Getting Things Done

So you have a bunch of paid options, but you can also just as well devise your own (free) methods. In fact, there is a popular book called “Getting Things Done” which deals with this very problem. The author outlines a broad strategy which should help anyone to develop some terrific time management strategies. Even though he is dealing more with procrastination than devising a time management system, you may find this book helpful.

Time Management Technique:  Write It Down

One thing above all else stands out in my mind, and that is to write things down. If you don’t write things down in some manner, then you really can’t say you have any sort of a system going. (Typing counts as writing, as would some sort of audio recording, although this may be impractical for most people.)

At a bare minimum, I will write down the tasks I have set for myself for the next day. For whatever reason I have just found that it is far more effective to devise my schedule of everyday tasks at least one day in advance. Often, I’ll do it a short time before going to bed. This way I have the day’s activities waiting for me as soon as I wake up in the morning. It really cuts down on procrastination for the first couple hours of the day. There is no time wasted “figuring out” what I should do today.

Keep A Written Or Electronic Calendar

One method of implementing this sort of a basic time management system is to enter one’s schedule into an online calendar such as Google and other e-mail providers offer. I am partial to this technique for medium to longer term planning. I find that I am at my computer so often that practically anytime I have to mark a date down on my calendar, I am already only one click away. It’s helpful to put your calendar’s bookmark right in your toolbar so that you don’t have to search for it at all. The basic premise is to make it easy for yourself to record things so that your time management becomes more effective.

Daily To Do List

In terms of shorter term time management techniques, I would recommend doing this somewhere off of the computer. Maybe this is just because my laptop is somewhat slow, but I find it more reliable to use an actual piece of paper. This way I can keep a list of chores on there, stick it in my pocket, and I’m able to refer to it wherever I am whether at home, at work, or on the go. This is just the particular time management system that I use. You may very well find some variation which works better for you. Or you may find an all together different one.