Time saving tips
When you use a computer at home or work, typing a word processing document or entering data, for example be sure to keep saving your work at least every 10 minutes. It is often possible to have this happen automatically, notably with Word. It is remarkable how many people simply still do not save their work regularly.
Should your computer freeze up or there a power surge or interruption, you will have retained most of your work, which will then be recovered when you re-start the program.
- Get to know your sensible limit – pace yourself and establish an upper limit to the length of time you can concentrate before the effort starts to outweigh the benefits; running on empty is counter-productive.
- We all know that “if a thing is worth doing, it is worth doing well”, but there is a balance to be struck. It does not mean everything has to be perfect every time – and even perfection embodies a degree of subjectivity. So such an aim is not only unrealistic, but sets you up for defeat and leads to avoiding difficult tasks rather than face delivering a less-than-perfect result. Yes, there are times when nothing less will do, but beyond that, be satisfied with a job well done.
- Work now, play later – but do not forget to play. It is human nature to want to do the fun things first, but worth training yourself to complete the work at hand – at least within the context of a time-managed day - before you let go.
- Aim to complete similar tasks in the same block of time: this avoids having to retrace your steps to perform a task you could have done more productively at an earlier time. If, for instance, your job involves making a high volume of sales calls each day, try to make them all in the same time chunk of time set aside for making those type of calls.
- If procrastination is the thief of time, then lack of preparedness is its doppelganger. On today’s crowded main roads, for example, give yourself a time buffer to help cover the unexpected such as a diversion or traffic jam. Rise half an hour earlier than usual to have time for a proper breakfast or just to feel “on top of the day” – and perhaps go to bed slightly earlier the night before to avoid feeling exhausted upon rising.
- Sufficient sleep and exercise make commercial sense. A balanced and regular regimen will enable you to cope far better with the demands of travel, socialising and occasional excesses, as well as improving focus and concentration, leading to greater efficiency and productivity.
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