“Time is an illusion” or so Einstein is reputed to have said. But while the ability to travel in time and make use of the space-time continuum would be handy (from time to time), what we really want from “time-management” is  to get the most from our most important resource – ourselves!

It all boils down to three things;

• Clearly defined goals – What are the main areas that you need to achieve outcomes and how will you know whether you’re achieving them , whether they are in relation to work or business, personal, education, leisure?  For example, we might have a list of goals to be achieved this year that includes (in no particular order) developing a new product, redecorating the spare room, pitching to a new client, completing your MBA and coaching the kids football team to the county final… maybe you’ve never written these down – if you haven’t then you may not realise just how much you’re committing to, and may run the risk of not completing all or even any of them. Do it – write them down!

• Focused Priorities – look at your goal list and prioritise them; you could perhaps number them, or group them into the ones that have to be completed by specific dates, and then prioritise the others according to urgency (how soon its needed) and importance (how much it contributes to achieving YOUR goal).  “Goals are simply tools to focus your energy in positive directions; these can be changed as your priorities change – new ones added, other ones dropped” Unknown.

• Commit your resources– for each goal you need to work on, allocate an amount of time each day / week / month to progress the goal. Maybe you can set up a regular routine each day that makes best use of your natural clock – depending on whether you’re a morning person or not. Review progress towards the goal on at least a weekly basis – if your plan isn’t working, then change it or change the goals.

The key to success with this approach is getting clarity about ALL the things (not just the work things) that you want to achieve – we often overcommit ourselves without realising how it happened. Challenge yourself, but be realistic. Review your priorities regularly, because they will change regularly. The purpose of the plan is to help you achieve the goals you want to achieve, and we need to be able to adapt to the changing business environment and life around us – not sticking to the plan just for the sake of it.

“Time is a great teacher but, unfortunately, it kills all its pupils” Hector Berlioz

Liz Barron, Realize Coaching – helping you to realize your professional & personal goals – www.realize.ie