Without exception when you implement these 7 Tested Time Management Secrets you will see a doubling or quadrupling of your personal productivity. Your ability to effectively manage your time is directly related to your ability to discipline yourself to follow your time management plan and take the required action to complete daily tasks.

1. Multi-Tasking – Numerous studies prove that multi-tasking negatively effects personal productivity. When interrupted it takes humans up to 20 minutes to return to the state of focus held prior to be interrupted. People erroneously think that they are switching from task to task and paying attention to everything around them, but the human brain cannot operate that way. What really happens is that the brain is switching back and forth with astonishing speed.

2. Blocks of Time – Schedule your time in 50 to 100 minute blocks with breaks of 10 or 20 minutes between each block. Block out quiet blocks to due tasks that require concentration and focus. Be diligent in protecting that time. The proverbial open door is a real drag on executive productivity.

3. Scheduling – Arrange your schedule to complement your bio-rhythms. If you do your best analytical work early in the day be sure to schedule it early. Analyze you personal preferences and schedule appropriately.

4. 20/80 Rule – Clearly understand the 20% of things you do that generate 80% of your results. The key point is that most things in life (effort, reward, output) are not distributed evenly – some contribute more than others. But remember that it may be true that 80% of the bridge got build in 20% of the time, but you still need the rest of the bridge in order for it to work. The Pareto Principle is an observation, not a law of nature. Beware the Law of Diminishing Returns.

5. Segment the Activity or Tasks – Analyze what needs to be completed and break them into logical segments for efficiency. Do not try to eat the elephant in one bite.

6. Plan Ahead – Busy people have a plan. They have a To Do List with tasks broken into manageable segments. They work the list, avoid procrastinating and understand that they must factor flexibility into their day. The confirm all out of office appointments, they prioritize accordingly and respect their plan and they delegate effectively.

7. Control Meetings – Avoid all meetings if at all possible. If you have to attend keep the meeting to ONE hour maximum and have exit strategy ready if the meeting will run over an hour. Also have an agenda for the meeting and stick to it. Shut up the people that love to hear themselves talk.

By John C. Dontje. To learn more about personal effectiveness please visit http://johndontje.com

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