by Kevin Mcinturff

Created on: October 01, 2008   Last Updated: October 08, 2008

Everyone can use more time. It seems that there is never enough of it to accomplish all the things which need to be done. However; with good time management skills, you will have the tools to take control of your work and home activities reducing stress as you get more done.

The first place to start is with procrastination. As everyone knows, procrastination is nothing more than putting things off. As Bernard Meltzer once said, "Hard work is often the easy work you did not do at the proper time." Everyone procrastinates from time to time, but if this bad habit is preventing you from accomplishing your goals then ask yourself why. Perhaps you are not sure how to proceed or maybe it is just unpleasant. In either case, the best approach is to dive in and get started. It is so much easier to steer a moving car than one that is parked.

Prioritization is the next crucial time management tool. Most people spend 80% of their time working on things which only have a 20% value. The key to being productive is to prioritize each day the things which need to be accomplished and start with the most important one. Even if you do not accomplish everything, at least the important things got done.

Delegation is also important. The only way to multiply your time is by assigning work to subordinates. If the task is critical, you may have to handle it yourself, but if you feel that someone else can handle the responsibility, allow them to do it. Delegation is a necessary survival skill for anyone who wants to be effective.

Decision making can be linked to procrastination. Sometimes it is difficult to make a tough decision, but by making tough decisions you stay in control of your time and your life.

Finally, obtaining and using a time management tool such as a personal digital assistant (PDA) will allow you to collect and organize information. They are small in size, can interface with other computers and are always accessible. They are a must have for anyone who needs to manage their time.

Time management is essential for anyone in business today. By using some of the above suggestions, you will find that as you save time and become more productive, you will be more successful at whatever you do.

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