February is National Time Management Month
“Time is really the only capital that any human being has, and the only thing he can’t afford to lose.” — Thomas Edison
Time. We all have the same amount of it, right? How is it that some people are just better using it than others? Well, David Allan, the guru (at least in my book) of time management has a great strategy for getting things done.
Here’s a snippet of his philosophy:
- Capture: Use an in-box, a to-do list, a white board, an electronic task manager, or any other capture device that works for you.
- Clarify: Be very clear about what the next step is. Ignore it? File it? Delegate it? Work on it later? Work on it now?
- Organize: Where does it go (filing cabinet, car, assistant’s desk)? When does it need to get done (organize by priority)? Where can I do it (office, car, doctor’s office)? Organize all phone calls in one place. Make a list, geographically if possible, of all the errands that need to be run.
- Reflect: Frequently review your lists. Lists may need to be reviewed daily, weekly, monthly or yearly depending on priority. If something has been on a list for a while, can it be deleted?
- Engage: Simply start the process. Sometimes starting is the hardest part.
If you are looking for some great resource materials on time management, I can heartily suggest the following books as a start:
Getting Things Done: The art of stress free productivity
The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People
Cindy Jobs
Coaching Certifications (Coach Approach for Organizers):
Coaching Essentials; Strengths-Based Coaching; Brain-Based Coaching; Life and ADHD Coaching; Organizer Coach Integration; Body-Based Coaching; ADHD Coaching Competencies
Proud member of:
National Association of Professional Organizers (NAPO), Seattle Area Chapter President
Institute for Challenging Disorganization (ICD)
Level I Foundation Certification in Chronic Disorganization; ADD; Client Administration; Time Management; Mental Health; and Hoarding
Level II Specialist Certification in Chronic Disorganization and ADHD