Founding Father, Ben Franklin, said, “Time is money”. Peter Drucker, world-renown management consultant, said, “Until we manage time, we can manage nothing else.” As strategic coaches, we say, “You’ll never manage your time until you learn to manage technology, tools, and yourself.”
Like DOS 3.0, managing time is obsolete. The skill of time management was applicable during the post-World War II industrial age; however, it is no longer an effective tool in our fast-paced information age.
To create more time and get more done in today’s competitive environment, learn to better manage technology, tools, and yourself with a few of these tips:
- Make “no” your friend. Learn to say it to yourself and others.
- Set boundaries with clients to avoid scope-creep.
- Frequently ask yourself “Does this further my goals?”
- Monetize your time. Determine what your time is worth and how to get a return on your investment.
- Upgrade your skills. Instead of trying to manage time, learn how to manage your goals.
- Prioritize your actions. Make goal achievement activities your preference.
- Automate repetition activities.
- Manage deadlines – yours and others.
- Manage expectations – yours and others.
- Avoid multitasking. It’s not what it’s promoted to be.
- Make paper remember so you can forget. Calendar your to-do list.
- Overcome the urge to respond immediately to the request of others.
- Don’t let email control you.
Today’s achieving small business owners are implementing goal management technology and tools to make the most of their time and advance their goals. How about you? Are you ready to shift gears?
