Present Time Management

Time.

We all have it. We all want more of it. Doesn't it seem like successful people always seem to have a lot of time? They work in a very focused mode, accomplishing exactly what they want to, when they want to. There's really no big secret to this, they are just managing their Present Time. Instead of calling it "Time Management", I like to call it "Present Time Management." Present Time Management involves focusing on the task at hand and refusing to be derailed by interruptions, either inte
al or exte
al.

Let's take a look at interruptions for a moment. Exte
al interrupters are the type we usually think about: the phone rings, a co-worker stops by "just for a minute," etc. Inte
al interrupters are more insidious, because they pop up in our own head and they are harder to say no to. For example, we remember an e-mail that we need to send, we decide to surf the Inte
et "just for 5 minutes," we get up for breaks, etc.

Read that paragraph again. There are two words that are crucial to stopping the interruptions that keep us from getting things done: We Decide.

Every time an interruption comes up, we decide to act on it, or continue with the work at hand. And successful people say "no" more often to the temptation of "just a minute."

Right Now
I'm sure you've heard the saying, "Yesterday is history. Tomorrow is a mystery. Today is a gift. That's why they call it "The Present." Well, nothing could be more true! The most important thing you'll ever do, is what you are doing right now.

You can't really plan what you'll be doing an hours from now; anything could happen. The only decision you can really make is what to do right this minute.

Try this: before you start something, ask this question:
"What is the best possible use of my time right now?"

While you are working, every now and then ask yourself this question:
"Is what I'm doing right now consistent with my daily goals?"

Also ask yourself this question if you find yourself getting sidetracked by an interrupter. The faster you get back on track, the more you will accomplish.

Working in the present is the best way to stay on top of your goals and become a more action-oriented, successful person. nn