25 Hours in a Day
By Sherril Steele-Carlin
Just about everyone wishes there was more time in a day, at least once in a while. If you wish you had 25 hours every day, then perhaps you have too much on your plate, or you're not using your time effectively. Planning your tasks can be a big help in "adding" time to every day.
To-Do Lists
"To-Do" lists are one way to keep your tasks organized. A list of all the items you need to complete is often very helpful in not only prioritizing those tasks, but also making sure you don't forget something important. You can organize your to-do list by day, week, or month, whatever is comfortable for you. There are many online organizers that will allow you to create calendars and reminder lists. Many people prepare a to-do list at the end of every day, getting ready for the next day. Others sit down and prepare a list every morning before they do anything else. As long as it works for you, there really is no "right" way.
If some of your tasks seem overwhelming, then perhaps you can break them down into more manageable blocks that will seem less intimidating. If you are preparing a marketing presentation for a major client, for example, you could break the task down into blocks for writing, creating a PowerPoint demonstration, creating the handouts that will accompany the presentation, and practicing the delivery. As you accomplish each task, you are closer to completing the project, and also keeping on track.
To-do lists can also help immensely if you are juggling many projects at one. Keeping a list of what is due when can be helpful as well as keep you organized and on tract.
Outsourcing
If you simply have too much work to complete in too little time, you might think about outsourcing some of your projects. Do you have to write a marketing brochure, develop a proposal for a new client, and create a presentation all at once? You might look for a professional contractor at many of the freelance outsourcing sites (see below) to help you from time to time when you are buried under too many projects. Outsourcing some of your work can give you more time to work on other projects, and allow you to serve more clients effectively.
Formal Plans
If your projects are more demanding, a more detailed or "formal" plan may be needed to complete your project effectively. An excellent outline for creating a detailed formal plan for a project can be found at MindTools.com (see below).
It might seem as you begin your serious planning effort that it will simply add time to your day, but as you begin to organize and plan your projects more effectively, you'll find that you really will get more done in less time. You'll find out how to break down projects into pieces that you can accomplish more quickly, and how to more effectively gauge how long a project will take to complete.
So, just a little planning can add time to your day, and a smile to your face!