My OperaCommon Time Management Blunders You Must Avoid
Sunday, March 18, 2012 5:48:40 PM
Though time management is a popular idea nowadays, many people still make a number of mistakes in this area. Sometimes, the very things you think will help you manage your time better wind up having the exact opposite effect. Our focus in this report is to make you aware of several frequent time management slips so you can side step them. Keep Reading for further reports.
Multitasking can be a major gaffe if you overdo it. The concept of multitasking became well known a few years ago, when it was regarded as a way to enhance your efficiency. In any case, it seems logical that doing a number of things at once makes you more productive. The problem with multitasking, however, revolves around focus - another new time management buzz word. You can't adequately focus on one project if you have other tasks open at the same time. Mistakes are the predicted result of this method as our thinking becomes fragmented. So what are the end results? We find ourselves repeating something because it wasn't done the right way and our efficiency disappears. Now don't misunderstand. We're not saying that you do not ever multitask. Multitasking works quite well as long as the quality of the work you are aiming to complete doesn't suffer.
A big mistake that a lot of people make is to overextend themselves. The big issue with this method is that something along the line will hit a snag, and take more time than determined, and then the whole set of projects gets skewed. Some people also have difficulty saying no, as it makes them feel guilty. Schedule plenty of extra time into your list of tasks so that you won't be boggled if something unexpected pops up, or there is a major change or delay in one of the projects you are working on. Any time you review your list, and it's filled with things you have to do, you can feel pressured. This makes it difficult to concentrate on any one project because you are worrying about all the other tasks you must finish. Consider before you commit to something, whether it's work or a social engagement. When somebody is requiring some of your time for whatever reason, you do not have to instantly say yes or no. One of the most difficult time management bad habits to break is overextending ourselves. We just don't feel comfortable, often, telling someone no.
Another big time waster is not putting any thought into the steps of a project before you just jump right in and begin. Having a system in place - documented - whether it's for the tasks that we do a few times, or a new project, can save you a lot of grief in the end. It's similar to going on vacation without planning it out ahead of time and, when you get to the forest, you realize you've forgotten the tent. Oops! You really need a plan, or system, for anything that you want to accomplish in a timely manner, which would prevent the problem of having to repeat steps because you left something out. So as to follow in the footsteps of people who have learned to manage their time properly, you must delay the beginning of any type of work until you have a clear, and concise, system outlined of what's involved. The time it takes to plan properly will end up saving you time in the long run, so don't overlook this step.
There are numerous time management mistakes that people often make, and the above are some of the major ones. One other thing to remember: sometimes, if you try to rush through a project or task, you make more mistakes and, ultimately, spend more time than if you had relaxed and done a more thorough job planning the task. As you learn to manage your time better, you'll discover that rushing is not really necessary and you can proceed with ease, in a step by step fashion.
Multitasking can be a major gaffe if you overdo it. The concept of multitasking became well known a few years ago, when it was regarded as a way to enhance your efficiency. In any case, it seems logical that doing a number of things at once makes you more productive. The problem with multitasking, however, revolves around focus - another new time management buzz word. You can't adequately focus on one project if you have other tasks open at the same time. Mistakes are the predicted result of this method as our thinking becomes fragmented. So what are the end results? We find ourselves repeating something because it wasn't done the right way and our efficiency disappears. Now don't misunderstand. We're not saying that you do not ever multitask. Multitasking works quite well as long as the quality of the work you are aiming to complete doesn't suffer.
A big mistake that a lot of people make is to overextend themselves. The big issue with this method is that something along the line will hit a snag, and take more time than determined, and then the whole set of projects gets skewed. Some people also have difficulty saying no, as it makes them feel guilty. Schedule plenty of extra time into your list of tasks so that you won't be boggled if something unexpected pops up, or there is a major change or delay in one of the projects you are working on. Any time you review your list, and it's filled with things you have to do, you can feel pressured. This makes it difficult to concentrate on any one project because you are worrying about all the other tasks you must finish. Consider before you commit to something, whether it's work or a social engagement. When somebody is requiring some of your time for whatever reason, you do not have to instantly say yes or no. One of the most difficult time management bad habits to break is overextending ourselves. We just don't feel comfortable, often, telling someone no.
Another big time waster is not putting any thought into the steps of a project before you just jump right in and begin. Having a system in place - documented - whether it's for the tasks that we do a few times, or a new project, can save you a lot of grief in the end. It's similar to going on vacation without planning it out ahead of time and, when you get to the forest, you realize you've forgotten the tent. Oops! You really need a plan, or system, for anything that you want to accomplish in a timely manner, which would prevent the problem of having to repeat steps because you left something out. So as to follow in the footsteps of people who have learned to manage their time properly, you must delay the beginning of any type of work until you have a clear, and concise, system outlined of what's involved. The time it takes to plan properly will end up saving you time in the long run, so don't overlook this step.
There are numerous time management mistakes that people often make, and the above are some of the major ones. One other thing to remember: sometimes, if you try to rush through a project or task, you make more mistakes and, ultimately, spend more time than if you had relaxed and done a more thorough job planning the task. As you learn to manage your time better, you'll discover that rushing is not really necessary and you can proceed with ease, in a step by step fashion.
