We all have 24 hours everyday but how come some people get more things done in this span of time than others? Why is it that there are people who can finish all their tasks in one day while others take 2 or more days to complete them? The difference: time management.

Time is a crucial element in all that we do, but interestingly enough, not everyone knows how to manage their time wisely. Time management comprises of skills, principles, tools, and practices that will allow us to utilize our time productively. People who do not have this quality are more likely to waste much of their time doing things that do not have anything to do with their assigned tasks and responsibilities.

In order to assess how well you are at time management, ask yourself the following questions:

1. Do you forget some of the things that need to get done for the day, week, or month?
2. Do you sometimes submit projects and reports late?
3. Do you often spend a lot of time replying to emails?
4. Do you get sidetracked when accessing the Internet, doing unnecessary things instead of doing what you are supposed to do?
5. Do you think your desk is full of clutter?
6. Do you lack focus when you work?

Answering “Yes” to all or any of these questions indicates that you need to hone your time management skills more. Here are some ways to do this:

First of all, never forget to write down all your tasks for the day. Be realistic and do not write too many items otherwise it will only frustrate you later on when you find out you cannot complete all of them. It is recommended that you spend time writing down your plans and tasks for the week too, because making weekly schedules can help you effectively map out your plans. When making your list, indicate which ones are top priority and which ones you can put off until the next day, if necessary.

When setting priorities, make sure to indicate which of the things listed on your to-do list you need to prioritize on. In Stephen Covey’s Time Matrix, he highlighted the need categorize tasks according to what is urgent and important, urgent and unimportant, not urgent but important, and not urgent and not important. He said it is important to address those listed under urgent and important first, focus on the not urgent but important tasks, minimize urgent but unimportant ones, and then as much as possible, eliminate those that are neither urgent or important.

Furthermore, you need to get rid of bad habits that are considered time killers. Procrastination tops the list; such habit can really hinder you from managing your time effectively.

To make the most out of your 24 hours, you need to use your time efficiently. It is how you spend every minute of your time that will determine how productive you can be.

Time is the most powerful currency of the 21st century. And this powerful currency demands much of our attention. Unfortunately, most people never make use of this remarkable resource we have — our time. Here’s some tips to help you make the most of your time every single day:

1. Break down large tasks into smaller ones: We all know the feeling of staring at a new complicated project feeling overwhelmed and wishing we were anywhere but here. But, even complicated tasks are not impossible to handle. In fact, most tasks become unbelievably trivial once we break them down into small pieces. Get into the habit of breaking down your tasks into small ones and tackling each individual part one at a time. This will help you stay calm as well as it will help you accomplish your goals without the urge to procrastinate.

2. Get rid of unproductive routine tasks: This included getting up each morning and checking your email. Do not start your day on somebody else’s agenda. Get out there, take some time to focus on the goals for the day and then start working on them. Do routine tasks during slow times of the day. For example, check your emails right after lunch.

3. Look at your habits to see if they could be changed, maybe you could do certain things different ways and save yourself some time in the process.

4. Evaluate yourself to determine if you are a morning person or night person and organize tasks to use whatever time suits you best. I am usually the most productive at night or after 10 AM and that is exactly why I work on my most important goals during those hours. 2 hours of focused work is far more valuable than 10 hours of unfocused work.

5. Learn to say the word “no”: One of the biggest secrets of success is leadership. You need to be able to become a leader and say NO when someone asks you for a favor that can take considerable amount of highly productive time from you.

You need to be very cautious about where and how you spend your time. Time is the most precious resource you have and you need to stop wasting it and start treating it like gold.

To learn how you can take control of your time and use it to achieve your goals, click here.

Many people keep a “To Do” list to enhance their efficiency and effectiveness and I recommend you use this kind of list. I also have another suggestion that may sound odd but will also help your life in many ways: create a “Will Not Do” list.

The purpose of the “Will Not Do” list is to help you stop any habit that you may already needed in the past and no longer need. Here are some points you should consider when creating your “Will Not Do” list:

- If you check your email several times, limit it to four times per day.
- If you receive any kind of newsletter, magazine or journal and you don’t need them, cancel. If they are sent to you online you will save time, and if they are printed you will save time too, but will also help the environment.
- If you look for perfection, “settle” to meet requirements.
- If you are impulsive and tend to make a mistake after having previously made one, slow down, reflect and correct.
- If there are many things you must do, learn to delegate.
- If you usually agree to everything, learn to say no.

Having a “Will Not Do” list will help you to save free time to spend as you wish and you’ll be able to reach your goals faster than you would without the list.