{"id":4182,"date":"2012-09-18T10:46:13","date_gmt":"2012-09-18T17:46:13","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.noomii.com\/blog\/?p=4182"},"modified":"2013-04-05T10:16:42","modified_gmt":"2013-04-05T17:16:42","slug":"5-steps-to-create-more-time","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.noomii.com\/blog\/?p=4182","title":{"rendered":"5 Steps to Create More Time"},"content":{"rendered":"

\u00c3\u201a\u00c2\u00a8If I had more time\u00c3\u00a2\u00e2\u201a\u00ac\u00c2\u00a6I would\u00c3\u00a2\u00e2\u201a\u00ac\u00c2\u00a6.\u00c3\u201a\u00c2\u00a8 <\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

As you take on more responsibility and with continually increasing demands, it’s no wonder you feel this way. Prolonged feelings of stress, overwhelm and frustration undermine your physical health, results at work, and life at home.<\/span><\/p>\n

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Before implementing a system of my own, my days would generally be filled with me putting out fires, jumping from one task to another, needing to review the same emails over every few hours, papers all around: I could go on forever. I was not optimizing my time and my work began to suffer. I decided to spend a few hours to creating a system in my work life which would eventually free up hours in my week.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Step 1. Collect and Gather<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Start by writing down everything you think you have to do, need to do and ought to do. Download all of the things you have on your mind; all your incomplete tasks and free up space for more creative thinking! <\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Clear your<\/em><\/span><\/span> office and desk, your inbox, your mind.<\/em><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

U<\/span><\/span><\/span>se collection containers (in basket, e-mail, lists) and review and empty your collection containers regularly.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Step 2. Process<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

On all of these things: what is the next action? Does it get on the immediate action list, can you delegate it, trash it or put it on your follow up list?<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Process what comes in using the two minute rule: if you can do it in less than 2 minutes, <\/span><\/span><\/span>do it.<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span> ie. Make a call. More time consuming? Put it on your action list. Comprised of many actions? Put it on your project list.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\u00c3\u201a\u00c2\u00a0Step 3. Plan<\/strong><\/p>\n

Prioritize your actions. Keep your goals at the top of your mind and be realistic when estimating the time you set to work on something.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Plan each day, prior to that day. Use a weekly planner that is synchronized with your calendar, and plan your day working from your collection containers.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Review your project and action lists daily to confirm that you’re doing the most important thing right now.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Step 4. Take Action<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Do what you have planned to do! Remove all distractions when working; limit your interruptions and only check your email at certain times. Remember to leave buffer room in your day for any changes.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Notice where you are hesitating to take action and motivate your self! Manage your actions and you will manage your time.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Step 5: Check In<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Frequently ask yourself questions to gauge how your system is running.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n