20 time management skills to make you productive

TOP 20 TIME MANAGEMENT SECRETS(FOR THE PROCRASTINATOR!)

CHANTAL BEAUPRE, N.D.Emotional Mastery Coach

Certified LifeSuccess Consultant

[email protected]

http://chantalbeaupre.com

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TOP 20 TIME MANAGEMENT SECRETS

CHANTAL BEAUPRE, N.D. 2

Introduction

Procrastination is one of the biggest traps that adults can fall into.Inevitably, there are projects at home or tasks at work that we just don’twant to do. We find them boring, difficult, or just seemingly unimportant.Even as kids we had moments of procrastination. After all, how manytimes did your mother have to hound you to clean your room?

We live in a world where quick entertainment is at our fingertips. Switchon the television, turn on the radio, or plug in the iPod. All of these funalternatives can ultimately prevent us from completing the tasks at hand.But, of course, this gets us nowhere, fast!

What Is Time Management?

All people are granted only 24 hours in any given day. How you chooseto use that time is what differentiates the procrastinators for theproficient time managers.

Learning time management techniques will help you plan your day so youknow exactly what has to be accomplished. It’s much easier to getmotivated in the morning if you know what your day holds. Otherwise,you’ll spend valuable time puttering around in your pajamas, trying todecide what you feel like doing, and all of a sudden it’s lunchtime andyour morning was wasted.

Denial won’t cause your work to go away. Rather, it only makes your lifemore stressful if you have to hurry to meet a deadline. So, rather thanstressing yourself out, let’s discuss some ways to kick the procrastinationhabit and become more productive with some time management tips!



Time Management Requires ACTION!

All procrastinators beware: to succeed at managing your time and beingmore productive during the day, you MUST take action!

It’s simple, really. But finding the desire to take action is usually when weprocrastinate.

Let’s start off easy with a few basic tips. Start making just one change aweek, and you’ll see results quicker than you think!

1. Start your day early. Do you roll out of bed each morning afterhitting the snooze button five times, only to discover you’re alreadyrunning late for work? How about on the weekends? Do you sleepin both days?

Forcing yourself to get up on time, without rushing, will leave yourefreshed and less stressed. Keeping this schedule on theweekends will grant you more hours of productivity. So get up, getdressed, and get going!

2. Prioritize your tasks. It may be best to get the hardest task out ofthe way first. If you start early in the day, you’ll have more energyto complete the task and you’ll feel more accomplished and lessstressed when the big project is out of the way. Others believe thatfinishing a lot of smaller jobs first is better because you’ll be able tobuild momentum and cross more off your to-do list, which will helpyou feel more productive.

In the end, there is no right or wrong way to prioritize your tasks;whichever way helps you motivate yourself to do the work is thebest way. Once your spirit is lifted, you’ll feel more optimistic andbe more productive.



3. Use calendars or daily planners. With the wide variety ofcalendars and planners on the market, there is truly no reason tobe disorganized or miss deadlines. Not everyone will benefit fromthe same type of planner, so take your time and discover whichsystem is best for you.

Whether it’s traditional paper, an electronic PDA, or a web-basedapplication (one that I highly recommend is PlanPlus Online byFranklinCovey), mark all of your deadlines and activities on itand discover where you have gaps so you can take some time totreat yourself.

Calendars or planners are only useful if you use themconsistently. Bring your planner with you to mark down importantappointments. Schedule your exercise classes on the planner andcheck your calendar before booking lunch with a friend. After just afew days, you’ll have a new habit and using a planner will becomesecond nature.

4. Set and respect deadlines. If you’re one of the many people whostresses out when a deadline is looming, build in some extratime so you can finish the job well ahead of time.

At work, your boss holds you accountable if you miss a deadline;but what about all those projects at home that you put off untiltomorrow? Enlist the help of a friend, colleague, or family memberto hold you accountable for completing these dreaded projects. It’sdifficult to admit your mistakes, so you’ll end up working harder toavoid having to tell a partner that you missed a deadline, yet again.

5. Focus on one thing at a time. For years, experts have beentouting the benefits of “multitasking,” praising those people whocan accomplish ten different things at the same time. What hasbeen discovered recently, however, is multitasking very often



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diminishes the quality of the work, even though it may befinished before a deadline.

Which sounds more productive: writing a five-page report in onehour’s time or spending three hours writing the report while alsoanswering emails and phone calls? Just focus on one thing at atime to get things done and off your plate.

6. Limit your distractions. Are you addicted to computer solitaire orhave a habit of checking your email or instant messages every fiveminutes? Keeping email and IM turned off and keepingbackground distractions to a minimum while working can help youfocus on the task at hand. You’ll be surprised how much moreyou accomplish when you’re not distracted every fiveminutes.

Some people will argue that music helps them to think andconcentrate. If that works for you, then there’s no reason to turn themusic off… unless you find yourself singing more than you’reworking. That’s a pretty clear sign that you need to refocus yourefforts without the music.

7. Take frequent breaks from long and arduous tasks. While thismight sound counterproductive, taking frequent short breaks canbreak the monotony of a task and can give you some new energy.If you’re just staring at the computer screen without typing thereport that’s due, you may as well awaken your brain with a briskwalk.

Stepping away from a project for five minutes will relieve yourstress and you’ll feel more refreshed to come back and finish thejob. Do some simple stretching exercises at your desk, go to thewater fountain, or simply turn off your computer monitor and close



your eyes for a moment. Just don’t get trapped in office politics orother time wasting activities – that just zaps you of your energy.

8. Set a specific time to check emails or return phone calls.Limiting your distractions does not mean you can’t communicatewith the outside world. If you’re expecting client emails, allowyourself time to check and answer them every 90 minutes or so. Ifyou’re dying to chat for two hours with your best friend inCalifornia, schedule that time in your planner. Once something isscheduled, allow yourself that time and activity.

Setting these boundaries is especially important if you own ahome-based business. Your clients need to know your businesshours and when they are allowed to call. Not many businessowners or their families appreciate client calls during dinner orfamily time.

9. Use a kitchen timer and set limits. Still having hard timeconvincing yourself to tackle that big project? Set a kitchen timerfor 30 minutes and work intensely during that time to accomplishas much as possible. When the timer goes off, allow yourself timefor a break or to move on to a smaller project. When the timerchimes again, move onto yet another project. This is perfect forthose people who like a constant change of pace.

Keep the timer with you as it ticks away the time. The tickingsounds might be annoying, but it just may be the nudge you needto avoid procrastination and keep moving.

If you work on a computer, you will most likely love using thisincredible piece of software featuring the “time-boxing” method ofproductivity and time management.



The program is called, The Action Machine, and it works on bothMAC and Windows computers. It is most definitely responsible formy being able to manage my time more effectively than mostpeople working today on the Internet.

10. Outsource tasks to others. If your budget allows, outsource – orhire – an expert to do the task you’re dreading. This is not thesame as living in denial because you’re taking the steps to hire anexpert! Experts very often have the right tools and equipment tomake the job go faster, and they also need to move quickly to getto the next customer on their schedule.

Hate racking leaves? Hire a landscaper. Hate cleaning yourhouse? Hire a house cleaning service. Hate shoveling yourdriveway in the winter? Hire the teenagers down the street lookingto earn some spending money.

11. Set reasonable goals. Which is more likely to help you getmotivated: cleaning out the basement or cleaning out a corner ofthe basement? If you haven’t gone into your basement in 20 years,what makes you think you’ll clean it out all in one day?

Strive to break down seemingly unconquerable tasks intosmaller, more manageable chunks. So, for example, when itcomes to a messy room, choose one small corner and clear outonly what’s in that corner. If you move quickly, you might have theenergy to conquer another small section. If not, cross that task offyour to-do list and be proud of yourself!

12. Utilize commuting time wisely. While it may be tempting to catchsome extra sleep on the train or bus, use this time to catch up onemails or put the finishing touches on that report that’s due. By thetime you get to the office, your inbox will be organized and you’llhave a clear plan of attack for the day.



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You can also use the time to read your favorite book or magazineduring your commute. Life doesn’t have to be all work and no fun!Time management is all about using your time wisely so you canenjoy your free time.

13. Use automated electronic equipment to save you time. Yourtime is valuable, no matter what job you have. If there’s an easy,automated way to do a particular task, there’s no shame in usingthat technology to give yourself more free time with your family.There are plenty of ways to automate repetitive tasks. Ask yourcolleagues or family for some ideas.

Some writers dictate articles into a small, digital recorder while onthe treadmill, then voice recognition software transcribes thearticles! Pretty neat, huh?! Another example: if you send people thesame emails over and over again, create a template so thecomputer does most of the heavy lifting for you.

14. Organize your desk and computer files. A clean desk withproperly labeled files will save you countless hours when you’researching for answers. Instead of checking multiple folders for thatone piece of paper, you’ll check just one folder because it’sproperly labeled. And you’ll know exactly which directory to searchon the computer for your client’s missing file.

Don’t know where to begin? Refer back to tips #10 and #11. Eitherhire a professional organizer or just tackle one drawer of your deskto start.

To help me keep my computer well organized and in order, Ipersonally use Dropbox. This is a free service that lets you bringyour photos, documents, and videos anywhere and share themeasily. Not only can you now forget about your USB key, but you’llnever have to email yourself a file again!



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15. Reward yourself for a job well done. There will always becertain projects or tasks that we despise doing, no matter howpositive our mindset is. When faced with this scenario, schedulesomething fun right after you complete each of those negativetasks. You’ll tend to work faster if you know you have something tolook forward to.

Go on a family hike after a morning of doing yard work. Allowyourself a phone call with a friend after cleaning the bathroom.Grab a coffee after finalizing the client’s report.

16. Be decisive. Rather than debating for 15 minutes over whetheryou should keep your 20-year old college textbooks, set your timeror a stopwatch and make the decision in less than one minute.The longer you think about your options – and the more optionsyou allow yourself – the less likely you will make a decision.

Make a game out of it by letting your kids time you. Take turns withthe stopwatch, and have a friendly competition to see who can fillup their donation box the fastest. However, if your kids are stillclinging to their beloved toys, it’s best to sort through them whilethey’re sleeping or at school.

17. Don’t micromanage. If a colleague or family member is workingon a project, avoid asking 500 times if they need help or want toknow other ways to do things. If you’re focused on other people’swork, then your own work suffers.

Lead by example by focusing on your own project andworking efficiently. You’ll also give others the space they need toaccomplish things by themselves.

18. Learn to say no. This isn’t about being rude to clients or friends.Rather, this is about taking control of your life and your free time.



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When asked to take on another responsibility, consult yourcalendar and then decide if you’ll enjoy it or stress out over it.

Most people would prefer an honest answer of no, rather thanoverburdening someone who’ll only do a less than acceptable job.If you feel awkward saying no, suggest a better time for you to helpor try to find a suitable replacement.

19. Take advantage of energy bursts. There’s no right or wrong timeto start a project, unless you’ll get in trouble for breaking yourneighborhood’s noise ordinance! But if you feel like mopping yourfloors at 10 pm when your family’s asleep, then do it. Want tobattle your insomnia by organizing your kitchen pantry? What’sstopping you?

Even if your energy is short-lived, you’ll feel much better havingaccomplished a small task.

20. Be affirmative. Negative thoughts permeate our minds very easilywhen we get discouraged with a challenge. If we carry thesenegative thoughts with us, we start to believe that all changes areimpossible and it’s okay to give up and leave projects unfinished.

The same can be said of positive thinking. So instead of saying toyourself, “I will try to get this done,” be positive and say, “I will getthis done.”

The Final Lesson

Everyone has the capabilities to change what we don’t like. If you’re aprocrastinator, you have the ability to change your ways, but only youcan take these action steps to become more productive.



By practicing just one of these tips every week – or every day, if you’reambitious – you will soon develop lifelong habits and these timemanagement techniques will become second nature to you.

Engage your family to join this challenge with you. What a life lesson thiswill be for your children; their future spouses will surely thank you forteaching them the value of time!



Ready to Take This to Another Level?

A couple of years ago, I set out on a mission to create a simple andintuitive tool to help make breaking free from procrastination a total no-brainer for you!

This gave birth to Procrastinator No More, an audio program includingcutting-edge learning techniques specially designed to help you motivateyourself from within and achieve your heartfelt goals of success andhappiness.

In this amazing session, you will learn everything you need to know toescape the trap of procrastination, take control of your life, and becomeincredibly more productive – all of this, faster than you ever dreamedpossible!

If you're ready to have more fun and get more done, starting today, visithttp://ProcrastinatorNoMore.com right now to discover what this audioprogram can do for you.

You’ll be so glad you did!



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Please Give This Report Away!

Before wrapping up, I'd like to express my sincere gratitude for youallowing me to be part of your day and share all these great tips and toolswith you.

If you know of anyone that could benefit from the information in thiscomplimentary report, please feel free to send it to them.

As a matter of fact, you're free to give the report away to as many peopleas you want – including posting it online and/or mailing it to yoursubscriber list, if you have one. All I ask is that you don't alter thedocument in any way. Sounds fair? :-)

Truly caring for YOUR success!

Chantal Beaupre, n.d.Emotional Mastery CoachCertified LifeSuccess Consultant



About the Author

Chantal Beaupre is an Emotional Mastery Coach, a Naturopath, anIndependent Licensed LifeSuccess Consultant, and a business partner ofBob Proctor – as seen in “The Secret” movie.

Her passion is to assist, educate, and inspire consciously focusedbusiness owners and individuals to achieve extraordinary success andhappiness, at home and in the workplace.

Recognized as the go-to personal growth expert, Chantal has a treasuretrove of practical, highly effective tools to help you live your life to thefullest.

Being herself a voracious happiness seeker, Chantal realized that beinghappy from the inside out can be accomplished by learning from themasters – those who have blazed the trail for others to follow. Therefore,she spent over 25 years studying psyche, emotions, human behavior,and the mind – including a 1,000-hour professional training in RationalEmotive Behavior Therapy (REBT).

Chantal’s background includes work in the corporate world as well as apsychotherapy practice. She started out in the financial services field, incustomer service and brokerage accounts. For more than a decade, shehas been involved on both personal and professional levels in RationalEmotive Behavior Therapy (REBT).

In the transition from psychotherapy to coaching, she weaves coachingprinciples, structures, and technology into her many products andservices, allowing her to offer her clients far more value than before.

Chantal has co-authored an eBook titled, It’s The Thought That Counts!,along with Ali Brown, Eva Gregory, Guy Finley, Jeanna Gabellini, Jim



Donovan, Dr. Joe Rubino, Mary Allen, and a host of other leading expertsin the happiness arena.

She has shared the virtual stage both as a host and featured speakerwith the likes of Mary Morrissey, Crystal Andrus, Dr. Joe Vitale, Dr. SueMorter, Jim Bouchard, Cari Murphy, and Kristine Carlson.

Chantal was also named one of Inspire Me Today‘s luminaries along withSir Richard Branson, Seth Godin, Marci Shimoff, and Jack Canfield.

Finally, Chantal is the author of an array of signature personal growthprograms including Procrastinator No More, Achieving Your DreamsWithout Fear, Anxiety Free At Last, and Attracting the Life You Desire.

To learn more, please check out Chantal's website at:http://chantalbeaupre.com.



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http://chantalbeaupre.net/products/achieving-your-dreams/

http://chantalbeaupre.net/products/achieving-your-dreams/

http://chantalbeaupre.com/anxiety-free-at-last/

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20 time management skills to make you productive

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