Where Did the Time Go?
Have you ever asked yourself, “Where did the time go?” and really have no idea of where it went? You didn’t finish all you had hoped to that day. The worst part is, you had been working very hard and you were probably feeling tired and frustrated at that point.
In my experience, most people are not aware of where their energy goes. I suggest a very simple device to help you increase your effectiveness without working harder or longer.
First, you need to know how you are currently spending your time. Keeping a time log will help you gain insight into what you are doing. Sometimes, raising one’s awareness by tracking is enough to reveal the habits that are slowing you down.
Record the time you start and stop your activities. You can do this at home, on the job, or if you work at home. You can do this for your work time, part of your time or your entire day. At the end of the day, sort all the time chunks into categories, such as telephone, e-mail, marketing, etc. You can then see more clearly how you’ve done your day. Do this for a week, as detailed as possible. You may be surprised with your findings.
Once you have a realistic assessment of your activities and the time you’re giving to them, revisit your vision for yourself. Ask yourself some pointed questions.
* What’s the problem?
* What do I want to achieve?
* What do I need to do or have to get there?
* What am I willing to commit to?
If you’re feeling like you’re doing more but accomplishing less, try looking at where your time and energy is going. Sometimes just a small change can yield great results.
Andrea Feldman is a Professional Organizer, Time Management Consultant, Motivational Speaker and Trainer. She helps businesses and individuals increase productivity by setting priorities, creating more efficient use of space and changing habits that drain time and energy.
As a public speaker, Andrea addresses business and community groups on topics including time management, controlling clutter and how to balance work and personal life.
In my experience, most people are not aware of where their energy goes. I suggest a very simple device to help you increase your effectiveness without working harder or longer.
First, you need to know how you are currently spending your time. Keeping a time log will help you gain insight into what you are doing. Sometimes, raising one’s awareness by tracking is enough to reveal the habits that are slowing you down.
Record the time you start and stop your activities. You can do this at home, on the job, or if you work at home. You can do this for your work time, part of your time or your entire day. At the end of the day, sort all the time chunks into categories, such as telephone, e-mail, marketing, etc. You can then see more clearly how you’ve done your day. Do this for a week, as detailed as possible. You may be surprised with your findings.
Once you have a realistic assessment of your activities and the time you’re giving to them, revisit your vision for yourself. Ask yourself some pointed questions.
* What’s the problem?
* What do I want to achieve?
* What do I need to do or have to get there?
* What am I willing to commit to?
If you’re feeling like you’re doing more but accomplishing less, try looking at where your time and energy is going. Sometimes just a small change can yield great results.
Andrea Feldman is a Professional Organizer, Time Management Consultant, Motivational Speaker and Trainer. She helps businesses and individuals increase productivity by setting priorities, creating more efficient use of space and changing habits that drain time and energy.
As a public speaker, Andrea addresses business and community groups on topics including time management, controlling clutter and how to balance work and personal life.