Time management

My boss sent an article "Don't have time to read this? Read this" so I read it and thought, hey, I probably should have been doing something else instead of reading this! The article talked about three methods for time management.

Getting Things Done: Uses a weekly "mind sweep." Write down all the stuff I should be doing, want to do or dream of doing. Sort it all and create new files, action lists, calendar items or reminders based on what is needed next.

Pomodoro technique: Uses a tomato-shaped timer. Start each day by making a log of things to do, then tackle each in 25-minute intervals called Pomodoros. When a Pomodoro is over, mark an X on the log next to the item being worked on, then take a refreshing 3- to 5-minute break. Nothing must be allowed to interrupt a Pomodoro.

FranklinCovey's Focus: Recommends "sharpening the saw," a metaphor for setting aside time to take care of your health so you can work (and play) with more vigor. Uses a four-quadrant "time matrix," helps users distinguish among tasks based upon whether they are truly urgent and important; important but not urgent; urgent but not important; or neither. Focus aims to break users' "urgency addiction," the habit of rushing around needlessly.

Many commentators and the author felt that a combination of techniques will work as it depends on what works for each person.

Comments:

Make three priorities each day that have to be accomplished. (I use this idea!)

Check out http://www.flylady.com for a decluttering version of the Pomodoro technique. (I have the flylady timer and really like a lot of the flylady information. The emails were overwhelming though!)

And a few websites to check out:

http://www.getorganizedwizard.com/
http://orgmode.org/
To complain about a shortage of time is like a fish in the sea complaining that it has a shortage of water. http://www.markforster.net/do-it-tomorrow/