1 – A prioritised To-Do List is good; A prioritised To-Do today List is even better, it helps reduce stress, clarifies what you should or shouldn’t be doing, and stops you from forgetting things.

2 – Concentrate your efforts on the things on your To-Do List that have to be done by you. Everything else can be considered for delegation.

3 – When you read an email remember the four D’s. Deal with it (only if very quick response); Delay it (plan when you will do it); Delegate it (someone else can do it); or Dump it.

4 – Only check e-mails a maximum of three times a day, morning, lunchtime and mid afternoon.

5 – Use a descriptive subject heading in your e-mails, it helps the reader, and also helps you prioritise replies without having to open the e-mail.

6 – Stop procrastinating, make a start on those things you don’t like doing, concentrate on them for 30 mins. You will be surprised what you can achieve.

7 – Take the STING out of procrastination by, Selecting one thing to do that you have been putting off; Time yourself, (30 minutes is ideal); Ignore everything else going on around you during that time; allow No interruptions during that time and Give yourself a reward when the task is complete.

8 – Let your calls go to answer phone and then return them at all at once and at a time of your convenience

9 – When leaving a voice mail for others, never ask them to ring you, the call will come at the most inconvenient time. Always say when you will call them.

10 – Remember no one ever said on their deathbed, I wish I had spent more time at the office; get the work life balance correct.

Till Next Time

The Time Doctor – Mike Gardner