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Time Management
Beat Work Overload. Be More Effective. Achieve More.
Bring focus to the way you work.
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This section of Mind Tools teaches you time management skills. These are the simple, practical techniques that have helped the leading people in business, sport and public service reach the pinnacles of their careers.
The 40+ skills taught here help you become highly effective, by showing you how to identify and focus on the activities that give you the greatest returns. Doing this will save you time, helping you work smarter, not harder. What's more, these same techniques help you beat work overload – a key source of stress.
Start with our short time management quiz, which helps you target the techniques that will help you most, and then explore the other articles. In particular, take a look at our prioritization and goal setting resources – these are exceptionally important.
The Browse by Category box below will help you find specific skills, and you can skim through the list below to find useful topics. Enjoy them!
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10 Common Time Management Mistakes
Avoiding Common Pitfalls
Activity Logs
Finding More Time in Your Day
Prioritized To Do Lists
Taking Control of Your Time
Action Programs
Becoming Exceptionally Well Organized
Allen's Input Processing Technique
Managing Your Workflow Effectively
Valuing Your Time
Finding Out How Much Your Time Is Worth
Multitasking
Can It Help You Get More Done?
Leverage
Achieving Much More With the Same Effort
How to Be Organized
Taking Control of Your Day
The Art of Filing
Managing Your Documents... and Your Time
Managing Electronic Files
Efficient File Management
Managing Email Effectively
Strategies for Taming Your Inbox
Prioritization
Prioritization
Making Best Use of Your Time and Resources
The Urgent/Important Matrix
Using Time Effectively, Not Just Efficiently
The Action Priority Matrix
Making the Very Most of Your Opportunities
Managing Conflicting Priorities
Keeping People Satisfied
Scheduling
Effective Scheduling
Planning to Make the Best Use of Your Time
The Pickle Jar Theory
Make Your Schedule Work. Leave Time for Fun!
Is This a "Morning" Task?
Scheduling Important Activities for the Right Time of Day
Time Management Challenges
Managing Interruptions
Maintain Focus. Keep Control of Your Time.
Dealing with Lateness
Solving Punctuality Problems
Organizing Disorganized People
Motivating Your Team to Change
Minimizing Distractions
Managing Your Work Environment
The Art of Concise Conversations
Stick to the Point – Humanely
Creating Time in Your Day
Maximizing a Busy Schedule
Concentration and Focus
Improve Your Concentration
Achieving Focus Amid Distractions
In Flow
Maximizing Productivity Through Improved Focus
The Flow Model
Balancing Challenge and Skills
Working from Home
Staying Focused Amid Distractions
Energizing Yourself
Powering Through Your Day
Goal Setting
Personal Goal Setting
Planning to Live Your Life Your Way
Eight Common Goal Setting Mistakes
Achieving Your Dreams the Right Way
Locke's Goal Setting Theory
Understanding SMART Goal Setting
Backward Goal-Setting
Using Backward Planning to Set Goals
Golden Rules of Goal Setting
Five Rules to Set Yourself Up for Success
Personal Mission Statements
Defining Your Goals
Visualization
Imagining – and Achieving – Your Goals
Treasure Mapping
Visualizing Your Goal for Greater Achievement
New Year’s Resolutions
Planning for a Year of Achievement
Self-Motivation
How Self-Motivated Are You?
Taking Charge of Your Goals and Achievements
Motivating Yourself
Practical Tools and Strategies
Overcoming Procrastination
Manage Your Time. Get It All Done.
Self-Discipline
Developing the Persistence You Need to Achieve Goals
Self-Determination Theory
Enhancing Self-Motivation by Meeting Basic Needs
Breaking Bad Habits
Overcoming Negative Behaviors
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