Last week I shared six of Dr. George Manning’s time management principles. This week I will share six more. The comments in brackets are mine.
- Learn How to Say No. If saying “yes” helps accomplish important goals, by all means do so. But if saying “yes” prevents you from accomplishing more important tasks, learn to say “no” in a tactful way. [Many times we cannot say “yes” to Kingdom opportunities because we have not said “no” to secular distractions. Ask God what are the important tasks you should be doing.]
- Focus Your Efforts. Mistakes can result from trying to do too many things at once. Often, it is not the quantity of time spent on a project that counts but the quality of time. By slowing down and concentrating on the task at hand, performance can improve. [This can be as simple as putting your phone where you cannot see it or hear it.]
- Perform Undesirable Tasks When Your Energy is High. I once asked Tibor Greenwalt, a medal of honor recipient and a leader in medical research, “What has been the secret to your success?” He thought for a moment, and with a smile he said, “I always do what I hate to do first. Then, when I turn to what I love, I have a tremendous burst of energy. When I’m doing what I love, the work itself keeps me going.”
- Plan for Emergencies. Keep your car in good repair and keep extra keys in your wallet. Get up 15 minutes early. Do homework and other important tasks as soon as possible; don’t wait until the last minute.
- Just Do It. Procrastination is a thief. Ultimately, action is required. The good time manager asks, “What is the best use of my time right now?” and then seizes the moment. As Ben Franklin once wrote, “Well done is better than well said.”
- Embrace Time Management. Some people resist time management practices, but no other tool has as much potential for improving performance and managing stress.
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