1. Explore How You’re Spending Time

• Keep a time log for five days (or more). Then take a good look at it and ask yourself a few key questions like these:
• What percentage of time am I spending on each activity?
• What are my time wasters?
• Am I spending most of my time on the most important things?

This is also an effective way to tell if your efforts at using time wisely are working for you, and where you need further adjustments.

2.        Set Goals for Yourself

If you feel like you are working hard but getting nowhere, setting goals will provide the direction you need. What do you want to accomplish this week, this month, this year, within the next few years? Once you know what you want from your time, you can begin to move forward. Set SMART goals (specific, measurable, attainable, rewarding and timely). With a specific goal that is measurable, you can clearly see what you are trying to achieve and you will know when you have achieved it. Without goals, your sense of direction will remain cloudy. 

3.        Prioritize

You want to develop the ability to see what tasks are more important at any given time and spend more of your attention, energy and time on those. You might want to prioritize by deadlines first. Then concentrate your time on the items that help you achieve your goals. Throughout the day you will have to prioritize unplanned activities. It is best to keep your goals in mind and rely on your instincts. Your effectiveness at handling unplanned activities will improve as you clarify your goals.

4.        Make a Plan

Now you will want to take your goals and determine what specific actions need to be done. Using time to think and plan is time well-spent. Some people use a daily To Do list. Others have a running To Do list which is continuously being updated. Don’t be afraid to try a combination of both. Keep your written goals in a visible place and review them often as you are making your To Do list. Also keep asking yourself if any of your tasks can be eliminated or delegated. Larger tasks should be broken down into smaller items to help you succeed and avoid despair. Consider blocking time for family, special friends and particular actions to help you meet your personal goals. Don’t forget to plan time for paperwork (filing, etc.) so this doesn’t pile up and cause additional stress.

5.        Stay Flexible

You probably have a sense of how many interruptions and unplanned requests occur in your typical day. Keep this in mind as you plan your time. Some time management experts suggest planning only 50% of your time, so that you will have the flexibility to handle these interruptions. Save your blocks of planned time for your highest priorities.

6.        Work During Your Best Time

Are you at your best late at night, in the morning or mid-afternoon? Everyone is unique. Knowing the time of day you work best helps you plan to use that time of day for your highest priorities. 

7.        Practice Saying No

Saying “no” is very difficult for most people. Once you are convinced that you and the priorities you selected are important, saying no becomes a whole lot easier. Try simply saying “that doesn’t work for me” the next time you’r e asked to do something that you don’t really want to do. You will be amazed how readily other people accept this response and how relieved it makes you feel.

8.        Eliminate the Unimportant

Unless you’re a super hero, understand that you don’t have to do it all and you may not have time to do it all. Scratch the unimportant tasks and time wasters from your To Do list. If the item is only moderately important and there is someone else to delegate it to, consider this option. Work on those tasks that are important to you and those that only you can do.

9.        Strengthen Your Decision Making Skills

Decision making can be hard at times because it involves conflict. The key is to pick the solution with more pros than cons. Start by brainstorming. What are all my options? What are the advantages and disadvantages of each option? What are my standards and the criteria that need to be met? It is much easier to come to an acceptable decision after going through these steps. Once your decision is made, take time to evaluate the outcome. Decision making is a skill that develops through trial and error. By studying your errors, you can strengthen your ability to make good decisions. 

10.        Reward Your Accomplishments

Celebrate the accomplishment of your goals – even the small ones. Think of rewards that you will give yourself for completing certain tasks. Then, be sure to follow through and enjoy that special dinner out with your significant other or that trip to one of your favorite places. The biggest reward of all will be decreased frustration and an increased sense of accomplishment when you begin to feel that you are using your time wisely.