“Your greatest resource is your time.” ~ Brian Tracy
One of the most common questions I get is: “How do you manage your time?”
Basically, asking how I am able to balance family life, career, pursuing my creative interests, etc, etc. I regularly share my thoughts on this matter. But, one of these days, I will probably create a time management series.
However, since I don’t really consider myself an expert, I’d like to work in what other people do too. So… How do YOU manage your time? What are the best time management tips that you know of? Do you have anything specific that you wish to learn about managing time?
Some more favourite time-related quotes:
“It’s how we spend our time here and now, that really matters. If you are fed up with the way you have come to interact with time, change it.” ~ Marcia Wieder
“Today, be aware of how you are spending your 1,440 beautiful moments, and spend them wisely.” ~ Unknown Author
“Until you value yourself, you will not value your time. Until you value your time, you will not do anything with it.” ~ M. Scott Peck
“If you want to make good use of your time, you’ve got to know what’s most important and then give it all you’ve got.” ~ Lee Iacocca
“Time is like money, the less we have of it to spare the further we make it go.” ~ Josh Billings
“Once you have mastered time, you will understand how true it is that most people overestimate what they can accomplish in a year - and underestimate what they can achieve in a decade!” ~ Anthony Robbins
{ 6 comments… read them below or add one }
el 01.25.08 at 8:16 am
Hi Shai,
No offense, but your site is getting boring to read. It’s jam-packed with Blog stuff (stats, how to’s) and quotes (a lot!). You’re making yourself sound like you’re an expert in many things. Too many ‘lecturing’ material and self-help treatments. Perhaps you’re getting into a “Blogging Crisis” too. I miss the usual just being yourself in the blog…simple and easy rants. Noticed that you removed your family/personal stuff. Understandable, we all need some privacy. How about creating another blog that’s all blog related - like what you used to have in about.com.
Thanks for listening
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Nicola 01.25.08 at 12:09 pm
Ugh. I’m hopeless at time management. Part of it is forgetfulness though, I only remember important stuff at inconvenient times. One of the strategies I have employed that cover both problems is a) writing down everything I need to do, and b) picking x number of things that I will do today. So in the weekend I might pick 3 or 4 things, and then think about the most efficient order of doing them in. During the week it might only be one thing, like ‘take part in Shai’s 52 week project after work tonight’. Writing things down and then working out the most logical way to tackle a handful of things at a time seems to work for me. Another thing that is probably helping is that I’m not undertaking any form of study for 8 months, but I hope this strategy will stick, and also set some good habits for when I return to study!
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planningqueen 01.25.08 at 4:04 pm
I connected with your general theme, however, none of the quotes really meant much to me. Achieving balance is the key issue in time management issue for me. i love my family and invest as mich time as I can in them. I am not great at siphoning off time to allow myslef more time to achive some of my non family related goals (hence writing this comment at 12.33am!), even though I know it is important for me.
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My Inner French Girl 01.25.08 at 8:53 pm
Hi, Shai! I can’t wait to read your time management series!
I personally love your blog and hope you won’t change a thing. I read some of the photography stuff (I used to be a professional photographer and have a Nikon D70), but most of the time I like everything else.
As for time management, one of the key things I’ve found that keeps me sane is to make lists. If I write it down, it’s out of my head and thus is one less thing I have to worry about. I review my lists almost everyday and cross out things as I do them. David Allen has an excellent book called “Getting Things Done” that outlines exactly how this works.
I know lots of people have elaborate systems for organizing themselves (Blackberries, multiple paper and online calendars, multiple file systems, etc.), but I advocate for simple solutions. The simpler it is, the more likely you are to stick with it. If it’s too complicated, it can be hard to find the motivation to follow through, especially the busier one gets.
Salut,
Marjorie
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Cellar 01.26.08 at 12:01 am
A few minutes of planning saves you about two hours!
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Shai Coggins 01.26.08 at 9:59 am
El: I started responding to your comment right here but realised I had a bit more to say. So, I ended up with a whole post for you - “Why I’m So Bloody Boring (Among Other Excuses)”
Nicola: I think most of us struggle with time management. But, it looks like you’re working through it. Sometimes, the most basic solutions can help in a big way.
planningqueen: The idea of balance has always been an enigma to me.
Anyway, if you have other time-related quotes, tips and ideas that you’d like to share, I’d love to read them!
Marjorie: You have no idea how much I appreciate your comment and the sentiment behind it. Thank you so much!
Sounds like I could use some of your knowledge and experience in photography. Wow. And, I love your points on time management too. Thanks.
Cellar: Can definitely agree with you there!
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