E Mail: Turn off e mail alerts E-mails have overtaken the phone as the most dangerously effective of all time wasters. The worst thing is the e mail alert that pops up on your computer screen. Don't let other people interrupt you in this way and take back control of...
It’s Time To Manage! Tip of the Week by Stephen Davies
E Mail: Junk E Mail Addresses When you have to give out an e-mail address to somebody who's going to send you things you don't want in your inbox, give them a special "junk" e-mail address. Then set up a rule so that everything to that address goes to a...
It’s Time To Manage! Tip of the Week by Stephen Davies
Prime Time Everybody has about three hours during the day when they are at their best. Figure out what your "Prime Time" is and then plan your day around it. Make sure that you dedicate that time to focus without interruptions on the activities that are of most value to...
It’s Time To Manage! Tip of the Week by Stephen Davies
Interruptions - Come Back Later When somebody interrupts you when you are busy, don't let them interrupt your train of thought. Ask them to come back and see you at a specific time – you may be surprised that they actually figure out the answer and don't come back to...
It’s Time To Manage! Tip of the Week by Stephen Davies
E Mail: Check on your Schedule E-mails have overtaken the phone now as the most dangerously effective of all Time Bandits. Turn off your e mail alert and check your e-mail only four times a day.... do it on your schedule not the schedule of the people who are interrupting...
It’s Time To Manage! Tip of the Week by Stephen Davies
Develop a "to don't" List Most people have a “To Do” list to record the tasks they need to "Get Done", but it doesn't help identify what you shouldn't do yourself. For that you need a “To Don’t” list. Identify the culprits, put them on the list and defend your...
It’s Time To Manage! Tip of the Week by Stephen Davies
Time Accountability Hiring When you are hiring new employees, ask candidates about their time management abilities. The best employees are those that can prioritize their work and handle interruptions, so be sure to ask relevant questions to probe in those areas so that you hire somebody who has those skills.
It’s Time To Manage! Tip of the Week by Stephen Davies
Phone: VIP Phone Line If your key customers expect you to answer the phone at all times, get an Internet phone line and give them a "VIP" phone number to call. Set it up with a unique ring on your system and you'll know that calls on that line are...
It’s Time To Manage! Tip of the Week by Stephen Davies
Phone calls - Egg Timer It is all too easy to waste time on phone calls. Keep an egg timer next to the phone to keep track of exactly how long you are talking. It will keep the time you are spending in the forefront of your mind and will...
It’s Time To Manage! Tip of the Week by Stephen Davies
Are You Working Below Your Pay Grade? Entrepreneurs wear so many of the hats in their business that many of the tasks they carry out are at a level way below the real value of their time. Are you working below your pay grade by not handing off menial tasks...