Time Management Tips, part 1

I put out a call to my colleagues for their best Time Management tips.  They are a generous bunch and the tips flowed in.  Today’s tips are –

Dean Lynch, Principal Mortgage Consultant, from Mortgages Made Easy says –

Be organised and create systems and processes for every part of your business.  Have a system for how your day should progress and prioritise what needs to be done.  I like to run a paperless office so I aim to put everything on my computer and if I receive a fax or paper item I deal with it as a priority.  My workload is handled in an order and that is P.E.T. (paper first, then emails, then task list in Outlook).  Everything I have to do is listed in my task list and as new tasks come up they are prioritised in this order.  This saves me time and helps me get things done quickly.

Gary Hegedus, film maker, Gary Hegedus Productions says –

All your mail, post it notes and to do’s…handle them ONCE then file them away.

Don’t do PETTY stuff before you tackle that big project, ie tidy the desk, return non important emails etc.

Just do it!

Steven Freeman, Evolved Sound, says –

In your email client, use a feature like quick text.  It allows you to quickly add in pre-defined text you commonly use in emails.  Saves heaps of time!

Group similar tasks as they come in (if not urgent) and then “batch” them together

Create systems / tools / processes where common things can be delegated back to your client, providing it doesn’t compromise your service or product offering.  If the upside is they have more control or ownership of the situation, then it is a win/win.

Thanks Dean, Gary and Steven for sharing what works for you.  Tomorrow I’ll feature more tips from time-wise colleagues.