So I know too many writers who make excuses.
There! I've said it!
People have told me they are in awe of how I find time to write and how effectively I mind my time. Well, it takes work. Solid, hard work. And time management. Ouch! People don't want to hear that horrible phrase. Time management is difficult, no matter what your line of work.
Which brings me to the topic of today's blog: time management.
Whether your schedule is mandated by someone else or yourself, stick to it. Time management is not a genius thing. It is difficult and it, well, it takes some time. Goodness knows I see many people fail at time management. Organization is key, but so is good old-fashioned "stick to-it-iveness." (Is that even a word?)
If you create or follow a schedule, you have to always do it. If you use a calendar, your phone, or another method of listing appointments, use it daily or several times a day! No one can remember everything. I obsessively write down reminders as appointments, just so I don't forget anything.
Honing my time management has not only helped me with my writing, but with all kinds of work and personal responsibility.
Here are some tips to create your own effective time management process:
1. Write everything down. Some people don't like to write. Then just jot down little phrases to help you. For example, store, milk, cereal. Or staff meeting, weekly. Use whatever works for you: a phone, a tablet, an old-fashioned piece of paper. Just use that same thing for everything so you can stay organized. It's not good to search down 10 items for 18 different reminders.
2. Write reminders and appointments down as soon as you receive them. I annoy my doctors' office assistants because I stand there and put my appointments in my phone. That little business card they give you with appointments will likely end up at the bottom of your purse or pocket, and in the wash sooner or later. Oops! Missed appointments sometimes cost money!
3. Check your calendar several times a day. If you review your calendar the night before, that's great, but re-check it when you awaken, and again several more times throughout the day. After all, you might have added pesky little reminders if you followed my lead! See number four, below.
4. Update your calendar as soon as you receive changes. If you don't you will likely die of embarrassment when attending a meeting that was changed. Well, you might not die, but someone will think you are disorganized.
5. Remember to bring your calendar with you wherever you go. Because you won't just add reminders while sitting in your office or kitchen table. Your reminders might include a shopping list you want to create on your lunch hour or while on your morning commute. What happens when you show up at the grocery store and buy everything but the milk?
6. Ask for advice if you are disorganized. No one is perfect. I had a supervisor once tell me I was not organized. Well, I beg to differ, but that is what she observed. So I worked on my skill. So should you, even if you are great at time management. There is always room for improvement.
7. Have someone do the updates for you if you are incapacitated. We all get sick, forget things or end up in the hospital at one time or another. Count on someone who can assist you in time of need.
8. Don't stop writing things down just because you are on vacation. My calendar includes not only business appointments but reminders, lists, and ideas. My mind does not go on vacation when my body does (unfortunately!) And as a writer, I want to remember things to write about.
9. Teach your children well. Their parents tell. Just kidding. But not really. Appointments, lists, ideas and reminders are not just for the working folks. Teach your children about calendar use young and they won't end up like my son. (Goodness knows, I tried!) Remind them everyone needs to use a calendar; it does not mean they are losers or failures. No one can remember everything.
10. Use whatever reminder method works best for you, consistently. If you don't like your phone, use a notebook. If you don't like notebooks because of the bulk or you love technology, use your laptop or tablet. Use that same program, same method each and every time. If you can synchronize your devices, even better! So you should only have to enter each item once if you sync. If you use your Outlook calendar on your work computer, try incorporating it into your personal phone. If it is not allowed due to security, put those appointments on your personal phone manually. Just do it. You want to save the embarrassment of a missed meeting.
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