How to Become a Time Ninja -- Part 1

You can’t control Time
 
There is always so much to do, especially if you are an Entrepreneur or Career Professional.  At one time or another we have all had the following thought, “there is just not enough time in the day.”  We are all guilty of trying to control time. Click here for Original InfoGrpahic.
 
News Flash:  TIME CAN NOT BE CONTROLLED.  
 
Scary thought? Take a deep breath… I am here to tell you that you never have to worry about trying to control time ever again!  The first step to becoming a Time Ninja is to understand one noble truth – Tasks can be managed, time can not.
 
Unfortunately most people utilize “to-do” list to manage their tasks. The main issue with ‘to-do’ lists is the absence of structure. The trouble with most humans is that we tend to lump personal, professional & life tasks together on the same ever expanding ‘to do’ list. Since Tasks are the activities that you assign to yourself on a daily basis we must have a checks & balance system through which we screen these tasks before they get added to the list.  Goals are great rubrics through which we can measure our tasks. We should be mostly focused on completing tasks that move us close to achieving our stated goals.
 
In order to become a Time Ninja you must be able to identify and categorize your tasks based on your current goals. Here are 4 tips that will help you with get a handle on your task list:

1. Establish one overall goal for the next week. Its focus can be personal or professional, it is important however that the week’s goals is in alignment with your overall vision for your professional development, financial growth and personal balance. If you are already working towards a particular goal this quarter then use that goal to generate a micro goal for the week ahead. (not sure how to establish one goal for the week? CLICK HERE FOR the WEEKLY GOAL WORKSHEET
   
   
2.  Place 3 minutes on a timer & list all the tasks you know would help you make tangible progress towards the goal. Allow the tasks to flow, don’t judge or censor them. Write the entire time, until the buzzer sounds. Once the brainstorm is complete separate the tasks you generate into the following categories: Personal, Professional & Other.
   
   
3.  Examine the Tasks in each list. Place 30 seconds on the clock & mark the 2
    tasks in each category that will result in the most progress towards your overall goal for the week.
   
   
4. Create short list of the 6 tasks that you identified. These are the tasks you should focus on completing this week.
   
   

Give your self 20 mins & get after it…the more you practice identifying and categorizing your tasks the easier it  will be for you to prioritize in strategize in  Part 2!!
 
 
[STAY TUNED FOR PART 2 ---  How to Prioritize & Strategize]