You know that in order to be more effective, you must create a To-Do list each day, but time management can be more than a hurriedly scrawled list on the back of an envelope. Here are some tips that may help you make the most of each day.
- Sit down to do your daily planning at the same time each day. It’s a lot like getting up at the same time each morning, after a couple of weeks, your body just tells you what you need to be doing. Whether it’s the first thing with your morning coffee or the last thing before you hit the sack, make a date to plan the day.
- Make your To-Do list entries specific. Instead of saying something like “Work on TPS reports,” say something like “Complete Section A of TPS Reports.”
- As you write your To-Do list, be sure you’ve appropriately prioritized it. Some people find it helpful to create a three column list. Those things in the first column must get done each day, those things in the second column are important, but no that important. Those things in the third column are just bonus material. PS – I find it helpful to give myself a reward for accomplishing things in my third column. A tall vanilla latte is always nice.
- Be sure that your days are not overscheduled. If they are, and something comes up (like an emergency) that you need to take care of right away, your whole day will be thrown into chaos.
