Many people associate successful people with good time management, much of that success is attributed to the statement “doing the right thing, at the right time”. People often say that successful people are blessed with money and resources, yet they did not start out like this. While most successful business people have personal assistants and secretaries, the reason that they are successful is precisely derived from the statement above. They are doing the right thing at the right time. They have clarity on how to prioritise and focus on the important tasks. Many of these successful people are highly disciplined and organised or else they surround themselves with people who are. They know the basic principles to time management and succeed.
Fire fighting
From personal experience I worked over 15 years as an operations manager. The demands of managing a business that had limited financial resources proved extremely challenging. This was coupled with the demands to juggle career with the other aspects of his life including: family, education, community and social life. My life was hectic, I was constantly fire fighting. I felt I had no choices and was getting stressed which led to health problems. This experience led me to take a different approach to how he managed his time and ultimately to benefit from the changes that resulted.
On a professional basis as a business coach, I often hear the phrases
- If only I had two of me
- If there was 8 days a week
- Not enough hours in the day
- I need a holiday badly
Lately a lot of people have found themselves to be cash poor and time poor. While some people who are deemed successful can have a poor work life balance. Today the demands on people are greater than ever. There is more and more emphasis to take responsibility for your health and well-being.
Time for a change
What would you do with your spare time?
- Would you take the time to listen to customers
- Use the time wisely to get clarity on what direction to take your business
- Improve your working relationships and become more effective with your team, clients and suppliers
If you were to receive six weeks free each year, what would you spend your time on?
- Increase your sales?
- Plan ahead to avoid bottle necks?
- Take a trip away with the family?
- Spend time on relationships: Family, Friends, Employees, Clients, Suppliers?
Is it impossible to achieve six working weeks a year. You may change your mind when I let you know how it can be done. Imagine you were to save one hour each day of your working week, do that for 50 weeks of the year and you have got yourself enough hours for 6 weeks of your 39 hour week. That achievable and below are some benefits
The benefits to you and your business would be:
- More energy and improved well being – the more healthy you are the healthier you’re business will be.
- Improved productivity – if you are more productive your business will be too, get more work done in less time.
- Improved relationships – spend more time with customers, find more opportunities to do business, find the right balance with your suppliers, get time to motivate your team
- Improved business performance – have time to think about solutions to challenges
- Clarity – be in a position to know exactly what you want, and be open to opportunities that arise
- Improved decision making –calm thoughtful decisions based on what is right for you.
- Focus and planning –know what is important, prioritise accordingly
- A sense of achievement and fulfilment
So what needs to change?
It`s your time own it, be accountable for it and mostly importantly own your time. Learning the basic principles of time management is crucial to coping with the demands of professional life in today’s economic climate. Start by tracking your time, keep a diary and wear a watch. Much like an accountant monitors cash flow, or a person who wishes to lose weight uses a weighing scales; I would recommend that people keep a diary to monitor how they spend their time. Everyday ask yourself the question “What will I do today that will improve my future”. The responsibility of time management lies in your hands. You have to decide what is the right thing to do at the right time.
Return on Investment -There is an easier way
William of YellowWood encourages people to take a different path with his unique approach which is interactive and engaging. “This is not your typical training course, it is designed to keep you active and engaged while ensuring that you implement the changes required to manage your time”. Each participant will each receive a handbook which includes resources, interactive exercises and notes on how to implement course training. Continuous professional development points are also available to professionals who are focused on their personal development.
The course is being run nationwide due to demand and is open to professionals who are high achieving, proactive and results focused.
Course Outline: Basic Time Management principles, Work Life Balance ,Motivation, Goal Setting, Prioritising, Organisation Skills, Working Styles, Planning/Scheduling, Dealing with others and Time Management Tools and Resources
Course includes: Complimentary lunch with tea/ coffee in the morning and afternoon
Course details: Salthill Hotel, 9am-5pm, Monday Oct 3rd 2011
For bookings: Telephone 091-739676 or email [email protected]
