We all struggle with time management but planning ahead will help. Plan to manage your time more effectively by:

• Setting goals
• Identifying priorities
• Understanding your energy cycle and when you are at your best
• Writing down a plan for the day

Our plans are always being challenged by the unexpected.

When the unexpected threatens to upset your plans, take time to consider:

• Is it urgent or non-urgent?
• Is it important or not important?

If it is urgent and important, you need to do it first.

Make sure you manage your time well by:

• Beginning with the end in mind – think about the outcome that is needed and plan how to reach that
• Handling things once…either do it now or plan a time to do it
• Doing it right the first time
• Batching similar types of work – have one trip to the Library rather than three!
• Reducing clutter…get rid of the extraneous matter
• Finishing things that you start, not leaving them semi-finished
• Trying to get a step ahead so that when the unexpected happens, you can cope

And don’t forget to factor in time for yourself – book a meeting with yourself to think, plan, go to the gym!