Master time management and make the most of every minute (part 3 of 3)

3 steps to success

become a master of time management

Image credit: shutterstock.com | Max Griboedov

The previous posts in this series contained the first two steps that will help you make the most of every minute, whether at work, home or elsewhere. Those steps were:

1) List the 4-6 most important things you need to get done the next day, and allocate timings to the tasks 

2) Plan and prioritise the day itself

The final step is the most practical of them all:

3) Focus on preparing your time plan daily and on doing one thing at a time

If you want to make the most of every minute, then invest 15 minutes per day in planning your use of time. See below how this works.

  • Put a 15 minute planning meeting (with yourself) in the diary, towards the end of every day, during working time. Usually this is best in the afternoon or early evening, so that you go to sleep knowing the next day will be valuable and well-paced, as well as allowing time for the unexpected.
  • During this planning meeting, begin by reviewing your long list and then developing your 4-6 priorities for the next day (definitely no more than 6).

I use technology all the time to increase my time planning effectiveness. Here’s how:

  • I keep a long list in an Outlook note so it is next to my calendar.
  • At the top of the long list, I write a summary of the time mastery method that is in this series of posts.
  • (Here’s the key point) I do not put my daily plan in this Outlook note; instead, the calendar functions as my daily to-do list.
  • I use nudges and the ‘do’ button on my Apple Watch and notifications on my phone, to remind me of key transitions, e.g. the start of a period of time for sport.

The most important thing is focus. During the working day, as things come up that are important but not urgent (or urgent but not important) remind yourself why your planned priorities are paramount. Also think about the satisfaction you will gain by completing all of your tasks.

Why do these steps work? Researchers at Oxford University found that groups who multi-tasked performed the tasks more slowly and less accurately. Simply put, the 3 steps are about focussing on one thing at a time. Do that and your productivity will skyrocket!

Now it’s over to you. Give these steps a try and let me know how you get on.

What next?

Take a moment now to schedule in your first 15 minute time planning meeting with yourself.

For more inspiration to make the most of every minute, sign-up below and I will send you my FREE infographic “The 10 Commandments of Time Mastery.”

Please note: I reserve the right to delete comments that are offensive or off-topic.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *