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Lesson 4: If you don't have time for something, just say so. There is no need to listen politely if you’ve already decided
conversation is not of interest. Simply say – “I am sorry to interrupt you, but I don’t have time for this right now.” Yes it’s direct, but then you are not sitting there feeling frustrated about
time you are wasting.
Lesson 5: Limit your availability: This is one of
keys to beating overwork. Unexpected and unplanned interruptions and distractions can "steal" your day. An "open door" policy is fine, but not if it has a negative impact on productivity and profitability. Actually schedule time when you can’t be interrupted, and let everyone know about it. During that time you don’t answer emails, you don’t answer
phone and you don’t talk to others – you just do whatever it is you’ve got to do – no interruptions.
Lesson 6: Protect your productive time Each of us knows if we are a morning person or a night owl. We know if our peak productivity times are at 7 am or at 11pm. So make sure you are free and uninterrupted at those times. Try and make this time just for you and devote
activities that need your brain
most at
times you are most productive.
Lesson 7: Plan your day
night before I know - you've heard it before. But spending 5 minutes at
end of
day preparing for
next day helps to orient you in advance and mentally sets you up. So when you get up in
morning, you're ready to go! Do whatever works for you - make lists of activities, check your calendar, enter tasks into your electronic task list, schedule a couple of uninterrupted hours in your diary, tidy away your papers and get tomorrow's ones ready to go. Do whatever you need to to feel comfortable about
next day's work.
Lesson 8: Don't get buried by paper When possible, try to "touch" each piece of paper only once. File it, act on it or toss it! (Periodically, every quarter, purge your files. If you haven't touched it in 3 months, you probably never will...so toss it!). As
saying goes: "Do it, ditch it, or delegate it!"
Lesson 9: Group your appointments If you have several appointments or errands, try to group them all in
same day so that all of your external travel and time is scheduled for one or two days in
week. That leaves you 3 full days in
office without
need to go out for meetings.
Lesson 10: Confirm appointments: Never assume that your 1 o'clock is on! The realization that you've been "stood up" is both frustrating and irritating. A simple phone call or e-mail message, saves time, energy and anxiety.
Management expert Peter Drucker, once declared, "Time is
scarcest resource." Time really isn't scarce, it's uniform and constant. However, your ability to manage it is crucial to your success. If you can’t get this part right, you may not need to not worry about cash management!

Megan Tough, director of Action Plus, works with small business professionals who are ready to do more than ‘just get by’. Increase your income - decrease your stress! To learn more and to sign up for more FREE tips and articles like these, visit www.megantough.com