Gregory Harris

Handling your tasks effectively is the first step for time management. There are plenty of choices for task management software on the Internet.

Of course, at the most basic level, all you need to manage your task is a pen and paper to put down your tasks. But task manager software makes the job faster and easier.

Following 4 software can better your time management by offering more functions than paper-based system.

Mylife organized

Mylife organized is based on getting things done (GTD) system. The software allows you to make a list of next actions and categorize them on the basis of GTD criteria like context, importance and so on. It follow the principle of GTD to the letter but somehow doesn’t feel easy to use. In my opinion, Vitalist (below) looks more successful in embodying the GTD system.

However, If you seriously follow GTD, take a look at the software because it seems to be rated favorably by many users.

Abstractspoon ToDoList

Mylife organized costs 45 dollars. ToDoList is more price competitive. It’s FREE. But don’t be deceived by its price, the software is way better than ordinary commercial software.

ToDoList has several good features that cannot easily found in commercial programs. The interface is intuitive. It supports hierarchical data. It can have numbered items and sub-items. It allows open file format such as xml and txt.

You can make as many lists as you want with ToDoList. You can add tasks and sub-tasks in the list. Each task has a pane in which you can write memo in rtf or txt. This is very useful because you can include various information for each task like memo, websites, and contacts.

Rememberthemilk

To answer this question simply, one could say that time management is a process by which one consciously keeps track of the amount of time they spend on each of their activities, in an effort to increase efficiency when it comes to usage of time. Below, you will find some of the basic concepts that are associated with time management of any kind.

Who needs it?

This is a very subjective question and one will need to analyze their needs very carefully. If you think you are lagging behind in a group of similar work professionals who produce significantly larger outputs than you, you might be in need of time management. You might also need time management if your productivity levels have dipped, when compared to your own productivity levels in the past. You might also need time management if your work causes an extreme amount of stress and anxiety.

For example, some workers might simply be overloaded with too much work. For such workers, no amount of management will help them finish their tasks. Time management is a concept that will allow one to use time more efficiently, not create more time. There will always only be 24 hours in a day, no matter how tediously a work day is planned.

What are some techniques in use today?

Time management, as mentioned earlier, will vary from person to person. Some will simply need to analyze their workday and eliminate some activities while some will need to do an in depth analysis of each of their activities, to see where processes could be improved. Time management may also involve the use of tools and software such as alarms, scheduling software, calendars, to do lists and so on.

I’m not sure if any of you ever watched the show “Heroes” when it was airing but I absolutely fell in love with the character Hiro Nakamura. All the characters found that they were developing special abilities like super heroes and Hiro’s ability was that he was able to control time and teleport.

I have good news for you today!

You also have the ability to control time (well… your perception of time) and I’m going to share my secret with you.

Have you ever had those days when time just flew by and you looked up at the clock and realized that work was almost over? Don’t you just love that feeling?

There’s a really easy formula for making that happen for yourself during every single work day!

I know it sounds really crazy and you may be sitting there thinking – “Ya, right this guy is a total kook”, but by putting this short visualization activity in practice you can really change your perception of time throughout your day.

I usually do this when I’m driving to work, but you can take your time and do it before you leave or even in your office or car.

Imagine yourself going about your day doing everything you might do in a normal day of work, but see yourself doing it in very slow motion.

Next, imagine everyone else moving around you in fast forward like on a video tape sped up super fast.

There are just a couple distinctions I would like to point out also.

First, make sure that the picture you are imagining is in first person view, watching your slow motion actions as if you were looking out from your own eyes (like Wolfenstein 3D).

There is never enough time in the day. Everyone has experienced the feeling of having more things to do than there is time for. Most people try their best to “make” or “find” time to get things done. The real key isn’t to hope to pull extra time out of nowhere, but to learn to use the time you do have more effectively. Effective time management can be the key to success and a life with less stress. Try out some of these great time management tips and finally have a way to get those errands done and still have some time to relax.

1. The To-Do list. This is one of the most essential tools in time management. The best to-do list is one that is written or typed rather than in your head. The best time to make a to-do list is in the evening after your work for the day is done so you can start your day ready to go in the morning. List everything you need to get done, both big and small. Now, take all of those tasks and break the biggest tasks into smaller tasks. Next is to prioritize them. Be honest when you do this. Figure out what you need to get done and put those higher on the list than what you want to get done.

2. Use a calender. Keep track of important deadlines, meetings, and holidays. Keep a visual calender at arm’s reach. This does wonders for making sure you are prioritizing your to-do list properly and helping you to be sure you aren’t forgetting anything.

You sit down with your to-do list, ready to crack down and get some work done. You know what needs to get done and you are ready to do it. Well, now that you are all set up for your task, might as well check your email beforehand… answer any important emails before you start working. Look! Better answer that new email from your sister. Next thing you know you have been sitting at your computer for an hour and a half and you haven’t even started working! It is easy for these secret time suckers to leave you wondering where your day went.

Let’s look at a few different “secret time suckers” that you may not even realize are taking up a huge part of your day. Now, you may know about these and realize they are taking up a lot of time, but as you read this article, really think on how much time you spend on these distractions. Next time you sit down to work, set a timer and see how long you are actually allowing yourself to spend on these things.

First, let us take a look at email. Obviously, email is an important part of business and you don’t want to ignore your potential clients, partners, co-workers, or family, but that doesn’t mean you should be checking your email constantly. More often than not it disrupts your work if you check it too often and leads to spending much more time spent on it than expected. It is far to easy to lose an hour reading and responding to emails, clicking links within emails, and ending up surfing the web instead.