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Hi, Kell here!

Welcome to the Work Smarter Not Harder Newsletter #36.

Three time management techniques to give your more time in the day.

Most people will readily admit they wish there were more hours in the day. They wish they could have a little extra time because they want to see all the tasks they need performed actually performed!

Yet, it may not be all that easy to make your daily tasks and schedule more productive. Or is it? Actually, you can easily boost your ability to be productive by doing little more than employing three very easy techniques for increasing productivity.

But, are these time management techniques truly easy? Well, they are easy to employ but they are not effortless. You still have to do your part to make sure that these steps are put into use and done so in the most effective manner possible.

What are these needed three steps? They are goal setting, developing a "to do" list, and remaining focused on the present.

Goal Setting

It would be extremely difficult to experience any serious improvements in productivity without having a target of some sort to actually focus on.

Goal setting allows you to determine what it is you wish to achieve and then chart and devise a path to help you actually achieve such a goal.

Goal setting can be broken down in all manner of time increments.

You can have daily goals, weekly ones, as well as monthly, quarterly, and yearly. The key here is you need goals!

Of course, you will also need to wisely chart a path that helps you attain such goals. This should not prove difficult with a little bit of thought and planning. If you take the proper time out and prioritizing your goals with this goal setting activity, you will find them easier to achieve and your productivity will increase immensely as a result.

Downloadable resources for goal setting can be found at:

• goal setting templates
• goal setting forms
• goal setting worksheet

Developing a to-do list

A To Do list is essentially a roadmap/checklist of all the things you need to do during the day to arrive at your goals.

A list such as this is comprised of the things you positively know you have to do, those things people tell you to do, and any things you come up with while brainstorming.

Write everything down off the top of your head. Don't try to prioritize anything yet.

As soon as you have brainstormed a list, you now need to prioritize the items on the list.

Once you have made a list based on prioritization, you can go through the list and complete the items on it as you finish up your daily tasks.

If you want you can download a to-do list template or an action plan.

This time management activity can be extended further by developing a time management schedule of your tasks on your to-do list.

Focus on the present

Yes, you most definitely will need to take the steps to look ahead at your future goals but you cannot remain myopic. You need to also work in the here and now.

That means your focus needs to be on the present and all tasks that being in the present require to be completed. When you are in the "here and now" you will find your ability to be productive is enhanced since you thoroughly avoid distractions of drifting thoughts.

If focusing on the present is something that you want to improve upon then mindfulness meditation may be beneficial for you.

Conclusion

These time management activities are easy to employ but they are not effortless. You still have to do your part to make sure that these steps are put into use and done so in the most effective manner possible.

However, you can take solace in the fact that all the items on this list are extremely simple and basic. Anyone that is motivated can certainly devise a strategy for using these concepts to see a remarkable and drastic improvement in productivity almost immediately.

To all of our subscribers, please let us know your comments, views or feedback so that we can improve our site for our most valuable resource

- YOU

All the best,

Dr Kell and the team at Effective Time Management Strategies wish you all the best.