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The way we spend our time determines the quality of our life. Each workweek, more than 80% of us waste 10-15 hours on procrastination, clutter, and unnecessary interruptions. If you were productive during those 10-15 hours think about how much more money you could make. Or, think about how great it would be to have an extra 10-15 hours off each week to do something you loved. If you are ready to make the most of your workweek, start with these eight strategies.

1. Create a time management system that fits with your values, preferences, and lifestyle.

Find a successful time management system that works for you. We each prefer to complete certain tasks and activities in different ways, places, and at different times. By honoring your specific preferences, it will make accomplishing more in less time much easier.

2. gratis winrar . Set up visiting hours.

By establishing and announcing visiting hours, you can reduce unnecessary interruptions while offering people the opportunity to communicate with you in a relaxed setting. I recommend keeping your office door open during visiting hours and closed at all other times.

3. Create a brain dump.

Find a space for recording sudden thoughts, ideas, and inspirations that can be distracting during task mode. A notebook, tape recorder, or file should be kept on hand to record complex and simple ideas. There are many smart phones, such as the iPhone, that offer a voice recording application, which makes it easy to record a thought or idea and then promptly get back to the task.

4. Put a dollar value on your time.

Estimate the time you spend each day: Finding papers? Looking for things that are misplaced? Duplicating your efforts? Irritated because you cannot find things? Dealing with unnecessary interruptions? Add this time together. Next, figure out what your time is actually worth. For instance, if you earn a salary of $50,000 per year and work approximately 40 hours per week, then your time is worth $24 per hour. That is $240 if you are wasting 10 hours a week. Post a sign above your desk that says: “Is what I am doing at this moment worth $24?” You could also word it differently: Would I be willing to pay someone $24 to do what I am doing?” Looking at the sign throughout the day will help you shift what you spend your time doing. You will start spending more time on productive revenue and less of your time on minutia.

5. Adopt a worst in, first out policy. Or delegate undesirable tasks.

Procrastination is one of the biggest opponents of a well-managed day. We often procrastinate because we don’t like the task, don’t have the appropriate equipment, or we don’t have enough information to make an educated decision. Resolve the worst problem first. Get the worst one out of the way and then move on to the fun stuff. Delegate the task or hire someone to complete the task for you if the procrastination continues.

6. Schedule in your tasks.

Make sure you set up specific time slots every day to return voice mail and e-mail, work on important projects, etc. By organizing your work into batches you will get more done in less time. First, make a list of all tasks that need to get done and separate each task by daily, weekly, monthly, quarterly, and annually. Write them down on your calendar in batches. For example, make two “appointments” every day to check and return voicemail and e-mail. Choose one appointment time each week to send out client invoices and so on.

7. Lessen distractions.

When working on important projects, close the door, turn off the phone, and place a sign on your door that reads: “Man or woman at work. Please return at *insert your visiting hour*.” Use this uninterrupted time to complete important projects. On your calendar, mark out an appointment with yourself every day to work on your important projects. Treat the appointment like it is an important appointment with your doctor. If something gets in the way of your appointment, reschedule the appointment with yourself, just like you would reschedule your doctor’s appointment.

8. Practice saying “No” ten times every day.

The act of saving time often involves having to say “no” to others. If it is difficult for you to say “no,” practice some different responses ten times a day. For example, you could respond like this: “I would love to be there, however, I won’t be able to make it this time,” or “Thank you so much for thinking of me but unfortunately, I am too busy to give your project my best effort right now,” or “No, thank you,” or frankly “no.” By being able to say no you are honoring your own life and goals.

Heidi is a professional organizer, creator of The Fast-Filing Method home filing system, & publisher of Life Made Simple e-Magazine. Heidi energizes her readers’ lives by teaching effective organizational systems to help you accomplish more & GAIN peace of mind! Visit ClearSimpleLiving.com to get a complimentary subscription AND a FREE Home Organization Kit.

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