Take Control of Your Schedule

"My schedule is crazy, my workload heavy, and the demands of my job and family unrelenting. I am doing everything I can to just stay above water and not drown."

Sound familiar? Is it true for you or your employees? What are you doing about it?

"I keep doing it - I just need to get through the next few weeks and then things will slow down."
or
"Some things just are not getting done - there's no way I can keep up."

If the craziness is no longer working for you and you are looking to regain some control of your schedule here are some tips to help.

It is impossible to manage your time if you don't know how you are spending this limited resource. Start by assessing your time utilization.

1. For the next week document how you spend your time. Write down all of your activities and the time committed to each. Include everything - scheduled and unscheduled events, commuting, meals, e-mail, TV, conversations at the coffee pot, etc.

2. After completing your documentation ask yourself the following questions
a. What did you actually spend your time doing?
b. On what did you anticipate/ expect to be spending your time?
c. How do you feel about how you are actually spending your time?
d. What action will you take from what you observed?

Now that you have a good handle on what's filling your schedule let's look at habits you can develop to help you regain control of your time.

1. Sitting on e-mail is a huge time waster. Build blocks of time into your schedule to read and respond to e-mail. If you have a handheld device first respond to a message by asking yourself "is this urgent or could it wait until later?" Chances are it can wait.

2. Do you have an assistant? This person can be your right hand and a key to your success. Learn to ask for help and cultivate a good working relationship with your assistant.

3. Take care of yourself. Having control of your time takes energy and stamina. Pay attention to what you are eating. Have breakfast at home and resist that pastry at the morning meeting. Get away from your desk even if you only walk to the bathroom or kitchen to wash your hands. Better still go outside for a walk around the block.

4. Develop a routine. Get up and go to bed at the same time. Arrive to and leave work at the same time. Schedule coffee with colleagues. Schedule dinner with you family. When developing a routine look for balance between rigid and flexible. Sticking to a routine requires discipline but it can also be taken too far.

It all makes sense and seems easy enough yet taking control of your schedule is going to require time and effort. This investment is worth it if you are truly tired of the craziness. The pace of business will continue to increase. Take control of your time right now and develop the habits that will support your success today and in the fast paced days to come.