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 frameworks on the market to help foster success. 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 framework, 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 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.

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Related posts:

1. 5 Important Benefits of Time Management for Students.
2. 5 Time Wasters Related to Self-Management.
3. 5 Time Wasters related to Planning (and a Poll)

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. Time management is important for students 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.

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, you’re going to find the going tough. If you’re a good manager of time when in college, this habit helps you when you enter the working world, both in gaining employment and in retaining it.

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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Related posts:

1. The Benefits of Taking an Online Degree.
2. A Glimpse into 3 Time Management Frameworks
3. 5 Time Wasters Related to Self-Management.

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 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.  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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Related posts:

1. 5 Time Wasters Related to Self-Management.
2. 5 Essential Goal Evaluation Questions
3. Assume nothing!

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. 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.
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…

Please subscribe to my blog using the RSS link or email updates and follow me on Twitter.
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Related posts:

1. 5 Time Wasters related to Planning (and a Poll)
2. A Glimpse into 3 Time Management Frameworks
3. 5 Important Benefits of Time Management for Students.