The Keepers of Time

I give presentations on organizational skill building as it relates to paper, time, and computer file management. It seems that we all have too much paper, not enough time, and more than enough information stored in our computers if we could just find it!

Part of my job is to help identify the challenges an employee or organization is facing and suggest solutions. Over the course of time I have found that most individuals are simply unaware of the basics of paper and time management. It's not necessary to know all existing time management theories, but it is important to know the basics.

Appointment books and calendars are two tools that help guide you through your activities and commitments. Here are three basic steps you can take to use these tools more effectively.

Select a user-friendly appointment book

The selection of a type of appointment book and calendar is usually a matter of personal preference. Appointment books or planners come in several different formats and vary in size vary from ones that fit in a pocket to ones that fit in a briefcase. If you use electronics to manage your time that's great. If it's not your style, refrain from buying expensive handheld devices. You'll save time and money by being honest with yourself.

Maintain one and only one appointment book

I frequently find clients trying to maintain multiple appointment books or using scraps of paper as their time management tool. The result is double and triple bookings or completely missed appointments. Using one appointment book will cut down on conflicts and create a less-anxious environment. You can store calendars in several places, but maintain only one appointment book.

Take your appointment book with you?always

Most of us rarely leave the house without our keys and wallet. But I find many people who leave their appointment book behind. When this happens, appointments and commitments are made on whatever is available including napkins and a variety of other things that become misplaced or lost. This not only results in a precious loss of time but is unproductive and stressful as well.

Be prepared and less stressed by sticking to these basic tools and steps when building your time management skills.

Copyright 2005 Cynthia Kyriazis. All rights reserved.

Cynthia Kyriazis is an organizing and time management consultant, trainer, speaker, coach and author with over 20 years management experience in multi-unit corporations. Organize it, a division of Productivity Partners, Inc. is an organizational training firm she founded in 1995 and has been serving Fortune 500 clients ever since. Cynthia works with business and their employees to help improve performance and realize productivity gains.

Cynthia has appeared in the Philadelphia Inquirer, Kansas City Star and the Legal Intelligencer. She currently serves as Secretary on the Board of Directors for the National Association of Professional Organizers (NAPO), member of the National Speakers Association (NSA), member of the Kansas City of the International Society for Performance Improvement ? (ISPI-KC) and consultant to the American Coaching Association.

---

Emergency Living

There are times, when I am driving in my car... Read More

How Are You Viewing Your Time?

In working with and coaching people across the country, one... Read More

Work Smarter Not Harder

To work smarter all you need is the consciousness of... Read More

Time Management For Home Business Owners

As each day passes, and more and more things need... Read More

What is ?Life Balance? and How Can You Attain It?

We all face decisions that involve doing things that affect... Read More

Are You Really Swamped or Just Disorganized

"Time is what we need the most and what we... Read More

Everythings Blurry Except For You

Riding the subway home yesterday, my typically silent car was... Read More

Do You Put a Value on Your Time?

As a small business owner, does the following paragraph sound... Read More

Managing Worry: Productivity Tips for High Achievers Who Worry

Are you a worrier? Do you frequently spend time and... Read More

Time Mastery vs. Time Management - Knowing the Difference

How much time do you spend on Mastering Your Time?... Read More

Desktop Management Boosts Productivity

Many of us spend long hours at our desk. To... Read More

Work at Home Moms: Time Management Tips

"How do you DO it?!" If I had a dime... Read More

More Precious Than Gold

In this world there is something more precious than gold.... Read More

Time Management Tips for Busy Moms

If you are like most moms I know you think... Read More

9 Proven Principles for Increasing Productivity, Profit and Peace of Mind

Do you feel guilty about all the publications you purchase... Read More

Avoid 7 Time and Life-Robbing Mistakes and See Your Productivity Soar

41 practical and quick ways to get on top of... Read More

Self Improvement and Prioritising

The ability to be able to set priorities and deal... Read More

Time Management Lessons from a 3 Year Old

Zak is my three-year old godson. He is the apple... Read More

How To Better Handle Your Mail

Letters, magazines, bills, flyers, what to do with them all.... Read More

The WIT to WIN

What are the most important things you should accomplish today?... Read More

Taking Time Off For Your Business

As a business owner, wouldn't it be great if you... Read More

How Do You Start Your Day

"Sunshine is delicious, rain is refreshing, wind braces up, snow... Read More

Have You Got a Minute?

Such an innocuous little phrase, yet when you are hard... Read More

How A Simple Four-Letter List Can Make or Break Your Business

One of the biggest problems most people have when it... Read More

Tips to Save One Hour Per Day

At Home? Keep related items together, for example the coffee... Read More

Talkin About Chicken

Yesterday, I'd just gotten comfortable at my favorite table in... Read More

A Time-Saving Programming Tactic that Doesn?t Work

Let's say that you have a software project that's under... Read More

Time Managements

There are the golden rules that apply to time. If... Read More

Freelance Productivity: Do One Thing Extra Each Day

This may not sound like a big deal. But it's... Read More

Time Management - Keeping a Clean Desk

I have worked with so many people over the years... Read More

What to Do When Your Alarm Clock Doesn?t Wake You Up

Tring ? Tring the alarm rings?but did you fail to... Read More

31 Ways to Get An Extra Hour Out of Each Day

How can you get an extra hour out of each... Read More

Low Tech Time Management

A simple kitchen gadget is transforming my life. I don't... Read More