Being more productive may seem about as possible as getting a psychic to give up the winning lottery numbers before the next big draw. However, with a vigilant focus on how that precious commodity of time is used, one can easily turn squandered moments into a more creative, dynamic and effective life. In order to achieve such a lofty goal one must adhere to three key points.
First, always have a schedule. Second, track time as if it is the pot of gold at the rainbow’s end. And third, be candid in self assessments.
To create and maintain a schedule, use a desk calendar to write a mission list. This low-tech solution has been invaluable for people who need an immediate tie to the task at hand. For example, if you are to stop watching the morning news at 6:20 a.m. put that on the mission list. Take the mission list seriously, do not get sidetracked.
Track time. For some reason time is constantly getting away from us, as in the opening of Pandora’s Box, once time is gone it leaves forever. If kept in check, as if it were the last breath of oxygen on a spaceship bound for earth, time will be treated as the non-renewable resource that it truly is.
Stay honest when evaluating how time is being utilized. Are you really working in the first hour of the day? Is most of it wasted on thoughts of what could have been done in the past, or future events that may never be? If your mind ping-pongs back and forth, never settling on the present event, then how can you assess present time use? Asking oneself to stay at the helm of personal control and focused at all times can only be done with a forthright conviction of self awareness.
Following these recommendations without fail, one will become more personally fruitful.
