Time Management: 7 top techniques

In the previous article, we'd gone through the basics of effective time management. In the following, we'll be exploring 7 top techniques to get the best of your time. Remember,

" Time is limited but you can control it "

Guide others to perform specific tasks

In modern management, the thought process is a lesser value-generating work to be done by a minimal wedge. Anyone can be eligible to practice the method of getting work done by others. There is a theory of 70%, which describes if someone is better than you for the 70% of that work, get it done by that very individual. Creating effective sub-ordinates will help you to focus that 20% of work which can only be done by you. There are few tips,

• Make sure the right person is chosen for the selected work.
• Not only solving a specific problem but taking decisions regarding it can be practised through sub-ordinates.
• The more you develop to guide your subordinates, the more professional expertise increases.

Concentrate on eternity

According to Earl Nightingale, Determination is the key to every success in life.

• One work through one hand - The king of all theory, once you start working on something, complete it 100% and start the next one. Leaving in between creates a 500% increase in completion of the work.
• Don't perform multiple tasks at once
• Decreased intelligence - Doing multiple tasks at once might result in a 10% decrease in your overall IQ.
• Concrete concentration - Carefully plan and according to importance, make the list of works. High performers ofter work in early morning or evening time, sometimes at the weekends. Another formula is to avoid the distractions, best is silent your phone or notifications.

Get rid of procrastination

Time gets stolen too, by harnessing procrastination. Results in stealing life, by getting rid of procrastination will determine your professional success. Let's practice creative procrastination.

• Do it, Now!
• Complete the big tasks, at first - Make smaller segments of the work and do it effectively, the work will be done in no-time.
• The "Bread" method - How we consume bread? We make pieces. Just like that make smaller pieces of the work as a whole and perform it accordingly.
• Become the "Work Dependant" human being - Only 2% of the total force can transform themselves in creating the importance of tasks and completing the most important one by maintaining proper steps.

Segment your "Time" into pieces

For a work to be done properly, 60-90 minutes is required so how can we divide time. Let's check the following,

• Never mix creative works with organizational tasks - For organizational tasks, quick thinking, decision making and short term prospects needs to be accounted for. Whereas for the creative tasks, are the actual opposite. Creative time is the internal principal time which helps to redesign your thought processing, plans and development.
• How to divide time - Start early, trigger to a 60-90 minute work segment at once to provide a head start. Make the best use of your lunchtime to regroup your thoughts.
• Usage of "Do not disturb" notice - To improve expertise practice a 1 hour "Do Not Disturb" twice a day.
• Gift yourself some "Extra" time - Start an hour early than everyone and stay an hour late, make it a habit, these extra hours will help you to de-clutter your time wastage.

Control the blocks

• 100% work only method - Stop distracting schedules while you complete your work. One by one finish the works planned.
• Avoid unnecessary phone calls. Schedule e-mails/texts to save some time.
• Stand and walk to have a conversation. Not only others can waste your time but you can too. Ask others and based on the answers you can control.

Control your assistants ( The 3-peat method )

1. Complete the same type of works at ease. Email / Social Media is your assistants. Control the interaction time with them. Cluster social media timing, checking emails 2/4 times a day. Auto reply to email can be a saviour, if you are used to it, your contacts will too.
2. Control how much calls you receive. Compile all the calls and reply at once. While calling someone or receiving a phone call, make sure you ask if it's the right time to talk. Receive calls anytime this must be restricted while you're on work. Remember too much checking you phone hampers concentration.
3. Conduct Productive meetings. Calculate the expense of the meeting, work hour multiplied with the time they spend in the meeting will help to calculate the expense. Avoid unnecessary meetings. Prepare an agenda before any meeting. Conduct the meetings just in time. Ask as much as questions possible for the productive usage of time. If any organization spends 25% time in meeting it's a sign of an ineffective organization according to Peter Drucker.

Importance of self-development to control time

In the following segment, we'll go through how self-development can enhance time management.

Rapid reading and memorize

• Never read anything which hinders your time. Read the important segments only. 500-1000 words per minute reading calibre can help you to become more productive.
• Make a concrete list of all the perceived information.
• Classified reads. Read the summary before you go through any book.
• Straight "No" helps.
• Nurture a good habit. An effective reading habit will help you to create your own methodology to make improved decisions.

Invest in Self Development

• To develop thyself, make sure you are going through all the latest developments. According to Dennis Whitley, self-development is a belief.
• Continuous development is the key - Work every day for your improvement, remember it's a continuous process. Not only focusing on the result but the process will help the development. Invest your commuting time to gather knowledge. You can browse through social media / learn something new, the choice is yours.
• Attend programs where specialist talks would be held - Invest in any 4 seminars/workshop/event where industry experts will be delivering a speech. Learn from the experiences is better than bookish knowledge. For real-time success avoid theoretical knowledge but focus on practical outputs.

Organize your work-premises

• Successful time management begins from your desk. Before starting, tide up your work desk. Be organized and work in an organized way.
• Tidying up will help to increase your productivity.

The key to effective time management is keeping the balance. Practising the techniques discussed in this article by Brian Tracy will help to improve your time management. Remember any habit can only be achieved through thorough practice. You have to work on your internal life goals. It depends on how much you're willing to help yourself to reach that pinnacle is the starting point. Taking care of your health is the next step. Based on your physical condition, your mind performs. Take care of your relationships which matter most to you. A great life is balanced, controlled and consistent.

In the following two parts we'll be discussing through an interesting technique of effective time management. Feel free to let me know your thoughts in the comment section.