Everyone has 24 hours in the day. Yet there are people who get much more done in the day than others. Here are ways in which you can make the most of your 24 hours.
Plan your day
Spend a few minutes every night to plan what you are going to do the next day. Prioritise your tasks into A B C D levels of importance. Tackle the A tasks –the toughest and the most important, not necessarily the most urgent—first. Don’t go on to B until you’ve finished A …and so on. Remember the 80:20 ratio. If there are 10 tasks on your to-do list and you only complete the two most important ones, you will get an 80% result.
Follow a strict daily routine
Most successful people follow a strict daily routine. This brings order to the day and enables one to work in a focussed manner during the time slotted for work. The schedule must include relaxation and recreation time. This will help unleash energy when you get down to work again.
Work in blocks
Work in blocks – for example, 90 minutes at a time – then take a break. You will feel refreshed and able to get back to work with renewed focus.
Stop multi-tasking
Devote all your energy to the task at hand. Focus on that task to the exclusion of everything else. It goes without saying that you should switch off your mobile phone and avoid distractions as far as possible when you’re working. You’ll do a better job, faster.
Get it right the first time
Your work should be flawless so you don’t waste time revising and re-revising. If facts need to be checked, do it then and there. Take a little extra time and get it right the first time. You will not only be more efficient but will also build a reputation for turning in excellent work.
Don’t have so many meetings
The number of meetings you have in the day can easily be cut down. And this goes for meetings over the phone and Skype as well. Use emails more often than one-on-one meetings to clarify points and confirm decisions. Your emailing time is under your control and most business matters can be dealt with efficiently via email.
Outsource everything you can’t be the best at
You can’t be good at everything. It makes sense to outsource things others can do better, so you can focus on what you do best.
Don’t say “Yes” to every request
It might be tough at first but saying “No” when you need to, will save you a lot of time. People will soon realise that they can’t take you for granted. You won’t lose friends if you follow this rule—if they are truly your friends, that is.
Make a stop-doing list
Yes, a to-do list is important. But also make a stop-doing list. Resolve to put those time-guzzlers that don’t do anything for you, out of your life.
Use commute time productively
If you are travelling by car (but not driving yourself), you can use the time to dash off short notes, brush up on the new language you are learning (learning something new is an excellent idea and the effort is never wasted). If you are commuting by train or bus, keep something handy to read—perhaps the daily paper you just had time to skim in the morning.
Make fitness a top priority
Make it your goal to become as fit as you can possibly be. The good news is that when you do something regularly for 21 days, it becomes a habit. So stick to the exercise regimen and you’ll soon begin to enjoy it and will look and feel all the better for it.
You can make those 24 hours power-packed to add to your productivity and also make your life rewarding and fulfilling.