FOCUS ON IMPORTANCE, NOT URGENCY

FOCUS ON IMPORTANCE, NOT URGENCY

Keep reminding yourself of the advice given by many time management authors: "The main thing is to keep the main thing the main thing."

REDUCE COMMUTE TIME

As the number of cars on the road increases, time spent commuting increases. Consider rapid transit, go-trains, carpools, telecommuting or even a move closer to work in order to reduce this time. But if you drive, don't work - while you're driving, that is.

REACHING A BUSY PERSON

If you suspect that someone will not return your call, try leaving a voice mail message that you'll call again later at a specific time. The more specific the better.

CONTROLLING MEETINGS

Set a deadline for time spent on each agenda item and assign a timekeeper to warn the group when the time is almost up.

MOBILE STORAGE DISK

More convenient than floppies and CDs, these storage sticks will fit on a key ring and transfer files from your office computer to laptop via a USB port. I have one that holds 128 MB but there are ones up to 1 gigabyte or more. They are great for traveling and taking files home with you.

 

E-MAIL TIP

You leave some space after your e-mail message to distance it from any technical verbiage that is added after transmission.