Why is Time Management Important? How to Get Things Done Fast in Your Business
If you start your day without planning exactly what you're going to do in your business, it's unlikely that you will be productive and get a lot of things done.
You need a simple, but deadly effective time management system.
Today, I'm going to share my system with you. It enables you to be productive day after day and getting an amazing amount work done on the fly.
Simple Time Management for Small Business…
I'm sure you know about the 80/20 rule. Most people get 20% of the things done in 80% of the time, and 80% of the things done in 20% of the time. And if you're like me, and you get most things done in the morning, then make sure you get 80% of your work done in the first 20% of the morning. And remember to do the "To Do" items on your list you fear, first! Then do the fun items!
This has improved my productivity by over 300%, because I always get most of the important "To Do" things done for the day.
The first thing I do when I plan my day, is to enter the tasks that I want to do into a software called the Journal. You can find this software at http://www.davidrm.com. With this amazing software you can enter your "To Do" list for the day, organize your notes about any topic you can think of, and write short stories and articles. In short, I use it for for any information I need to record and remember.
For example, if I need to jot down great information about a specific topic, I put it in the Journal. If I plan to do a specific project, I also put it in the Journal. So as you can see, the Journal simply represents all the information, planning, and goal setting I need to keep track of — in one place. My information is organized and I'm able to stay focused on my tasks ahead.
Time Yourself for Best Results…
I then use XNote Stopwatch to time me for 55 minutes while I do a specific task. I then take a break for 10 minutes, and then do the next task for another 55 minutes. These tasks are not set in stone as far as the length of time is concerned. I could also do a task for 45 minutes and break for 15 minutes if I'm not feeling good on that particular day. The main point though, is that I do the most important task of the day first, which guarantees that I'm getting things done day-by-day.
When I start my highly productive system on a particular day, it works as follows. I close my eyes and imagine how I'm getting the task done with speed and accuracy… And I see the great results I got from my actions. This only takes a few seconds.
I then open my eyes, set the time in XNote Stopwatch, and get cracking with my task for the next 55 minutes. Remember to be focused. Don't surf the Internet, don't call anyone and don't do anything else but this task for the next 55 minutes. I do this cycle at least four times a day.
Can you now see that you have to be productive, because you get 80% of your most important tasks done at the beginning 20% of everyday?
The beauty about the system is that you don't have to force yourself to work. You simply set your most important tasks you want to do the beginning of the day, and do them before you do anything else.
Create your own system and you'll be an action taker instead of a procrastinator.
It's true that management is really important. In fact, it's not just on business that time management is essential. Even in doing other things. Even when I do my hobby, which is needlecraft, I always see to it that I am able to budget my time too. SO i can enjoy with my hobby to the fullest, as well as with my work and other chores.
Ayers last blog post..Boost Your Energy to Finish Your Needlework Projects
Dear Riggie,
How do you think that such an approach could be integrated with a project management software?
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Lucian,
I don't use project management software, but I would personally create
long term and short term schedules — then I would concentrate on doing
at least four to five 55 minute sessions as I outlined in the above article.
That's the key. Easily taking massive action each day, and getting the things
done you fear most, and need to be done first.
This a important part of any successful business or person. Time is the most important factor after all. This post will provide and help a good source of knowledge for those want to study and learn about Time management.
I really liked the fact that you "prepared" yourself with some visualisation before you got stuck into your 55 minutes of focused attention. I consider remaining focused one of my biggest challenges in being optimally effective and you have inspired me to approach it in a slightly different way, I'll keep you posted as to my success
thanks you
it's truly admirable point that time management is very necessary for any kind of business it gives the direction of our works & also points out about the hurdles to overcome without the proper time management is just like a car driven by a mad driver !
Time is money is a well said proverb..if we learn how to manage, we can utilize our time optimally and we can make more money..your's one is nice trick to do it..
By reading to you post i really feel that it is one of the best way to utilise the time but some where i am confuse with this software- http://www.davidrm.com. How it will be helpful?.
Visualisation is a key aspect to doing things right the first time. If you can see yourself doing well in your mind's eye, then chances are you will do well in your own eyes too.
This is some good advice, but its easier said than done. I can't help but think of all the stuff I could get done if I didn't waste time
"The Journal" from http://www.davidrm.com helps you to keep all your
Notes, Daily Journal, Address Book in one place.
Basically, you can put all the information you need to run
a business or create products for a business in one place.
I use it daily and love it…
Time management is very important. But we should make our time program to be flexible also. And yes! I agree with the process of prioritization. Doing first what is the most important thing to do will not make you a person who have done nothing at the end of the day.
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Hi,
Time management is very important for any type of the business.thanks for the sharing the post.
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This is the first time I came across the 80/20 rule but that is what I have been doing for years. But usually, I try to do 100 percent on 20 percent of time. LOL
That way, I can have more fun towards the end of the day.
I often wonder if time management ist really so important. I think it could simply be better to focus on really important things. For example, stop using Twitter spares a lot of time
Of course this doesn't work if you use Twitter as a marketing tool. But think about it: what activities are really that important not to cut?
Great tips. I like the idea of using a stopwatch to time your work. Time-management is a very important aspect of a successful business. I will have to implement some of your strategies.
Well this software at davidrm.com is really great. Thanks for sharing. Sadly they are charging $39 for purchase of this software. I wish I could find free version of any software which can provide similar features like 'Journal'.
We Internet marketers talk so much about how great it is to be able to measure everything. But what about our time?! Great reminder about how you can measure your tasks to improve.
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I am huge list maker, but I never thought to time myself on my tasks. Thanks for the tip, I will give it a shot.
Of course, I know about the 80/20 rule, it is very effective in operating the small business. But the plan, before starting work, it is very important to do.
Hi, for me time management is the hardest thing. I'm really grateful for sharing the tipps. That's true that we should always start with things that are the most important. The earlier the better. The problem is that there are always things that keep distracting you. I think I'll start tomorrow with the journal that you recommend. Hopefully I will improve a little with time managing.
In any kind of any work the main important thing is the time management because the time has very great effect on our work!If the work is in the direction of the time then it is very good but if it is in the opposite of it so bad effect and we all know the hazardous effect of the time lag on us so i dont think that i have to give the examples for it so the main important factor is the time management!
Having a very perfect time management makes you & your work a very smooth going & if it is not like that then it becomes very difficult for us to stand in the 1st rank in our business society!so the time management is very necessary for us & for everyone!
Time is the most important factor after all.
Hi,
Very nice post.Time management is very important for the business to finished all the work.
Thanks for the sharing the information.
i agree because we need to focus on what would we get soon ..
we really need about management time i guess .. good
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It is well known by everybody that for having the progress in the business it is very necessary to have a good time management along with the perfect dynamic plan to commit & that's all!now i dont think that it is very necessary to tell much more about it!
I don't use project management software, but I would personally create
long term and short term schedules.
I linke the 10 min approach. Cut down your tasks into 10 minute babysteps and do nothing else in this 10 min. I also Link Tim Ferris (4 Hour Work Week) Idea to ask yourself 3 Times a day if you do the real essential To Dos or if you only play busy-ness
A hands-on mother and a busy wife as I am, many are asking how do I find time doing posts at the same time working on snow removal using a snow scoop. My answer is simple, proper time management.
yes it's true about time management is so important. we should focus so that need a good management in time to be succes on our bussines
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I haven't my own time management system yet. But after i read this post, I think it will be great for me to do this system. Thanks for you nice post Riggie.
Cheers,
Suroso
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I become very shy when my son who keeps telling me about the time management!in my poinis not only required in the business world but in the daily life also because by having a proper time managment you will feel very fit & ready to commit any of your desired task!
It's really very important to learn time management especially in business. For me, it's a skill one has to master. In fact, it's something one has to do well not only in business, but , also in other areas of one's life. Even in my, my hobby needlecraft, I always see to it that I have a timetable set for every project.
.-= Ayer @ needlecraft´s last blog ..My Needlepoint Site =-.
Time is money. who waste he will suffer in future.
For successful small business time management play a key role.
proper management always gives fruitful result.
i m agree with your word.
thanks for sharing
It is a worthwhile exercise to account for each minute of your day. You can then analyze for how much time is actually wasted. There is a great deal of labor in internet marketing and IM people are a dedicated bunch. What they lack are systems and automation. I always look for tools to make me more productive or to outsource. Link building is the biggest time eater. Maybe that's why Google based their algorithm on links or citations.
It is all about qualitative time management. Read Stephen Covey's book, "The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People." You can have effective time management and be a disaster if you do not do the right things.
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This a important part of any successful business or person. Time is the most important factor after all.
I like the way you always plan your day ahead and never procrastinate your plan. which is a very important thing even if you don't feel like working imagine the guilt you will have to handle at the end of the day, am sure this will lead to get going because feeling guilty is never welcomed.What i liked best was your technique of setting a timer it keeps you focussed and speed you up.
Great post! way to go with time management!I am also trying to apply it in my life.
Thats a coincidence, I was only just talking about the 80/20 rule to someone else just 5 minutes ago on a blog. You know it makes perfect sense – everyone does, but its surprising how few people, when faced with several tasks, will proactively have it in mind when deciding what to do.
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Yes, it is a good article. First thing first. WAITING FOR NEXT UPDATE.
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Great article. One of the most effective approaches to time management that I have learned was when I got involved in event planning. This year I've been part of creating some career management workshops and I learned how important it is to keep track of and marshal the time. For example if we have a panel that is to be one hour and we have four speakers, I can then begin to deconstruct the event in terms of how many topics can be addressed and how long each speaker can take to respond. Also, you have to take into account the questions from the attendees. Forced limitations does give you the opportunity to improvise and economize.
If you are very keen with time management, you'll see how much productive you can be and get things done fast as expected. Your business will definitely progress.
Your are absolutely right! Time management is key to success. I'm using todo a well. But i dont use any 3rd partly software, my iphone's build in to do list is great!
Your comments on time management are right on. Especially running a online business it's easy to spend alot of time on unproductive tasks.
To add a bit of triva: The 80-20 rule is actually known as the "Pareto Principle"; named after the Italian economist. A more general way of stating it is that 80 percent of the effects arise from 20 percent of the causes.