GREAT 165 IDEA: Five Quick Time Management Tips

Time management expert, Peter Gordon, offered me five tips to share with you.

1. Start with the big picture. Ask yourself what you want to accomplish, where you are trying to go, and what the most important things are for you to do. “This type of clear thinking will give you a solid foundation for goal setting, prioritizing, and establishing a clear sense of direction,” said Gordon.
2. Use one planning and organizing system. “Consolidate your various calendars, schedules, and to-do lists into a single electronic or paper organizing system. Eliminate those floating notes and scraps of paper,” said Gordon. “Add phone numbers to your contact list for quick access.”
3. Invest the time to plan each day. “Review and prioritize your to-do list, blocking out time for the most important tasks,” said Gordon.
4. Make appointments with yourself. Schedule time to do certain mundane tasks, especially ones you don't like to do. Gordon says this is a great way to avoid procrastination.
5. Batch the little things. “For maximum efficiency, batch tasks together and handle them all at once, whenever possible.”