Here are some everyday timesavers that anyone can do at anytime!
Make a Daily List – Every night, write a to-do list for the following day to help you focus on what has to be accomplished. Identify the priority errands or projects so those get tackled first. Anything after that is gravy.
Delegate – Yes, it’s hard to let things go, but it’s necessary. Run down the items on your daily list and ask yourself, “Is this something I have to handle personally?” If not, hand off the task to someone else.
Put Off Procrastinating – It’s human to try to put off until tomorrow what you need to do today, especially if a task seems daunting. You’ll be less likely to delay if you break it down into smaller, more manageable pieces—and save time in the long run.
Manage Meeting Time – Before attending a meeting, ask “Is it crucial that I’m there?” Before calling one, ask “Is it necessary?” If the answer is “yes,” then set a time limit for the meeting, and hand out an agenda—and stick to it.
Control Communications – Between e-mail, phone calls, and snail mail, the average person receives around 150 communications daily. If you receive something that can be handled in a minute or two, do it immediately: Sifting through old voicemails and e-mails isn’t efficient. If you don’t need to deal with a communication personally, delegate it. If you should handle but need time, schedule it into your calendar, and put the communication away until then.
Share some of your time savers with us!
