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Action: Just Being On Time is Not Enough

Action: Just Being on Time is Not Enough. Successful people use their time effectively to accomplish more. ~ www.jaywren.com

Big Projects and Time Management

When going through lengthy periods with big projects, I sometimes push aside the big project to do the things that are easy and pressing.  I let the most pressing tasks take priority over my long-term goals.

When I encounter a rush of pressing issues, I pause.  I take a few slow deep breaths.  A little pause keeps me on track for long-term goals and helps me prioritize pressing issues for the day.

Daily Goals and Productivity

When I get off schedule, my days become less productive. I wander off task.

I click around a couple of websites to stimulate my thinking for new projects.  Then, I check my phone for personal texts. I surf the web for news of current events. Even though I have been very busy, I accomplish little or nothing.

However, I have learned a more effective method to stay on track. I schedule an objective with each activity. The objective creates clarity in going through activities for the day.

Scheduling Activities with Objectives

When I went through sales training, I learned that setting an objective for each sales call increased my productivity on that call.   Step one: I scheduled a sales call. Step two: I added what I plan to accomplish. This second step may sound unnecessary. However, with an objective, I was more thorough and more productive on each call.

Additionally, scheduling an activity and a list of objectives is effective in managing personal matters.  For example, when I have a doctor’s appointment on my schedule, I add the things that I need to discuss with the doctor during my visit. With a list of things to discuss, I cover all the issues I have for the doctor.

In summary, for me, there are at least four benefits to including objectives to my list of things to do.

  1. I don’t overlook important issue.
  2. Stating objectives stimulates creativity.  I awaken my mind to more opportunities.
  3. Each day, I accomplish more.  Over the years, even the little things add up to greater long-term success.
  4. I do one thing at a time.

Status Board 

As I complete tasks, I mark them completed.  At the end of the day, I review the schedule for tasks to reschedule things I have failed to complete.

My schedule is a status board of tasks completed and tasks to act on the next day. With these things completed and rescheduled, I have the confidence of knowing that I will continue to stay on tasks the following day.