Winning The Fight Between You And The Clock

"Slaves to the clock" was the cover story in the March issue of CEO magazine.

"You can never out work a problem, you have to out think it." said A.G. Lafley, Proctor & Gamble's CEO."

Too much to do. Too little time. It's a universal problem. From the CEO to the newest hire.

We're bombarded with information. E-mail, faxes, voice mail, overnight deliveries and old-fashioned snail mail. Unexpected phone calls, impromptu meetings, and emergencies that force us to drop everything.

So many projects, tasks, problems, opportunities, and people are fighting for our time and attention that it's almost impossible to separate the important from the urgent from the unnecessary.

With so much clutter it's easy to lose track of long- and short-term goals. And... the proposal that's got to be finished by 3:00 p.m. this afternoon.

It's easy to spend eight, ten, or twelve hours each day doing things that don't have any real payoff.

And we wonder why we feel like we're stuck in quicksand. The more we struggle the deeper we sink.

"P&G's Lafley says, "I'm here by 7:00 a.m. so that gives me a stretch of uninterrupted thought before the workday officially swings into action and the phones start ringing." "

Time is the one thing that limits us. The common lamentation is 'If only I had more time.' That's the wrong premise.

The problem is we're using our valuable and precious time, in unproductive and non-rewarding ways.

Busy... yes. Productive... NO!!!

Think differently. Don't manage your time.

Do come in early so you can get some work done before everybody else arrives? Before the phone starts ringing? Before your meetings start?

Before the day - and your schedule - falls apart because of the many fires you must put out?

Fires! Fires! Fires!

Someone didn't do what they were supposed to do, when they were supposed to do it. Now it lands on your desk.

You're forced to drop everything and put out the fire. Your whole day goes up in smoke and you don't realize that somebody's guilty of arson.

To be successful in today's highly-competitive world you must be focused. You must have long and short-term goals.

When you know where you want to go, it's easy to determine whether or not the work, tasks, and projects you're working on will take you there.

Here are three strategies you can use to leverage your time:

1. Block out time for yourself. Close the door. Turn off the phone. And give yourself an hour of uninterrupted time each day.

2. Work on your most important work, tasks and projects. Only do the things that have value. Eliminate everything else.

3. Use your Prime Time. There's a time of day when you do your best work. When you've the most energy and enthusiasm. Tackle your most important work at the time of day you're at your best.

Set your goals. Leverage your time. And you'll become more successful than you ever dreamed.

(c) 2004, Jeffrey J. Mayer

About The Author

Reprinted with permission from Jeffrey Mayer's SucceedingInBusiness.com Newsletter. Jeff helps individuals, business owners, corporate executives and sales professionals set their priorities, get focused, and achieve their goals; so they can grow their business, get ahead in life, and live their dreams. To subscribe to Jeff's free newsletter, Jeff@SucceedingInBusiness.com

---

Focus on One Thing at a Time to Get the Job Done

All too often we can feel overwhelmed by the amount... Read More

Top 10 Ways to Manage Yourself - Time Wise

"Time management" is a myth. Time ticks by, whether you... Read More

5 Time Savers You (Probably) Havent Tried Yet

1. Do tasks less frequentlyClean house every 10 days rather... Read More

Achieve More With Less Through Proper Planning

One question a lot of people ask me recently is:... Read More

Living on Purpose: Achieving Balance Between Work And the Rest of Your Life

Many of us get so caught up in day-to-day pressures... Read More

How to Define a Successful Time Management Strategy

One of the most challenging aspect in life is time... Read More

Effective Email and Verses Voicemail

Time management consultant Stephen Young claims that the average time... Read More

Work Smarter Not Harder

To work smarter all you need is the consciousness of... Read More

How to Make More Time For Your Life

Do you wish you could work less and play more?... Read More

Emergency Living

There are times, when I am driving in my car... Read More

When Is Time Management Not Enough?

A working manager needs more than time management.That old saying,... Read More

Time Is Everything

Time is wealth;Time is health; Time is power; Time is... Read More

3 Ways To Do More With Less Time

We live in a world where more is expected of... Read More

Six Foundational Reasons for Managing Your Time

Most of us know how to manage our time. It... Read More

Prioritize Your Life for Success

Today, it is hard to open an e-mail newsletter, a... Read More

The Ultimate Virtual Reality

I used to think video game addictions were a joke... Read More

Taking Time Off For Your Business

As a business owner, wouldn't it be great if you... Read More

Top Ten Motivators

Setting goals is the easy part -- but sticking with... Read More

Vilfredo Paretos Principle: The 80-20 Rule: 80% of Results are Produced from 20% of Efforts

Vilfredo Pareto's Principle, or The "Pareto Principle," is more commonly... Read More

Delegate or Drown

Why waste your precious time working on tasks, which are... Read More

How to Find More Time in Your Day-Balancing Career and Family

Goal Planning-Achieving balance in a person's life requires assessment of... Read More

31 Ways to Get An Extra Hour Out of Each Day

How can you get an extra hour out of each... Read More

Time Management: Which Advice to Follow?

There are so many books on Time Management published every... Read More

Quantum-less Time and Mathemathically Deprived Theory

What would you say to me if I told you... Read More

Time Management - Working Smarter at Work

Let's look at your time management skills. Most of us... Read More

A Time-Saving Programming Tactic that Doesn?t Work

Let's say that you have a software project that's under... Read More

Low Tech Time Management

A simple kitchen gadget is transforming my life. I don't... Read More

How Can I Get Some Time to Myself?

"I never seem to have any time for myself. What... Read More

Do You Put a Value on Your Time?

As a small business owner, does the following paragraph sound... Read More

Self Improvement and Prioritising

The ability to be able to set priorities and deal... Read More

Scheduling Productive Days - Dont Interrupt, Im Pouring Concrete

Almost everyone in business knows the balancing act between the... Read More

Do You Have The Time?

Show me, O Lord, my life's end and the number... Read More

Four Simple Ways To Take Control Of Your Time And Your Life

It's been said, "That no one has enough time yet,... Read More