The Big Idea

One of the factors to success is the ability to manage tasks efficiently and systematically in a similarly conducive environment. Practicing time management allows you to accomplish the more important tasks on time; and helps you achieve the goals you have set for yourself.

Organized to Be Your Best! gives simple tips on how to get started and maintain good organization practices. Being productive doesn't have to be difficult. After all, it's supposed to make life easier for you!

How to Be Positively Organized!

Being organized goes beyond having a clutter-free office, it also involves getting your priorities in order and finding the time to do all the things you want. Another benefit of being positively organized is that you are able to create a balance between the different aspects of your life such as work and family.

In order to do this, you must first be able to identify personal and professional goals you would want to achieve. These goals help you stay on track.

Writing down goals is a very powerful technique. Make sure your goals are specific, and that they clearly define what you want to do. Knowing why you want to achieve these goals and mapping out ways to achieve them keeps you committed. Goals do not necessarily have to be realistic all the time. The higher you aim, the better.

Techniques to Ensure Success

1. Put your goals into writing.

2. Read them daily before you do your planning and before you go to sleep.

3. Take some action on your goals every day or at least every week.

4. Share them with another person and listen to their goals as well.

5. Every week, write down and accomplish smaller goals that relate to your long-term goals.

6. Review and revise your goals at least twice a year. Always make sure that your goals reflect your deepest values.

7. Let your goals inspire you and not haunt you.

8. Include both professional and personal goals to increase the balance of your life.

Time Management: What You Really Need To Know Time Management helps you manage the important things in your life. It is also the basis of any good organization. Time management helps you focus on tasks that are essential in reaching your goals.

Planning and Prioritizing

Planning and prioritizing are the foundations of time management. They clearly define your short-term and long-term goals; and make decision-making on a daily basis easier.

Identify priorities according to the importance of the task and how soon it is needed. Classify the tasks according to the following:

1. Important and urgent.

2. Urgent but not important.

3. Important but not urgent.

4. Not urgent and not important.

Remember that you should make time to do tasks that are important but not urgent because they are activities that can help you accomplish your goals.

Six Ways to Maximize Planning and Prioritizing When Making To-Do-Lists

1. Plan tomorrow, today, and put your plan into writing.

2. Revise your plan. Stay flexible and use common sense!

3. Make at least one, screened-time appointment with yourself each day.

4. Consolidate activities and avoid unnecessary to-dos.

5. Make time every day to work on your "should" ? priorities.

6. Write down key goals, activities, or projects for the week.

How to Handle Too Much to Do in Too Little Time

Control Interruptions at Work

Interruptions often hinder you from finishing your work. These interruptions are either things that you cannot control, such as mail delivery or incoming calls, or events that can be controlled because you initiate them.

Some interruptions are part of your work, but some are unwarranted. Ask yourself if these interruptions are necessary. If they aren't, find creative ways to go about it.

Five Secrets to Taming Telephone Time

1. Take control through preparations and planning. When making telephone appointments, make sure to take note of the best times to call. Decide if some meetings are best done over the phone or over another medium such as email.

2. Remember what you say goes a long way with PTA. PTA, or positive telephone attitude, helps you establish good relationships with people you work with.

3. Use concise communication. Be specific on times when it would be best to reach you or how much time you can spare to converse with the other person.

4. Take notes and take action. Some calls require you to call back after a period of time. Take notes when making a call so that you won't forget important details or even the name of the person you are talking to.

5. Train your telephone team. If you have other people answering your phone for you, train them how to handle or answer calls. Teach them how to screen the important ones and how to take notes.