“I don't have time” is something we say a lot, but often it is a case of prioritising what is on your to-do list.
If you find yourself fire-fighting and chasing one deadline after the other without ever doing the 'other stuff' you wanted to do, these tips may help you to regain control.
1. Make a big list of the stuff you want to do
It could include anything, for example: run a marathon, create a photo album, bring in two massive deals for your company, learn a language, raise money for a charity. Add anything you want to do to your list.
2. Give yourself a deadline
You could make it the start of the summer or the end of next year. Imagine it's a prospective performance review and write down what you want to have achieved and by when.
3. Start logging your time
Use the next few weeks to work out where you are spending your time. Imagine you are a contractor billing your hours. Include everything no matter how mundane: sleeping, travelling, kids’ homework, chores, TV, internet searching.
4. Assess your time
Are you spending your time wisely? Where do you need to spend more or less time? What would you really like to change and what do you like about your current schedule?
5. Recognise that you are master of your own time
Each week you can pretty much do exactly what you want to do (within reason). There may be some challenging choices, but recognise that they are choices.
6. Take your dream list and start breaking each goal down into smaller bits
Build these into your day or your week. For example, allocate half an hour twice a week to: researching how to train for a marathon, the clients you want to sign, sorting out the photos you want to include from January to March 2018. The key is to make it manageable and achievable.
7. Plan
Plan when you're going to do each of these things and actually block out time in your calendar to do them.
8. Hold yourself accountable
Tell others what you are doing or put it in an app. Just make sure that you are very aware of not doing it – this will help spur you on.
These top tips come from the 'Being more productive' section of the ACT Career Hub, just one of the excellent benefits of becoming an eAffiliate member of the Association of Corporate Treasurers (ACT). Join today to access more.
