Time Management Skills

Time management is the act or process of exercising conscious control over the amount of time spent on specific activities, especially to increase efficiency or productivity. Time management will make us more efficient in everything we do

Below is a list of some time management (self management) techniques and tips . They are in no particular order.

• Keep a calendar/diary. Mark all your important dates/tasks.

• Keep a list of “Things to Do” and mark them off as completed.

• Every day make a list of what you have to do tomorrow.

• When possible do the unpleasant tasks first.

• Figure out when (what time of the day?) you work most efficiently.

• Establish your priorities for what you want to get done. Identify the tasks and activities that are the highest priority and eliminate those of low priority.

 

• Allow more time than you think you will need. This makes your schedule flexible and allows for the unexpected.

• Get into the habit of using your odd five minutes here and there more productively. Don’t just dismiss it as only five minutes – they add up throughout the week!

• Accomplish one or two important tasks rather than lots unimportant ones.

• Tidiness makes your life easier and reduces stress.

• Allow time to relax, recharge and do nothing.

• Leave time in your schedule for un-planned activities.

• Know your strengths, skills and weakness.

• Ask yourself, “What am I doing that someone else could do for me?” Delegate!

• Don’t be scared to ask for help

• Bin things straight away to reduce the clutter (junk mail, newspapers and spam email etc).

• Divide large overwhelming tasks into smaller chunks, and attack them one at a time.

• Complete at least one task each day that you don’t like to do, but know you should.

• Watch less T.V. If you watch T.V for three hours a day from the age of five years old, by the time you are fifty five the amount of T.V you will have watched will be the equivalent to watching non-stop 24 hours a day for six years and three months. If you cut this down by just one hour a day, so then only watch two hours of T.V, you will have gained back over two years worth of time.

• Realize that all your email checking, surfing the internet and other procrastinations add up to hours of lost time each week (sometime even each day!) 

Don't let the pain of one season destroy the joy of all the rest.

Don't judge life by one difficult season.

Persevere through the difficult patches

and better times are sure to come some time or later.

"Life is not about waiting for the storms to pass...it's about learning how to dance in the rain."

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10 ways to deal with childish boss behavior

Do you sometimes feel that your boss acts like a stubborn, demanding, or needy child? Well, you're not alone. According to Lynn Taylor, workplace expert and author of "Tame Your Terrible Office Tyrant (TOT): How to Manage Childish Boss Behavior and Thrive in Your Job," such behavior has recently become more prevalent. She says that workplace stress and high unemployment have put bad bosses into overdrive, although bosses can exhibit bad behavior in any economy.

Here are some of Taylor's tips for dealing with terrible office tyrants (or "TOTs," as she abbreviates them) to keep your sanity, and your job.

1. Communicate

Communicate frequently, openly, and honestly. Savvy "TOT-tamers" (and parents, for that matter) take the initiative to establish an open dialog. At work, constantly staying aligned with your boss's objectives keeps your work on target. You also avoid false reads on bad boss behavior that may seem aimed at you, when it likely relates to other factors.

2. Anticipate

Be alert for problems and prepared with sound solutions. By having answers to emerging issues, and not adding to your boss's pressures, you avoid triggering "bratty" behavior. Your "TOT" wants to delegate as much as possible - as long as you make the process worry-free. An extra benefit is that you'll become more indispensable.

3. Laugh

Use humor, what Taylor calls "the great diffuser" of tension when communications break down - and patience runs low. A lighthearted comment can quickly melt away these barriers. Levity is a common bond we share, just as is the need to build something great together while having some fun. Take the initiative to do this and watch the seething (and teething) simmer.

4. Manage up

Let yourself shine by being a proactive problem-solver and collaborator. These attributes will help make you the master of your own career. Part of taking control of your job involves managing your interactions with your boss - so you can achieve what you want.

5. Know your timing

Timing can certainly mean everything, as with a child or "TOT." Learn the best times of day to approach your boss, and study his or her patterns, mood swings, hot buttons, and plan your interactions accordingly. It can make the difference between a pleasant "yes" and an irrevocable "no!"

6. Be a role model

Project the highest ethical standards and radiate positive energy. Maintain a balanced demeanor and approach each crisis (real or imagined) with a rational style.

7. Set limits

Let bosses know privately when they've gone over the line, but do it diplomatically. Keep the conversation focused on your work product. If your superior is intentionally malicious and attacking, that's another matter that requires more serious action. If, after repeated efforts for cooperation (such as with a bully boss and unsupportive management), you may be best off looking elsewhere. You have to determine how much strife you can handle.

8. Maintain focus

Many tyrant bosses have taken ADD to a new level... called BADD (Boss Attention Deficit Disorder), which is like multitasking on steroids. They're unable to focus on important tasks at hand, allowing e-mails, text messages, phones, and people to interrupt their (and your) flow. Encourage him or her to document objectives and agree on mutual goals on a regular basis. Be sure to follow up. Have an agenda prepared before meetings. By being vigilant and "managing up" to help your boss reconnect with priorities, you'll increase your career currency significantly.

9. Don't fight fire with fire

If your "TOT" is tantrum or bully-prone, mirroring back their childish behavior is a downward spiral. Avoid the temptation to win the battle and lose the war (and your job!). A better strategy is to calmly and concisely tell your boss how his or her actions affected you. Keep a matter-of-fact tone and be factual. Use "I" statements rather than "you" to avoid an accusatory attitude.

10. Reward good behavior

When bosses set aside their worst "TOT" traits, respond with gratitude and comment on how it inspires you to do your best. Positive and negative reinforcement is a powerful tool to foster better behavior. Over time, your boss will connect the better behavior with increased morale and productivity. Remember, if there's something in it for your boss, you will see change.

http://www.boston.com/jobs/galleries/officetyrant/

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Care Your People - "Achieve Amazing Results"![Author - Mr.Shamim Rafeek]

Another year has passed by. While looking back, I am glad that I could deliver lot of lectures and do training for several corporates, small businesses, nonprofit institutions, social organizations, service clubs, schools & colleges.

When I reflect these experiences, one of the things that strikes me is the amount of confusion that surrounds the act of caring about others. While most people quickly admit that caring about others is a good thing to do, they fail to appreciate two very important aspects of caring : how huge the return is that comes back to us from caring and how quickly our personal and professional lives can change for the better once we start.

I believe our success depends on the support of other people. The only hurdle between us and what we want to be is the support of others. A person is not pulled up to a higher level job. Rather he or she is lifted up. We are lifted to higher levels by those who know us as likeable, personable individuals.

If caring can energize us and our work place, let me share with you some simple steps that will show us how to maximize the return that comes back to us from caring.

1) Master your Emotions : Even the best leaders have personal problems at one time or another. In those situations, the most effective leaders reach down inside themselves to find the strength to keep their emotions in check, especially at work.

2) Listen to your Inner Voice : When you share your dreams and goals with those close to you- a change of career, starting a new business, going back to school- you're very likely to hear a negative response. Don't let others rain on your parade- instead, go for it!

3) Engage with Attitude : Have you ever heard the phrase, “Attitude is everything”? Take it to heart, for there’s no such thing as an effective leader with a bad attitude. The best way to engage people is with your attitude, enthusiasm, and excitement.

4) The Power of Positive Action : Don't be nice to people just because you want something from them. Be positive just to be positive, and watch how your life changes for better.

5) Sincere Appreciation gets Results : One of the deepest needs of our human existence is the need to be appreciated. Each and every one of us absolutely loves to be appreciated for who we are and what we do.

6) Get others to go Extra Mile : To really energize those around you, you need to not only take a sincere interest in them and what they do, but also blow them away by doing something incredible and unexpected

7) Excitement is Contagious : So is passion. If you're fired up about what you do, chances are that those around you will be, too!

8) Engage People by Involving Everyone : The key is making sure that everyone has a voice in making suggestions on how things can be improved.

9) Leave a Trail of Gratitude : When people really hit one out of the part for you, or even if they do something simple but well –meaning, find a sincere way to express your appreciation.

10) Give Credit to Others : The best leaders are confident enough to give credit to others when things go right-and to take the blame when things go wrong.

11) Turn Enemies into Allies : The workplace is too small a place for you to have enemies. They can only sidetrack you from important things. If someone seems to have an axe to grind, find a way to engage that individual informally to find out the problem.

12) Celebrate your Success : When you achieve something that is important to you, make sure you don't let the moment pass without celebrating. It recharges your batteries!

Caring energizes everyone around us. When we open up and really care about people, we make them feel really good about themselves. This releases the reservoir of positive energy that resides in all of us. Let me assure you, if we can put the above universal principles into practice, our success at work will immediately begin to skyrocket and our personal life will thrive as never before.

Ready to energize every one ? Let me warn you, it may cause extreme enthusiasm and lead to real result in the workplace !!!

--

“I am not afraid of tomorrow,

for I have seen yesterday

and

I love today.”

-William Allen White

HAVE A GREAT DAY N KEEP SMILING

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7 Tips to be Success in Career

All would want to succeed by reaching the top rung of each profession, but why sometimes impeded his journey? Find out the answers and learn the tricks. Too seriously devote more attention to those who excel or have the X factor that causes others are more advanced will make us frustrated and considers this area of work that was involved it was impossible to give a success.

Leave that kind of thinking because it has the following seven skills will take us up the top of the career ladder.

1. Good Speaker

The ability to speak with diverse individuals is an absolute demand for success.

For example, in a friendly eye contact, a rich vocabulary and the ability to customize the language we use with the speaker also hold the role.

So, practice talking courteously with whoever we meet in daily life or join a discussion group to hone debating skills.

Rewards are we going to get is more proficient in a variety of social situations, excellent build a network’s success, helped in working in a private group.

2. No wishy-washy

A good leader has a firm attitude and always shows this attitude every time he was faced with the problem that requires it to make a decision.

Whatever decision is made it will cause the pros and cons. But remember, the decision making process will bring us closer to the ability to complete a given challenge. The key, make sure that the decisions we take are carefully considered and there is a reason that accompany it.

3. Accountability

Another important part in achieving success is the willingness to accept responsibility, whether successful or failed. If this is done, we are considered ready to accept greater responsibility and reap respect from colleagues because of humility possessed.

In order to minimize mistakes, taking into account all possibilities and immediately take appropriate steps to correct the mistakes we did.

4. Stay Positive

By treating the positive outlook, we would likely spur other people to share their positive attitude so that might be more productive and more reliable for executive positions.

A positive attitude is really easy and formed our own, by emphasizing the positive things in every situation. Essentially, do not see a problem, but look at the way out.

5. Self Presentation

Learning how to express themselves on the tips is very important.

For instance, neatly-dressed gives a successful image in the eyes of other people before we say a word. No need expensive, but clothes with high standards of quality seam indicates that in many ways even we have high standards and this is what makes other people perceive us amazed. How much we give strong influence on colleagues, boss or client will see how well we perform in their eyes. Has an elegant style to support our success is not something bad, really. Do not forget, the appearance will enhance what we feel about ourselves that will ultimately make us more confident.

6. Manage Time

The inability to organize will make us a mess so that the achievement of targets set under.

To overcome it, learn to write everything in detail so that allows us to make sure everything is done according to the availability of time there. The result, we have a better quality of work and do not be surprised if in the future we will be entrusted with the responsibility of continuing to increase.

Ability to manage time does not mean we have no spare time for yourself, you know. This is precisely the key factor in our success compares doing everything in a timely and better quality. Do not procrastinate, set your goals challenging but realistic, and take advantage of time as efficiently as possible.

7. Detecting Solutions

Roots of success of business leaders is the ability to find solutions to big problems. This capability is not immediately obvious but must be shown to others.

If we and our colleagues in such a division has been disciplined, there’s no harm in always finding out what is most a problem.

Is it a lack of communication among staff, conflicts surrounding the rights of each employee, technical problems, or difficulty accessing the information. Find and then act. Do not be afraid of extra work if it intends to find a solution. Remember, the person who eagerly challenged to handle the hurdles instead. Essentially, do not be limited to content on a routine.

Source: brookelyn.org

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