Time Management: Become a Vampire Killer
Your time belongs to you. Sell it, use it for yourself, or even squander it. Sometimes, you give it to time vampires without realizing it.
Time management is self-management.
Squandered time insults life.
Master life by owning your calendar. You surrender your future when time vampires run your day.
Time management – 7 ways to slay vampires:
#1. Pause.
Pause before you begin time-consuming tasks. Write its purpose and how the task aligns with priorities. As time passes use your notebook only for new tasks.
#2. Track donations.
Keep a ‘Time Donated’ Log. For one week, note who you spend time with, how much, and why. Reflect on whether these are the right people to invest in.
Respect people who give their time to you.
#3. Brag.
Schedule a ‘Self-Check’ at the end of your day. Are you delighted with how you used time? What will you do differently tomorrow? Practice brag-worthy time management.
#4. Close the gate.
Set a ‘No Distraction’ Timer. Focus for 25 minutes (using a timer). Take a 5-minute break. (See the Pomodoro Technique.)
#5. Choose big rocks.
Begin each day by listing the top three tasks that align with your goals. Do important stuff before vampires drain your time away.
#6. Schedule priorities.
Organize next week this Thursday (or sooner).
Setting priorities is futile until you schedule time to get them done.
Spend 15 minutes Thursday morning scheduling next week’s big rocks. Do it before time bleeds away. Align your calendar with your purpose.
#7. Set vampire traps.
Plan your response when vampires show up. What will you say? Do?
Bonus: Slay distractions.
We use terms like “spend” and “invest” because we treasure time.
What time vampires do you regularly face?
Which suggestion could you implement today? (Are you already implementing?)
Dig Deeper:
Successful Time Management isn’t about Getting More Done
Time Management: 7 Golden Rules for Golden Hours
8 Tried and True Time Management Tips for Business Leaders – Insperity
Thanks for these insights. I have to admit managing time and priorities has always been unsatisfying for me. I’ve adopted methods, taken courses, and read books, yet I’ve found it hard to employ a lasting (say, more than eighteen months) technique. It feels like an AI should be able to help me. PCs and smartphones multiply distraction as much as streamlining a process (for me).
Thanks for your reflection, Tim. The ability to focus is a superpower. Frankly, 18 months seems pretty darn good. Whan a life-long solution eludes us, a series of short-term solutions is good enough.
Excellent!
Vampire Trap Suggestion: A question may be quick, but the answer never is. If someone asks you if they can just ask a quick question, tell them they can have 2 minutes of your time right now or 15 minutes of your time that works for you. Most people will take the second option.
Congratulations on having a strategy, Jennifer. Proactive seems so much better than reactive. I have two minutes now or 15 minutes at 10 is better than, I have to cut you short.
I’ve Noticed I’ve been way more productive during the night while whole family is asleep. It’s both “I don’t get discracted by other people” and “I don’t want to do much no to wake em up”, can work hours and hours straight without any discomfort!
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