This is a guest post by James Bentham. If you’d like to guest post on this blog, click here.
Business has evolved significantly over the past decade. While there are a limited number of hours in a week, the number of goals that an employee must meet each week has increased. Many businesses and organizations expect employees to maintain a high level of productivity without entering overtime. The following time management tips provide simple ways for managing one’s time in a work or personal environment.

1. Identify and Eliminate Distractions

It’s important to avoid any activities that can distract one from work. These distractions can include socializing, watching television, surfing the internet, and interacting through social media. While these activities can provide a break from a dull work environment, they can be a huge time sink.

One way to minimize distractions is by turning off an internet connection. If a job doesn’t require internet access, then try disabling it for a few hours. This can be accomplished by disconnecting a network cable, turning off a personal router, or getting away from a computer screen. Many types of work can be completed without the use of a computer. If one is researching or studying information, try printing that information onto paper. This will provide a medium that offers minimal distractions.

An e-reader can be a good way to minimize interference when working. Work documents can be uploaded to a simple e-reader with minimal features. This will prevent one from wasting time on email, internet surfing, and other distractions.

2. Define Goals and Consider Time Management Software

Time management software can be a great way to keep track of goals when completing a job or assignment. An actionable goal forces an individual to work on a set schedule. Sometimes it is beneficial using a software-based solution to manage your time. It can help you stay on track and focused.

3. Minimize Lost Time due to Friends and Family

While it’s never fun to be unfriendly, there are times when people must understand and respect boundaries. It can be difficult to say No to a friend, but it’s important to communicate that one must complete his or her work.

For people who work from home, distractions from family members can be challenging. Try setting aside a separate room for your home office that family members can’t enter during the day. While this may seem antisocial, it can be the only way to complete your work. In addition, request that family members not ask for help with chores during a workday. If you are up front about it, they should understand.

4. Define Work Times

You should create a defined work schedule for each day. This will prevent free time and work time from blending. Free time and breaks can often encroach on one’s work schedule. The best way to do this is by setting a rigid working schedule.

Set aside an eight hour period each day where one has to do work. While it’s OK to allow a break for lunch, it’s essential to make sure there are no other distractions.

5. Is This The Right Work?

While not all work can be enjoyable, procrastination may be a symptom of a larger problem. A fear or sense of dread about work may indicate the need for a new career. Explore other options that can provide both enjoyment and a secure financial future.

Time management should be a primary focus when it comes to your workplace productivity. Hopefully these five simple and effective time management tips will help keep you focused and on track each and every working day.

This guest article was written by James Bentham who specializes in business software solutions. He has been creating web content for over 6 years and specializes in business and technology topics. He is always looking for ways to be more effective at work and hope to impart some helpful tips along the way.

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This is a guest post by Steve Shapiro. If you’d like to guest post on this blog, click here.

When contemplating the “modern design” concept, most people immediately think of smooth contours, spartan contents, neutral tones, and ultra-contemporary furnishings. Like many novelties, modernized interior decors may appear somewhat understated at first blush. Upon closer examination of the matter, however, it becomes aptly apparent that this acquired taste has many advantages over more traditional options.

A Sign of Things to Come

“Contemporary” and “modern” are two terms that are often used interchangeably to describe a specific type of interior design. Despite the novel connotations of both names, this decorating innovation initially gained widespread popularity in America during the early 1960s. Widespread preoccupation with spaceships and aircraft was the phenomenon that first spawned the trend. As such travel modes became more common, public fascination with furnishings and decors that resemble flying things faded somewhat, which prompted modernist designs to take a less ostentatious, almost minimalistic route; and it is this style that has persevered and flourished over the ensuing decades.

Contemporary designs snub curvaceousness in favor of sharp borders, precise lines, and – at their most rotund – continuous unbent formations. Modern woodwork carvings, crown moldings, and doors are definitely different from those of yesteryear. Dominant shape and color coordination is now defined in terms like “flat,” “narrow,” “round,” and “plain.” Contemporary interior home furnishings, for their part, feature spartan linear contours which often present in

conformity with aerodynamics (as did the first spacecraft-inspired contemporary decor of the 1960s). A typical example of this is the single-color leather sectional sofas that have become popular in recent years. In the same vein, contemporary floors are covered with linoleum or tile rather than patterned carpeting (as this also reduces allergies), while modern dinettes are of lightweight metallic construction rather than heavy oaken build. Instead of tradition, contemporary designs emphasize technology and functionality. As conservation and economy are society’s current catchwords, it is hardly surprising that modern consumers desire interior decor that reflects these virtues. With these two virtues in mind, it is worth discussing 4 key ways that modern design can save not only your time, but your money as well!

Efficiency

The characteristic clean, linear look of contemporary design minimizes clutter and maximizes tidiness. Getting greater usage from less space and lower dust accumulation are two additional modern design attributes. An overall contemporary look even optimizes optical effects by fooling the eye into believing that an area is much bigger than it actually is. Modern interior decors conserve physical energy by eliminating monolithic furniture movement each time you clean a room. Likewise, electrical energy is preserved by the lack of bulky furniture that prohibits free airflow throughout the room, thus saving money on electric bills as well. Contemporary design colors are also attractive in more ways than one; reflective colors that help retain or reflect hot or cold air as appropriate really take a load off heat and air conditioning systems.

Organization

Various partitions, divisions, and decorative doors increase storage capacity without adding a single inch a structure’s physical dimensions. Cabinets containing internal sliding doors can divide a room into several “storage zones,” for instance. Hook-type holders on inner closet and cabinet door surfaces can also serve as valuable storage devices. This high level of partitioning makes organizing your possessions easy and efficient.

Cleanliness

A popular philosophy posits that cleanliness is next to Godliness. As such, occupying a contemporary designed structure or dwelling must be the closest thing to a Heaven on Earth. Modern furniture and interior accessories tremendously facilitate tidiness by providing a place for everything and helping you keep everything in its place. Due to this delightful combination of enhanced storage and eliminated clutter, contemporary rooms practically keep themselves clean; mix in laminated flooring instead of carpets, and even vacuuming becomes far less necessary.

Calming

Greatly enhanced emotional serenity is another contemporary decor advantage. Subdued neutral tones that soothe – rather than assault – the senses create this felicitous state. A tidy, spacious-looking area also elevates moods and enhances domestic tranquility. There is no clutter or other visual cues to distract you from relaxation or concentration. This sense of calmness will keep you feeling good and thus better able to effectively handle whatever challenges life throws your way.

Do Not Deny Yourself a Contemporary Décor Any Longer

It is easy and cost-effective to avail yourself of all the advantages afforded by a contemporary interior décor. Think

of how much more productive you will be in both personal and professional realms by fully focusing on your immediate vocational – or avocational – task. You will not only accomplish more in less time, but having any implement or item you might need within easy reach is also very reassuring. When you factor in phenomenal financial savings, it is simply impossible to go wrong with the immediate implementation of a contemporary interior design.

This guest article was written by Steve Shapiro who is the founder of the eRoomService modern furniture showroom in Bensalem, PA. He has extensive interior design experience and is an enthusiastic supporter of many modern European furnishings.

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This is a guest post by Stella Walker. If you’d like to guest post on this blog, click here.

[cw4]You’re a busy professional, with an equally hectic family life, and you have recently found yourself spending as much time working as you are thinking about how you don’t have enough time to finish everything at work and home.  Worrying about how to optimize how you spend every minute of every day is a common concern for business men and women. These concerns can be useful if the worry is transformed into practical action.

Time management is not an easy skill to learn, especially if you aren’t one of those few blessed individuals that seem to have been born measuring their lives in coffee spoons.  It is, however, a skill that can be learned over time with a concerted effort.

Don’t Panic

The first thing to remember is that time is constant.  There will always be 24 hours in a day, and nothing you can do will change that.  A wise wizard from my favorite childhood fantasy series said, “All that you have to decide is what to do with the time that is given to you.”  Once you realize that you can’t change time, you can relax a little, and start focusing on ways that you can better manage and maximize the time you have.

Plan, Plan, and Plan Some More

Sometimes a task or set of tasks feels larger than it actually is because we are trying to think about everything at once.  Instead of keeping your day organized in your head (which is admittedly not the neatest place, even for geniuses) make a plan every day.  List out everything that needs to be done and then organize the list by priority.

Once you’ve done that, decide how long you’ll spend on each task.  Working on the largest, hairiest task of the day all day long can actually be counter-productive, especially if you aren’t making the kind of progress you hoped or expected you would.  If that is a problem you’re too familiar with, limit yourself to 10 or 20 minutes at a time working on the big project, taking breaks to walk, or work on smaller items to refocus and come back with new eyes.

Similarly, you can decide whether it has to be you that does everything on the list.  Often, you can delegate tasks out to others.  Maybe the new hire, Jim, for example, can take care of copying that report.  How about your husband picking up the kids and dinner?

Learning to Say No and Other Helpful Strategies

Probably one of the most common time management problems people have is the inability to say no to work that is outside their range of responsibilities or that is not a priority.  You might be surprised to find how much time you can save just by saying no when you need to.  How to say no is a learned skill that comes with experience.

Another method you might consider is keeping a log of how you spend your time for a few days, so that you can examine how you are really spending your time.  You can’t argue with facts, and raw data like that can give you a great perspective, as well as an initial benchmark that can help you decide where to start making efforts.

If these preliminary strategies don’t start you on the path to a more streamlined lifestyle, consider attending a time management workshop.  Employers generally offer courses related to time management tips, but even if yours does not, you can usually sign up for a class at a local community college or a university.

Just remember: don’t panic.  Time will always be there.

This guest article was contributed by Stella Walker who is a freelance writer of free credit score where she writes about topics including credit, debt, investment, and bankruptcy.

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It’s that presidential time of the year again in the US where the car dealers brush off (this snowy winter has been brutal), shine up, and line up another year of new vehicle inventory in hopes of starting the year off to a financially rousing start. When the days get a little longer and the temps start climbing as we get a little closer to spring, we tend to venture out of our houses a bit more.  The car and truck salesmen are banking that the winter shut-ins will make their way to their local dealerships in search of a new toy after the holidays. But if you are considering a new toy to help alleviate your post holiday winter blues, you may want to factor time management and financial management into the equation. We can all use time management tips and financial management tips in our lives.

If you are thinking about getting a new car or truck then you certainly have some options.  In years past leasing has certainly received some bad press.  But, for some people, leasing is a great option.  In fact, I am a huge proponent of leasing.  I have leased many cars in the past and I currently have two outstanding leases for cars in my household.  So what are the conditions that could lead you to lease?

Your time is precious

If you are like me you absolutely hate to have to continually go to the car mechanic.  In fact, in years past, the car mechanic was my best friend.  So, I pretty much made a conscious decision within the past few years that I wanted to have cars that didn’t require constant mechanical attention.  So this is when I decided to go the leasing route.  I wanted to have a car that was under warranty at all times and didn’t want to spend my time and aggravation having to bring my car to the mechanic and have someone pick me up and bring me back when the car was done being worked on.  And I would also have to arrange for somebody to bring me to and from work if the car was being worked on during the week.

You don’t drive too many miles

Leasing is probably not a good idea if you tend to drive over 12,000 miles per year.  You can lease a vehicle based on a higher number of miles driven per year but that poses a problem.  If you are leasing a car to remain within warranty for the full lease (I’m assuming a 3-year lease) and the typical car warranty is 36,000 miles or 3 years, then if you go more than 12,000 miles per year, you will go over the 36,000 miles by the end of the lease.  That negates one of the true benefits of leasing which is to drive a car that is within warranty at all times.

Your money is precious

Lower Up-Front Costs

I have leased many cars and have never had to come up with a down payment. I feel that having lower up-front costs is a huge benefit because I can do other things with that down payment like pay other bills or invest it. 

Lower Monthly Payments

Another advantage of leasing is that when you lease you aren’t paying for the full amount of the car. You are basically paying for the value of the car for the first three years of its life. When you buy a car you are paying the full cost of the vehicle which means that your monthly payments will be higher. Cash flow is important to all of us and with leasing you have lower monthly payments freeing up your cash for other purposes as well as always having a safe and reliable car to drive.

So, should you lease?

If you tend to drive a lot or you keep your cars for years and years and don’t mind spending your time going to the mechanic on a regular basis, then buying may be the best option for you.  But, if you don’t drive an exorbitant

amount of miles, prefer to drive a mechanically sound car at all times, have lower monthly payments, and always be within the manufacturer’s warranty, then leasing may be the best option for you.

Time management and financial management are huge issues in our lives that we all deal with on a daily basis. Utilizing effective time management tips and financial management tips in our lives can help us tremendously. Peace of mind when it comes to my cars is also a big issue for me especially when my daughter is driving one of my leased cars and my wife is driving the other one.  So the next time you have to arrange for someone to bring you to and from the mechanic, drive you to and from work, and shell out another unexpected car payment for new ball joints or a timing belt, think about leasing.  It just might be the best option for your time, your money, and for your peace of mind.

This is a guest post by Carrie Oakley. If you want to guest post on this blog, click here to get more information.

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They’re not known for their promptness or punctuality, and they’re perceived to be laid back and casual in everything they do. However, not every college student fits this stereotype – most of them want to manage their time better but don’t know how to do so with all the stuff that’s going on in their lives. Time management for students is very important, as is their organizational skills. They have too much on their plate – lessons, classes, friends, relationships, social events both in real life and online, family, sports, entertainment, and fun times besides having to eat, sleep and look after personal hygiene and grooming. And with trying to balance all these and fit them into the limited time available, they tend to lose track of time. However, it’s not that hard to manage time effectively if you really set your mind to it – all it takes are these seven practical time management tips that work well for college students with lots to do and not enough time to do it. Time management for students should be a priority if they want to have a fulfilling time in their college years.

Click Here to Improve your Time Management

1. Wake up an hour earlier

Now this could be hard to implement if you’ve spent the night out partying or even hitting the books; however, it pays to wake up at least 30 minutes earlier than you do if you have many things planned for the day. When your schedule is full, create time for the things you need to do. If you’re not an early bird, then be a night owl – go to sleep late after you’ve finished all that needs to be done. This way, you stretch your day and have more time to get things done.

2. Set reminders

Technology is a wonderful thing; Use gadgets and applications to set reminders for important events so that you’re never late and never unprepared. When you receive information about an event, store it on your smart phone and set reminders to ring a day in advance (so you can ensure that you’re prepared) and an hour before the event is due (so you can get there on time). Once this becomes a habit, you’re never going to be late or find that you’re not prepared for any activity or event.

3. Be Organized

One of the biggest time wasters is the task of searching for ordinary objects that we throw around casually. If you spend a good portion of your day searching for your keys or your glasses or any other object that you use routinely, you can save yourself immense trouble and a great deal of time by being organized and improving your organizational skills. A place for everything and everything in its place. This motto is a great way to place things where they belong so that you don’t waste time looking for them. When you’re organized, it’s like you’re conjuring time out of thin air.

4. Do a little every day

One of the best time management tips when it comes to preparing for tests and exams, is to do a little every day instead of putting off all your studying until the last minute. For one, it saves you a lot of stress, and for another, you avoid having to burn the midnight oil and ruin your health in the process on the eve of your exams. An hour or less is enough every day to go over what you’ve done in class and do a little revision.

5. Set priorities

There will be times when you’re overwhelmed with things to do and in a quandary as to how to do them all. The key to managing your time in this situation is to set priorities for each task and take care of them according to their order of importance. This way, you minimize your risks and maximize your time.

6. Don’t take on more than you can do

It’s better to under-promise and over-deliver rather than vice versa. This way, you not only exceed expectations, you also avoid the embarrassment of not being able to keep your commitments. When you bite off more than you can chew, you’re only setting yourself up for distress and stress. Too many projects requiring completion in too little time could end up in the compromise on quality. So know your limitations, work on your organizational skills, and work within them in order to manage your time better.

7. Know when you’re wasting time

It’s much easier to waste time today than a few years ago, simply because there’s so much to do online. You find that you’re looking at your Facebook page or simply browsing the net when you logged on just to reply to an email from your professor. Your books await, but you’re lost in the online world; and by the time you return, it’s time to do the next task of the day. In order to make better use of your time, be aware of the times you’re wasting time. This helps you get back on track before you lose too much time.

Click Here to Improve your Time Management

Time management for students is developed slowly but steadily. If you follow these basic time management tips and improve your organizational skills, they become a habit over the rest of your life.

This guest post was contributed by Carrie Oakley, who writes on the topic of online colleges.

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This is a guest post by Richard Hemby. If you want to guest post on this blog, click here to get more information.
In today’s fast-paced world, excellent time management skills are a necessity for business executives and busy moms alike. With so many goals to achieve, our lives can quickly become overwhelming with productivity adversely affected. For those truly dedicated to managing their responsibilities well and achieving their personal and business goals, there are a few time management systems on the market to help foster success. Time management tips can help us immensely in our daily lives. Today, we will cover 3 of the most popular frameworks: Getting Things Done System (GTD), the Zen to Done System (ZTD), and the Autofocus System.

The GTD System

The GTD System was developed by international author and lecturer, David Allen. It utilizes two key elements, control and perspective, in the management of time. The guiding principle behind this system is that through recording task lists externally one frees up the mind. Consequently, if the mind is freed from having to remember all the tasks that need to be completed, it can actually concentrate on the completion of those tasks. Therefore, Allen advocates that followers write everything down as it comes to mind and process those notes so that everything has a place. In addition, to-do lists should be broken down into various lists

based upon what can be done now. The GTD System also addresses projects, workflow, and the very important weekly review. Allen also suggests using a system of folders (called a tickler) and a simple, alphabetical filing system as a means to keep all upcoming events in sight. While this time management method can theoretically be followed through traditional paper tools such as notepads or index cards, there are numerous software applications available for purchase to assist the user in implementing the GTD System, and David Allen himself recommends using a PDA or a personal computer for maximum benefit from it.

The ZTD System

The ZTD System was created by productivity blogger Leo Babauta and draws upon some of the concepts in the GTD System. It purports to be the “ultimate simple productivity system.” Babauta developed the ZTD System in response to shortcomings he found while following the GTD System himself. His main focus in developing this system was on those personality types he felt might not be able to fully implement the GDT System. For example, the ZTD System focuses on changing one habit at a time rather than making a series of habit changes at once. Barbauta felt the primary flaw with David Allen’s system was that many people could not follow through due to too much change at one time. Instead, Barbauta advises followers of the ZTD System to adopt it in phases. In addition, his system proposes to be more focused on actually doing, more structured, and more simplified in addressing goals. The ZTD System is essentially a set of ten habits that will allow the follower to get things done. These ten habits, to be practiced at most two to three at a time, include collecting, processing, planning, doing, using a simple system, organizing, reviewing, simplification, routine, and finding your passion.

The AutoFocus System

The Autofocus Time Management System was introduced by British author Mark Forster. The Autofocus System emphasizes making intuitive choices and approaching any to-do list as a series of sub-lists. This simple system consists of maintaining one long list in a ruled notebook of everything that needs to be done and adding items at the end of the list as necessary. The follower then tackles that list by quickly reading it without following through, then slowly reviewing the items to find one that stands out, and ultimately working on that item for as long as wanted. The process repeats itself as unfinished or repetitive items are re-entered at the end of the list. Forster refers to this kind of system as “structured procrastination.” He explains that the Autofocus System works by “providing a framework which balances the rational and intuitive parts of the brain.” Forster asserts that users of his system will experience less stress, a much increased volume of work, faster processing of routine tasks such as checking email and returning telephone calls, and a more thorough processing of major tasks. Forster continues to

revise his system, so there are actually four systems currently available including Autofocus 1, Autofocus 2, Revised Autofocus, and Autofocus 4. Each varies slightly and any version can be used as desired, but they are all based upon the core principles of the first.

For anyone looking for a time management system, many options are available to fit the user’s particular personality and needs. Each of these systems has a legion of fans and can send anyone looking for time management tips well on his or her way to accomplishing goals and improving quality of life.

This guest article was contributed by Richard Hemby, a freelance writer based in Seattle, Washington who writes about online degrees and college related topics for Online College Guru, a directory of online colleges. You can also follow him on Twitter.

If you want to guest post on this blog, click here to get more information.

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This is a guest post by Adrienne Carlson. If you want to guest post on this blog, click here to get more information. From the time we begin school till the time we graduate from college, we lead the charmed life of a student. We are free from the regular responsibilities of adult life with nothing to worry about except how to get good grades and enjoy life without getting into serious trouble. But in spite of this relatively carefree life, there are certain responsibilities that we have, mainly to ourselves and our personal development. Each year that passes by, we must grow in maturity and wisdom, and one aspect of maturing as a student is to learn how to manage time. We can all use time management tips and time management for students is important because it:

1. Develops Responsibility.

It may be clichéd, but it is true that time and tide wait for no man. Each of us has the same 24 hours in a day, but some of us manage to get more accomplished because we use time more efficiently. This is the difference between successful and responsible adults and others who don’t value time. When you get into the habit of procrastinating as a student, you tend to do the same when you’re an adult. Habits that are learned when young are hard to change the older you become.

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2. Leads to Effective Learning.

When you know how to manage time well, you can learn more effectively; you become adept at studying quickly and more efficiently and this allows you more time to do other things. When you become an effective learner, it’s easy to maintain good grades throughout college and secure a good job on graduation, one that pays well and allows you to lead a comfortable life.

3. Results in Efficiency Gains.

College is not about studies and classes alone; there are other activities and interests that you can pursue and which most students seldom find quality time for. When you know how to manage your time well, you have enough time left for social and sporting activities even after devoting an adequate number of hours for your lessons. Some students even manage to find and hold down a job and make money while they learn.

4. Aids in Money Management.

In today’s world, time is money, and the more time you waste, the more money you waste. Just as a penny saved is a penny earned, time not wasted is money earned. When you use every minute of your time wisely, you know that you can make money in various ways.

5. Prepares them for the Working World.

When you graduate and start your career, you need to be able to manage your time effectively if you want to be taken seriously and be appreciated by your employers. Even if you’re in business for yourself, unless you know how to make the most efficient use of your time and effectively utilize time management tips, you’re going to find the going tough. Time management for students is important and if you’re a good at time management when in college, this habit helps you when you enter the working world, both in gaining employment and in retaining it.

Click Here to Improve your Time Management

This guest article was written by Adrienne Carlson, who regularly writes on the topic of accelerated online degrees. She is a graduate in English literature and currently pursuing her masters in Online Journalism.

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In my last post I touched upon five time wasters that are related to self-management and how we can avoid them.  In this post I am going to focus on time management and specifically, five time wasters associated with planning.  And, for the first time ever, I am running a poll on what you feel leads to the most time wasted. Please participate in my poll at the end of the post! I am really looking forward to seeing how you vote.

Lack of written goals with deadlines

Floundering is probably the best word to describe what happens when we don’t have clear written goals identified.  There is no bigger time waster than the lack of written goals with deadlines.  The act of having clear written goals is very powerful and will help us stay on track.

How to Avoid: This is an easy one. Set your plan of attack and your end goals down on paper and review them regularly.  For the short-term I have daily and weekly goals and for more long-term planning I have monthly and yearly goals.  I keep those goals in a place in my office where I can see them at all times.  Visibility to my goals helps me stay the course and avoid wasted time floundering from one task to the next.

Failure to break top priority into manageable parts

We all tend to have top priorities at our jobs or at home.  This top priority may seem daunting when we look at the whole project.  Figuring out how to proceed at this seemingly unmanageable task can lead to a lot of wasted time.

How to Avoid: Breaking your top priority into smaller more manageable tasks will help you see the end goal down the road.  When you successfully complete each task along the way to the end goal, it will tend to reinforce the process.  As a result, each completed task will build momentum and keep you focused until the top priority is completed.

Scope Creep

When it comes to project management, scope creep refers to random changes in the scope (aim or purpose) of the project.  If you have ever been involved in any type of project you can certainly relate to this phenomena.  Scope creep can lead to a huge waste of time in your project schedule.

How to Avoid: The best way to avoid scope creep is to identify the clear goals of the project ahead of time.  Defining the deliverables and having all of the drivers sign off on them is extremely important.  If everyone understands and agrees to the end goal of the project then straying from that goal should be less likely.

Snap Decisions based on insufficient facts

Some of us pride ourselves in making quick decisions and we may think that these snap decisions will save us time so we can move forward.  But this may not always be the case.  Making decisions without all of the facts may lead us down the wrong path.

How to Avoid: Gathering all of the facts that are needed to make a decision which could drastically affect the end goal is very important.  Take a little extra time to gather those facts before you waste a lot more time as a result of your snap decision.

Indecision

On the flip side there are some people who have a hard time making a decision.  Indecision can not only waste a lot of time, but it can lead to morale issues if you have people who are working for you on a project.  Lack of any clear leadership and direction from a manager can only lead to problems.

How to Avoid: Learn to gather the facts as needed and make a wise time-sensitive decision.  If you’re a manager don’t leave your people hanging.

My last 2 posts have identified 10 total time wasters associated with time management.  In my first attempt at a poll I would love you to participate and let me and the rest of the readers know what you feel are your biggest time wasters. Thanks for taking part in my poll!
Note: There is a poll embedded within this post, please visit the site to participate in this post's poll.

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Increasing productivity is a goal for most of us but there are many time wasters that can drastically affect how much we get done in our daily lives. In this post I will touch upon five time wasters that are related to managing ourselves each day and tips on how we can avoid them. Feel free to add your own in the comments.

Personal Disorganization

You may not consider being disorganized a time waster but it can surely be a major symptom. If you have a cluttered desk or a poorly organized filing system (or none at all), you certainly could waste time finding certain

items associated with projects that you’re currently working on.
How to avoid: Take a few minutes each morning or at the end of the day to clean your desk and organize your filing system. Your organizational skills are extremely important! This will go a long way in helping you find paperwork or documents associated with the projects you need to tackle that day and the next.

Procrastination

I must say that I am as guilty of procrastination as the next person. Putting off what you know you have to work on is the epitome of time-wasting.
How to avoid: Setting clear and distinct goals for each day should help considerably in your fight against procrastination. Review what you have accomplished at the end of each day. This should help reinforce your daily fight against procrastination.

Attempting too much by yourself

Being self-sufficient is honorable but trying to do too much is another. Trying to figure out how to do something that you don’t specialize in can be a huge time waster.
How to avoid: Ask for the help of others who have a specific skill rather than trying to figure it out on your own and, as a result, wasting time doing so. If you want to revisit it later, then do so but try to use others to help you reach your goals. You may find that you may also be able to help them out in their next project.

Socializing or pointless conversations

I’m sure that everyone’s eyes lit up reading this one. Let’s face it, we are all guilty of this time waster. Obviously there is a time and a place for socializing but there can come a point when it can consume huge volumes of time. These conversations, unless they are related to your project, can grab precious time from accomplishing your goals.
How to avoid: If you have a hard time avoiding such conversations, ask a co-worker to step in if they see you in a conversation that has escalated into a big time waster. Have that person either call your phone or drop by and say that your services are needed. One technique that I use regularly is to excuse myself and head to the restroom. Whatever works for you use it…

Meetings

I do my best to avoid as many meetings as possible. I’ve been to too many meetings that clearly had no direction and had no goals defined as a result of the meeting. Arbitrary meetings in the corporate world are the biggest culprits that can lead to a big waste of time. Whomever has called the meeting should use his or her organizational skills wisely.
How to avoid: Be inquisitive of the meeting organizer before the meeting as to why you are invited. Too often I have been invited to meetings where I really had no role. It’s almost like the

organizer says to himself “Let’s invite Bob. He may be able to contribute something.” Learning to say “No” may be tough to do but it is necessary if you want to accomplish your goals. Don’t waste an hour or more in a meeting that isn’t to your advantage.

Wasting time related to managing yourself is something that we have to avoid if we want to accomplish our daily, weekly, monthly, and yearly goals. Hopefully this post has identified some of your major time wasters and tips in how to avoid them. Next time I will discuss
5 time wasters related to planning. See you then…

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