. Envision the outcome you desire clearly and mark realistic deadline on your calendar. Give yourself up to twice as much time as you think you'll need.

Now list your action steps. By working backwards, you're less likely to fall into the common trap of making action steps too big. Record the dates for every step on your calendar, too.

5. Fully participate in creating your success.

Now write down every action step that's required.

Make full use of any setbacks as experiences to learn from. The more permission you give yourself to learn as you proceed, the stronger your morale will be. If you need to revise your plan as you proceed, go right ahead. Flexibility is a hallmark of successful individuals.

Validate each and every success. You have created a series of time choices to align with your personal values, and you deserve to reinforce this commitment by rewarding yourself.

What is your next step to find more time?

Article Source: http://www.freeforallarticles.com

Paula Eder, Ph.D., The Time Finder, has guided individuals and organizations to effectively align values with their time choices for 35+ years. For free weekly time tips & an award-winning monthly Ezine, visit www.findingtime.net/ezine.html