Most Effective Three D's of Time Management

A task management mantra that many people swear by (including me and some of my clients) is. If you are feeling overwhelmed, start implementing the three D's: delete, suspend, and representatives. This week, the month of his or her planner or calendar type across the top, so you are reminded of it as you review your work. I have used this technique is recommended for a while, and it seems quite obvious, but there is surprising depth to this simple process.

Delete

First D: delete. It is quite clear - to get rid of those things on your calendar or to-do list that you really can do without. It's surprising the cut can be difficult. We are very easy to defer until later or find someone else to hand. We over commit, we want to join, we would say "yes" to everything (especially women) to do. Suddenly, the general classification to fill our calendar appointments, get-togethers, parties, food, and all kinds of other events can. If we do a lot of business networking or are self-employed, appointments and task list is even longer. Suddenly a lot of busy work days are cut, and not enough real meat for the day. Ever feel like you were walking around a lot, but not really accomplish anything? I know that feeling well. The burnout, where you then end up doing nothing at all just to be healthy is.

"But wait," you might protest, "If I put a task on your calendar or a list, so I obviously need to do it, I should do it, so I probably can not remove it. " With an eye to how you want to remove some items can approach your task list?

You, of course, asking yourself such questions can begin with "what it really needed a big / the down payment?'s In it for me?" Those help you to choose a starting (or figure out what to postpone, or delegate) can.

It is more instructive to ask you something like your "If I say no to work, that is open to me?" And "What I want more in life I willing to trade off to get it?" These types of questions work particularly well if you look at the standing commitments - things you every week or month, or even just once or twice a year.

For example, I volunteer regularly at my local classical music station was, every time they had a phone in fundraiser. At times, I a lot while I was working stations listened to, and while I like to help, even when it was an important part of my workday. Some years later, I realized I had only agreed to volunteer because I felt bad, "not" saying - even if I still listened to the station! Next to me and my show a bit of volunteer re-request was rejected.

It's hard to say "no." However, if you thought through your needs and wishes and love from a place of perfection and "no" might say, you will open new possibilities for personal growth and happiness. You yourself would be best for you because you choose and with intention and mindfulness will allow things to can.

Defer

Second D: Pending. If a task or appointment can not be deleted, consider whether it can be delayed until later. If it can move easily and will greatly help out the reschedule!

The election, in my opinion, is easy to. Can be difficult to remove an item completely, but later postponed until more is easy at our discretion. It is often easier to defer to the representative, and thus "let" the work we have claimed responsibility. I think many people defer to the list when necessary (rather than deleting or delegating) our.

When an action deferring, it served us well to postpone it only briefly and only once, then it until it breaks at a house down the street - must handle immediately, does not linger after work is . It also far from a crisis going to be easy to get into a vicious circle, out of a daily basis (even hourly) can fire at. Lifestyle that adrenaline rush, however, is not sustainable in the end. After a while, we end up crashing hard, and nothing to be a healthy way the way are just as at all. So we either do everything all at once at the peak, or are not doing anything at all, neither of which works in us. Is true for all of us is important, essential, not necessarily more important things to find an optimal mix filled our time.

It also far too easily in favor of all the fun things to not postpone things so much fun. How often do we have a friend, date night, or goofing-off time can cancel lunch because other things seem "more important?" When looking at your planner and decide what to postpone these items that some joy in his day (fourth D?) Can take before deferring think hard. It's super to that lunch date with my friend to cancel may sound simple, but consider this: you want a few more days to participate in the Leviticus? How important their friendship is what that meeting? You can give it some balance?

If you defer more than some time with you may need to check yourself: why this work is constantly deferred? Is it truly important? If it is, so I have not yet? What will it take to get?

Delegate

Third: D rep. If an action or be destroyed easily postponed until later may consider handing it to someone else. I think the option of deferring a little harder than, but not as difficult as removing. Here's why: Delegating a task to someone else to give it to mean. Sometimes, letting go seems like over the responsibility, and blame can lead to some feelings.

Instead, look at it this way: If you have a job, does that free you delegate? Give it to someone and it will make more space in your planner and your life. What could you do with the time and place?

An example: I have a few hours a month for me to virtual office assistant hired to help with the chores. I work to delegating, which I learned to think in terms of a challenge. What I have found that when he has done for me, the one-half the amount of time I will take it to about a quarter is it. It frees me up to high-level work and creative thinking is not Bill. As I tell people, he works on his business, so I can work in your business. Because of this, I learned to think big and my creativity started flowing, because I handle the small details that can distract me!

Three D 's a start when you are feeling overwhelmed with too many functions to provide space. He is also a surprising amount of personal growth, provided you apply them with thought and care.