Time Management: Become a Vampire Killer
Your time belongs to you. Sell it, use it for yourself, or even squander it. Sometimes, you give it to time vampires without realizing it.
Time management is self-management.
Squandered time insults life.
Master life by owning your calendar. You surrender your future when time vampires run your day.
Time management – 7 ways to slay vampires:
#1. Pause.
Pause before you begin time-consuming tasks. Write its purpose and how the task aligns with priorities. As time passes use your notebook only for new tasks.
#2. Track donations.
Keep a ‘Time Donated’ Log. For one week, note who you spend time with, how much, and why. Reflect on whether these are the right people to invest in.
Respect people who give their time to you.
#3. Brag.
Schedule a ‘Self-Check’ at the end of your day. Are you delighted with how you used time? What will you do differently tomorrow? Practice brag-worthy time management.
#4. Close the gate.
Set a ‘No Distraction’ Timer. Focus for 25 minutes (using a timer). Take a 5-minute break. (See the Pomodoro Technique.)
#5. Choose big rocks.
Begin each day by listing the top three tasks that align with your goals. Do important stuff before vampires drain your time away.
#6. Schedule priorities.
Organize next week this Thursday (or sooner).
Setting priorities is futile until you schedule time to get them done.
Spend 15 minutes Thursday morning scheduling next week’s big rocks. Do it before time bleeds away. Align your calendar with your purpose.
#7. Set vampire traps.
Plan your response when vampires show up. What will you say? Do?
Bonus: Slay distractions.
We use terms like “spend” and “invest” because we treasure time.
What time vampires do you regularly face?
Which suggestion could you implement today? (Are you already implementing?)
Dig Deeper:
Successful Time Management isn’t about Getting More Done
Time Management: 7 Golden Rules for Golden Hours
8 Tried and True Time Management Tips for Business Leaders – Insperity
