ArticlesBase.com - Free Articles Directory
Free Online Articles Directory
26.07.2008 Sign In Register Hello Guest
Email:
Password:
Remember Me 
forgot your password?


Are You Losing Focus? Use These Time Management Tips To Get It Back

Author: Gregg Hall Author Ranking Gold Featured Author | Posted: 21-07-2006 | Comments: 0 | Views: 408 | Rating:  (53) Article Popularity - Blue (?) Got a Question? Ask.
Sign Up Now!

We all have the same 24 hours to work with and unfortunately depending on our individual requirements we lose six to eight of those hours to sleep. Knowing that we have already given up that many hours we don't have any more time to waste so it's important to focus on what you need to get done during your waking hours. Learn to manage your time properly and you will be able to focus and be more efficient.

The first thing that must be done before you can learn the proper time management skills is to identify the things you are doing wrong that eat up your time and make your activity unproductive. Look back over the last week and remember how you spent each day. Split the days up into five categories.

The first category is negative productivity or tasks that should have already been completed. This is the area that kills the schedules of most people and gets them off focus.

The second category is allowing your planned tasks to be interrupted by activities that are less important or not important at all. Don't let others influence you to change your priorities.

The third category is things you have completed. These are the tasks that you actually planned and completed to fruition. You might just find after categorizing in this way that you are getting more done than you think.

The fourth category is the time that you work alone. Even if you are not working on the exact tasks that you should be if you are truly working then this can be deemed positive.

The fifth and final category is your down time or time off. I am not talking about short coffee breaks. This is true leisure activity such as working out. Having down time is crucial to success; if you try to work around the clock you will eventually get burned out.

Now that you have identified the areas where you are spending your time it is important to reduce the items that are eating away at your productivity and causing you to lose focus. Here are a few tips to help you.

First you need to plan your work and everything you need to do. Divide a sheet of paper in half and on one side write the tasks that must be done in order of priority with deadlines. On the other side write down the tasks you would like to see done but aren't crucial. Focus on one task at a time then cross it off as you move down your list. You should take time to do this each morning.

Next you should have an effective time management system whether it is a desk calendar or an electronic system on your computer, laptop, or cell phone you need to use it daily. Have schedules for tasks and stick to them.

The next thing you need to do is to learn the meaning of the word, "no". Saying no to something doesn't mean you will never do it, it just means that you can't do it now. If you are working on something that absolutely has to be done then you have to say no to the movie or the ball game. You have to be able to find the balance between work and leisure.

Rate this Article: Current: 0 / 5 stars - 0 vote(s).

Article Tags: Time Management

Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/management-articles/are-you-losing-focus-use-these-time-management-tips-to-get-it-back-42923.html

Print this Article Print article   Email to a Friend Send to friend   Publish this Article on your Website Publish this Article   Send Author Feedback Author feedback  
About the Author:
Gregg Hall is an author and internet marketing consultant living in Navarre Florida. Find more information on time management tools at http://www.dovico.com
Submitting articles has become one of the most popular means of generating quality backlinks and targeted traffic to your website. Join us today - It's Free!

Article Comments

Comment on this article Comment on this article
Your Name
Your Email:
Comment Body
Enter Validation Code: Captcha


Related Articles


By: | 31/12/1969 |

5 Sure-fire Tips To Manage Your Time Better, In 7 Days Or Less!
By: Abhishek Agarwal | 13/10/2007 | Time Management
This article lists some very effective tips on time management.

Effective Time Management Tips For Salespeople
By: Abhishek Agarwal | 13/10/2007 | Time Management
This article gives you some effective time-management tips for sales persons.

How to Get yourself Organized by Using a Checklist
By: Shafir Ahmad | 30/04/2007 | Self Help
If you have never used a checklist to organize, you should! They are such time savers. Here are some checklists that will help you out with your Time Management needs.

Junior Faculty Balancing Act: Teaching, Part I
By: Gina Hiatt Ph.d. | 13/10/2005 | Education
My recent web poll asked: "What is the hardest part about being a junior faculty member?" Over a third of the respondents said "Teaching takes up so much time" as their response.

Managing Time and Attendance of Employees
By: James Hunt | 14/01/2006 | Management
Companies of all sizes need to ensure that their employees keep track of their time worked, especially if they are working on numerous projects. This type of time management is essential to keep track of what employees are working on as well as for keepi

Organizing Your Work Day
By: Rebecca White | 22/02/2006 | Advice
Learn the best way to organize your work day so you are more productive.

Found - The Time Lost in the Commute
By: Dr. M. Mastria | 28/03/2006 | Health
Time passes whether you do something with it or not, so why not make the most of it? Commuting time well spent can give you back the time you thought you had to give up to commute to and from work.

Got a Question? Ask.

Ask the community a question about this article:

Frequently Asked Questions

If I die and do not name a beneificiary to my IRA ...
By: Jake | 28-05-2008
If I die and do not name a beneificiary to my IRA but in my will say my house be sold and proceeds be added to my bank accounts, CD's Savings, checking and all that be divided proportionately between my relatives. All my personal property be given to one specific relative. What is my IRA considered as personal property going to the one relative or part of the cash to be distributed to all my relatives? Any case law you can provide to back up your answer would be appreciated.

Can I work for Yedda? Do you get paid, if you ...
By: beck | 18-05-2008
Can I work for Yedda? Do you get paid, if you answer many questions?

I am working in the UK on a work permit. Does this ...
By: inzogbiya | 07-05-2008
I am working in the UK on a work permit. Does this also allow me to study part-time or full-time?

My husband is on a spouse visa for 2 years. Can he ...
By: zee1 | 31-03-2008
My husband is on a spouse visa for 2 years. Can he work self- employed?

What's you're email screening process?
By: Avi Charkham | 24-02-2008
Emails are great but handeling then is becoming harder than ever.What's your screening process. How do you handle the ever growing flow of emails?

Daily Life: What is your schedule?
By: Mr. Barber | 29-01-2008
Daily Life: What is your schedule?  Could you please give me a bullited list of your everyday events? In as much detail as you're willing to give me. I'm trying to develop a healthy lifestyle and am interested in what the rest of the world does through their day. From waking up, methods in which you speed up your tasks, what you converse about, where you go, etc. Your basic schedule in a nuttshell. I would very much appricate this look into your life, and I hope others read your response to me in such a way that they can apply your good habbits to their own life. Please be honest and detailed, as well as articulate. Thank you very much.Any answers are appricated, but I really do love bullited lists in which define each idea clearly and with purpose.

Q&A Powered by:
Powered by Yedda 

Latest Management Articles

Multi-cultural Workplaces: 7 Ways to Make Them Work
By: Joanna Penn | 25/07/2008
Nowadays, people work in global offices with colleagues from different worldviews, religions and attitudes. It is important to be aware of cultural differences and how they affect team dynamics, communication and management style. Multi-cultural workplaces also offer a wealth of new experience and self-growth opportunities. Here are 7 ways to improve multicultural relationships in your workplace.

Are You the Worst Leader in the World?
By: Steven Sonsino | 25/07/2008
The biggest single hurdle preventing employees from increasing their performance is their bosses.

The Ultimate Leadership Strategy
By: Steven Sonsino | 25/07/2008
Most executives know they should put poeple first. So why don't they?

How to Learn from Your Leadership Mistakes
By: Steven Sonsino | 25/07/2008
Success can stop you learning, but mistakes can kickstart change.

The Philosophy Of Six Sigma
By: Tony Jacowski | 25/07/2008
For years, many companies have worked hard in their attempt to achieve high profitability levels in their businesses. Business leaders are constantly on the lookout for new ideas that will have sustainable improvements over a larger period of time. For an integrated approach and to find the right tools for overcoming such issues, Six Sigma has come into limelight.

Merging Six Sigma And The Balanced Scorecard
By: Tony Jacowski | 25/07/2008
Every business leader wants to take their company to higher levels of profitability. This is accomplished by taking all stakeholders on the route of satisfaction by providing good value products or services. In this attempt, improving existing processes and developing new processes or products wherever required is one solution that a Six Sigma initiative can bring about.

Six Sigma: Phases Of Benchmarking
By: Tony Jacowski | 25/07/2008
On a Six Sigma project, you would generally face questions such as: how well is your organization doing? How do you compare to others? Are the best practices being used? - and so on. But, the real question is who comparisons are being made with.

Six Sigma Team Recognition And Rewards
By: Tony Jacowski | 25/07/2008
It is human nature to feel good and motivated to work further if a job well done is rewarded or recognized - even in a small way. In companies, it can prove to be of high value and encouragement for employees to work hard. Rewards give them the message that they are valued for their contributions - and that proves to be a good enabler for further sincere effort.

More from Gregg Hall

The New California Cell Phone Law and Why Bluetooth Will Save You a Ticket
By: Gregg Hall | 11/07/2008 | Cell Phones
If you live in California you should be aware by now that as of July 1, 2008 you can no longer drive while holding your cell phone and talking with out receiving a ticket.

Some Highlights About Visiting Hawaii
By: Gregg Hall | 06/05/2008 | Destinations
When a lot of people think about Hawaii they think about the tourists attractions only and you shouldn't think of Hawaii like that at all. There is so much to do other than Waikiki.

Why Vintage Cars Are Still Loved By Young And Old Alike
By: Gregg Hall | 06/05/2008 | Cars
People love vintage cars because it reminds them of when they bought it and such a good time that they had in the car at the time that they bought the car. That is the main reason why I think people bought them and kept them to this day.

How The Vintage Model A Ford Defines An Era
By: Gregg Hall | 06/05/2008 | Cars
Since Ford had came to be they had been selling the best of the best cars. Such as the model A type of car that would be the car that everyone would drive.

A Little Information About Flea Control On Your Pet
By: Gregg Hall | 06/05/2008 | Pets
If you have a pet then you know all about fleas and flea control. Even though it is hard to keep your pet from going outside you are still going to have to take them outside sooner or later and they are going to get a flea or two on them.

Why Ford Has Long Been A Popular Vintage Brand
By: Gregg Hall | 06/05/2008 | Cars
Ford has and always will be the number one company to buy a vehicle from. Since I started driving all my friends have had Ford trucks and they have been as old as my cars if not older and my cars always tended to break and stop running before their old truck did.

Why Vintage Car Shows Are So Popular
By: Gregg Hall | 06/05/2008 | Cars
There are all kinds of car shows all over the world and there are only a few of these that actually put on one about vintage old cars. So if you want to go to one of these types of car shows then you need to get online and find out where these are located.

Is The Sony PSP The Hottest Game System Available Today?
By: Gregg Hall | 06/05/2008 | Computer Games
There isn't a question about it the PSP is the hottest new gaming system on the planet. Everyone wants one because every time I go into a gaming store someone is always asking do you have PSP consoles in stock.

Article Categories






Give Feedback

Sign up for our email newsletter

Receive updates, enter your email below