"Tami Management"

Time is the coin of your life. It is the only coin you have, and only you can

determine how it will be spent. Be careful lest you let other people spend it for you.

~Carl Sandburg

If you've been reading this blog, you may know that I have talked about just how precious time is and how it now "flies" for me. And in that vein, you need to know that time management is a myth! No matter how organized we are, there are always only 24 hours in a day. Time doesn't change. All we can actually manage is ourselves and what we do with the time that we have. I like to call it "Tami Management" rather than Time Management! The focus of time management is actually changing your behaviors, not changing time. Maximize your day with these seven tips courtesy of LifeOrganizers.com. Then, apply them again tomorrow.

7 Ways to Make the Most of Your Days

1. Write a To Do list - Include from 4-6 tasks on your To Do List, and work on those items. Don't allow yourself to put anything else on your list, until those initial items are completed. In addition, be sure you have a mix of A (High), B (Medium) and C (Low) Priority items on your list. Try to have your list reflect 60% 'A' Priority items, 30% 'B' Priority items and 10% 'C' Priority items.

2. Write a NOT To Do List - Write a list of what you're doing each week that you want to stop doing. Remember, you have the power to say 'No.' The choice is yours.

3. Give yourself an hour - Give yourself a minimum of an hour a day. Use this time to read, meditate, enjoy your garden, take a walk in the park--whatever it is that you love to do. And whatever you do, don't break that appointment with yourself.

4. Get enough sleep - Determine how many hours of sleep you need, and get that needed sleep each night. If possible, try to go to bed at the same time each night, and wake up at the same time each day. This will help your body get into a routine.

5. Take short energy breaks - If you're hungry or you are feeling light-head, take a short break and have a snack--something nutritious.

6. Eliminate interruptions - If you really need to get something done, it's important to focus. And the only way to focus is to eliminate interruptions. Close your office door. Let your calls go to your voicemail or answering machine.

7. Define your hours - If you need to work on something important every day, define the hours you plan to work on that project and block those hours of time out on your calendar.

Establish your true priorities, and then allow yourself the time to do what needs to be done. Anything less will result in stress and disappointment. You may just find yourself stress-free and most successful when you give yourself permission to take the time to do things that are important, and even more successful when you allow yourself the time to do them right.