The Key to Utilizing Your Time Effectively

For most of us, without even realizing it, we don’t use time to the best of our ability.

And each day, we waste valuable seconds and minutes without even being aware of it.

We utilize this time:

- Fire Fighting - putting out one fire only for the next one to come up
- Attending a meeting - that we didn’t add any value to nor did we learn anything we couldn’t have had a team member share in 5 minutes or less
- Reading emails that really we don’t even need to be part of
- Drop-in visitors - “Do you have a second” Let’s face it - it’s never really a second.
- Improper use of Yes and No - saying yes when you really know to say no.
- Technology interruptions - the latest IM, Text Message, Phone call
- Lack of organization

And so much more!

And with the right tools in place, you can turn it all around.

It requires:

* Self-discipline - Saying no. Avoiding distractions and multitasking
* Prioritization - what really needs to be done now? What can wait?
* Preparation - Planning tomorrow, today.
*Reflection - What’s working for you? What’s not? How can you leverage other resources to accomplish the same task (i.e. your team)

And finally choice. Choosing what you will and won’t focus on.

Time is a valuable, non-renewable resource, how will you utilize the time you have available?