Although there is no one size that fits all solution, Carthage Buckley, on Coaching Positive Performance, lists 7 steps that can help each of us improving our time management and the quality of our results.
1. Become aware : if you want to create real and last change you need to understand exactly where your time is going
2. Analyse your data: collect the time and the percentage of time spent on each activity and consider the results, are you happy about that?
3. Identify tasks which are not necessary: very often a task is being performed for no other reason than it has always been done
4. Identify the tasks that can be automated
5. Identify the tasks that can be delegated or outsourced: if you work alone and you have nobody to delegate to, consider the possibility of outsourcing
6. Make gradual changes: Pick 2-3 small changes that can have a positive impact on your time management
7. Right task, right time: examine your energy levels and make the best use of them. Assign your most important tasks to periods of highest energy
For more: How to improve your time management quickly
Salvador Dalì – The persistence of memory, 1931
Very good, concise post!
I’m very much into point 2 : “Analyse your data: collect the time and the percentage of time spent on each activity and consider the results”. Are you using any app for measuring time of activities? I suggest you to check this: http://www.timecamp.com . It’s great facilitation in managing time.