Make Time For You!

Diary overload is a very common problem. We talk about wanting "more time" but we all get the same allocation - 24 hours a day and seven days a week. So how is it that some people seem able to get so much more done than others? There are some basic steps you can take to gain control of your time and your diary, but the first thing you need to do is get clear on where your time really goes.

First, keep an accurate time log for a week. The best way to keep a log is to make a note every 15 minutes or when you change your current activity. When you review the log it will give you important information and you can decide where you want to make changes. You may be shocked to realize where some of your time goes.

Just to give you some perspective - you may be surprised to learn that if you cut down on just one hour of TV five days a week, you will gain 260 hours a year - that's over 32 eight hour days, the equivalent of more than six working weeks! Not that there's anything wrong with television, but sometimes we find ourselves watching it just because it's on. Be more conscious of this and choose how you might prefer to spend the time.

One of the most effective time management tools is learning to say no. Buy yourself time when you are asked to do something. Say you will get back to the person - you don't have to decide there and then. If you say yes to everything immediately, it's harder to change your mind later.

Here are a few more tips you can use to save time at home and at work:

* Divide tasks into things only you can do and things you can delegate - and then delegate!
* Group similar tasks together - for instance, try to return phone calls in a block of allocated time.Try to do the same with e-mails.
* Avoid getting hooked into surfing the internet. Get the information you need and move on.
* Treat waiting time as an opportunity to read,write or think.
* Set everything out the night before to save time in the morning.
* Make time to plan and have a written,prioritized to do list.
* Try to avoid unnecessary meetings - do you really need to be there? If you need to attend, make sure there is a written agenda and a finishing time.
* Where possible have informal meetings in someone else's office and then you can decide when to leave.
* Use voicemail on your phone.
* Have a daily, weekly and monthly diary system -always be clear on your commitments so you can avoid cramming in too many things. Be more selective.Check in every day with the monthly picture.

As I mentioned earlier - block out clear time in your diary - make appointments with yourself and say you're busy! Free up time for what you really need to do at work and choose to do socially. Is there still space for YOU?

Shona Partridge is a small business marketing and PR expert and coach. She works with women entrepreneurs and the self employed, teaching PR, Marketing, Writing and Confidence skills. Shona is a licensed "Get Clients Now!" facilitator, PR professional, experienced coach and trained journalist. She's the author of "Self Belief for the Self Employed: How Boosting your Confidence Can Boost Your Business" a new CD and workbook programme and creator of the marketing and PR training system"Marketing Mastery, 12 Key Steps to Success".

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