TIME SAVING TIPS TO KEEP YOU MOVING

1. do your thinking on paper. You will make quicker and better decisions if you write down the pros and cons of a line of actions. This doesn’t take time, it saves time!

2. use a “slush” file – have a specific place to put all papers, which are not important enough to file permanently, but which you feel comfortable about throwing away just yet.

3. in handling correspondence, consider answering routine letters and memos on the original, having your assistant run them through the photocopier for your records and returning the original to the sender.

4. if long periods of sitting make you lethargic, arrange two working levels so you can do some of your work standing up.

5. if you find it difficult to get any “quiet time” try to arrive at the office before anyone else to gain uninterrupted time for planning and other tasks.

6. get at-least 10 minutes of programmed exercises every day and throughout the day use every opportunity to walk, stand ,climb stairs, bend , etc. this not only promotes health but also increases “prime time” by reducing fatigue.

7. avoid clutter ,keep everything you are not working on out of your immediate working area and out of site if possible. Always tidy your desk and work area before leaving the office.

8. set up a desk date file (sometimes called a future file or tickler file) to provide an automatic method of bringing papers to your attention on a specific date in the future.

9. never do errands on impulse. Plan your route carefully, handling as many errands possible each time.

10. make maximum use of catalogues when shopping either for personal items or office equipment.

11. let your fingers do the walking. before running errands ,phone to compare prices, determine availability, etc.

12. plan each night what you are going to wear the next day, and lay it out ahead of time.

13. have your assistant use window envelopes where appropriate for correspondence .saving the time of a second typing of the name and address. Saving your assistant some time will mean she is more productive on other work.

14. plan your television viewing a week ahead so that you will be more selective in what you watch. Never turn on a tv set just to “see what’s on”.

15. hire specialities to handle things you could do your self but probably not as quickly or as well.

16. learn to read routine material more rapidly. Don’t backtrack, compulsively re-reading phrases before going on.

17. write a memo to yourself for future reference whenever you have completed a difficult task which is going to recur .you will benefit more from an experience if you have made a written record of your mistakes and of the lessons you have learned.

18. if you are always “putting out fires” ask yourself after each crises (a) why did it occur ? (b) what can be done to prevent its recurrence ? and (c) if it does recur, how can I handle it better next time?

19. ask yourself a hundred times a day “is what I’m doing or about to do, moving me toward my objectives?”