It's Time For Some Management

Shopping, laundry, homework, taxes, car repairs, and dinner. Meetings, dental appointments, traffic, deadlines, and unexpected guests. All of these things steal your precious time. And most days what you plan to do doesn't get accomplished because something interferes with you getting it completed. This is the perfect time for some management.

There are going to be events that happen that stop you from accomplishing a task. Flat tires, an untimely death in the family, and weather can complicate the most structured day. But when the problem is that you allow emails, phone calls, or an unplanned visitor to take you away from completing your task, you have to begin to devise a time management plan.

First, look over the course of your day. What definitely has to get done? How long will it take to complete? Do you need certain supplies to finish it? Then make of list of chores to get to today. Before you begin, gather everything together, turn off your phone, and focus on what needs to get done. Don't allow your mind to wander off about events that have not happened yet. Stay on task.

Second, mentally prepare for your project. Having the right frame of mind will not only make it easier to finish but make it more enjoyable. No one likes doing their taxes, but if you remind yourself that everyone has to do them, and that completing them means you don't have to worry about it not getting done before the deadline, you can reward yourself with knowing this complicated job is over.

And finally, forge ahead. Most items are worse when you overanalyze them then when you are actually doing them. Getting started is always the hardest part. Also, being grateful helps. The laundry you need to fold is overwhelming when you have three baskets sitting in front of you. But if you realize you have more than so many others, you can appreciate it. This creates a feeling that makes any task feel less frustrating to begin.

You can let time manage you, or you can manage time. At the end of the day, which would you rather chose?