calendar

 

If you ask most people about what time management is, they will usually reply “Time management is my calendar”. These days it is not just about the calendar. To be fully in control and have clear focus on what you need to do you need more.

1. Calendar
You still need a calendar but more importantly it’s needs to be a calendar that you own. These days there are more then enough ways to have your calendar with you at all times. It’s also easier then ever to share calendars with family and colleagues so everyone has a clear idea on what is going on.

2. To-Do list
This is one of the most important things you can keep to help you know what things are lying ahead. Trying to keep a large number of items in you mind just provides distraction at the most inopportune times. Getting these thoughts and task down into a list will help you determine what and when things need to be done.

3. Notes
Having a place (paper or electronic) for you to jot down notes that happen during the day. These can later be put into the calendar and to do list. It does not matter if you use electronic or paper for your notes. It’s more important to use one thing consistently. I use Evernote for any of my note taking as I always have my smart phone with me. In Getting Things Done we talk about notes going into the in-basked to be processed.

4. Contact List
A contact list is something that many would not include when thinking of time management. However having accurate contact information at your fingertips is very important and can save time. Again make sure you own your list. There are several services that can help you sync and manage your contact lists.

All four of these are the basic components to any time management system and will help you gain clearer focus on your tasks.

Question: Have you reviewed your time management tools lately? Are you missing any of these?