book

How to be a Time Master: Control your time...control your life

Name: How to be a Time Master: Control your time...control your life
Author: Ian Cooper
ISBN: 9781906465674

by Ian Cooper

November 2009

Beginner

216 pages

3h 4m

English

Capstone

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Copyright
INTRODUCTION
WHAT TYPE OF TIME MASTER ARE YOU?
THE TIME MASTER TRUTHS
YOU CAN DISCOVER YOUR INNER TIME MASTEREVERYONE HAS A TIME PERSONALITY – TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR YOURS!CHOOSE THE 'PAINKILLER' APPROACH TO TIME MANAGEMENT FIRSTCONTROL IS EVERYTHING – PLANNING IS CONTROL!HEALTH MANAGEMENT IS ALSO TIME MANAGEMENTTIME CAN BE SPENT BUT NOT SAVED, SO BUDGET CAREFULLYPUT YOUR PERSONAL AND FAMILY LIFE FIRSTTHINKING ONLY IN HOUR AND HALF-HOUR TIME FRAMES LIMITS YOUR OPTIONS'SUNK TIME' HAS GONE WHATEVER YOU DO: DON'T GET TRAPPED BY IT!SLOW DOWN - NOT EVERYTHING IS URGENTSPEND YOUR TIME WHERE IT WILL HAVE MOST IMPACT - UNDERSTAND THE 80/20 RULEMASTER YOUR HABITS...MASTER YOUR TIME!MAKE CREATIVE USE OF YOUR TIMEACCEPT THAT YOU WILL NEVER GET EVERYTHING DONE
WHAT ARE YOUR TIME PROBLEMS?
1. MASTER YOUR PLANNING
1.1. PRIORITIZATION IS THE 'HOLY GRAIL' OF TIME PLANNING1.2. DON'T BECOME A TIME PLANNING JUNKIE1.3. NO ONE PLANNING SYSTEM FITS ALL1.4. UNDERSTAND THE TIME MASTER WWW QUESTION SYSTEM1.4.1. W = WHAT DO YOU 'HAVE TO' AND 'WANT TO' GET DONE?1.4.1.1. 'TO DO' LISTS1.4.1.1.1. Level 1: The basic 'to do' list1.4.1.1.2. Level 2: The prioritized 'to do' list1.4.1.1.3. Level 3: The prioritized, time-specified 'to do' list1.4.1.2. DIFFERENT TYPES OF 'TO DO' LISTS1.4.1.2.1. The project-specific 'to do' list1.4.1.2.2. The activity-specific 'to do' list1.4.1.2.3. Time section-specific 'to do' list1.4.2. W = WHEN WILL YOU DO IT?1.4.2.1. PUT YOURSELF FIRST!1.4.2.1.1. Time planning time1.4.2.1.2. Thinking time1.4.2.1.3. Time off1.4.2.1.4. Exercise1.4.2.1.5. Getting organized time1.4.2.1.6. Catch-up time1.4.2.1.7. Family things1.4.2.1.8. Hobby or outside interest time1.4.2.2. PLAN FOR THE UNEXPECTED!1.4.2.3. SET TARGETS1.4.3. W = WHERE WILL YOU WRITE THIS INFORMATION DOWN SO THAT IT IS EASILY VISIBLE AND ACCESSIBLE TO REMIND YOU?1.4.3.1. PLANNING SYSTEMS1.4.3.2. DIFFERENT TYPES OF PLANNERS, TOOLS AND METHODS1.4.3.3. INVEST WISELY IN SOMETHING THAT IS GOOD QUALITY1.4.3.4. PUT EASE OF USE BEFORE FUNCTIONALITY1.4.3.5. EVERYTHING NEEDS TO BE TOGETHER OR ACCESSIBLE FROM ONE PLACE1.4.3.6. BE CREATIVE1.4.3.7. BE DISCIPLINED ABOUT MOVING THINGS FROM ONE SYSTEM TO ANOTHER
2. MASTER YOUR PRIORITIES
2.1. DO THE MOST IMPORTANT THING FIRST2.1.1. Make Time for the Things You Want To Do2.1.2. Don't Worry About Unimportant Things
3. MASTER YOUR STUFF
3.1. CREATING LEVERAGE3.1.1. SELLING YOUR HOME3.1.2. SOCIAL VISITORS AND GUESTS3.1.3. THE COSTS OF TIME, MONEY, STRESS AND PHYSICAL HASSLE3.1.4. ORGANIZATIONAL RULES3.1.4.1. PLAN HOW MUCH TIME YOU WANT TO INVEST3.1.4.2. PLAN WHEN3.1.4.3. PRIORITIZE3.1.4.4. DELEGATE3.1.5. PREPARE3.1.5.1. PREPARE A PLACE FOR DOCUMENTS AND PAPERWORK3.1.5.2. PREPARE A PLACE FOR TIME-RELATED PHYSICAL THINGS YOU NEED IN THE FUTURE3.1.5.3. A date-based filing system3.1.5.4. Use a pin board3.1.5.5. PREPARE A PLACE FOR GENERAL STORAGE ITEMS3.1.5.6. PREPARE A PLACE FOR UNREAD GENERAK INFORMATION3.1.5.7. PREPARE YOUR PERSONAL 'SEMI-AUTOMATIC DISPOSAL SYSTEM (SAD)'3.1.6. IMPLEMENTATION3.1.6.1. FOLLOW YOUR PLAN3.1.6.2. REMEMBER, A BIT AT A TIME ONLY3.1.6.3. PERSEVERE3.1.6.4. MAINTAIN3.1.7. COMMON ORGANIZATIONAL PROBLEMS AND QUESTIONS3.1.7.1. WHAT IF THE ITEMS I WANT TO KEEP ARE TOO BIG OR BULKY FOR THE FILE OR STORAGE SYSTEM I HAVE?3.1.7.2. IT'S EASY TO KNOW WHAT NEEDS TO BE ACTIONED, BUT HOW DO I DECIDE WHAT TO 'STORE' AND WHAT TO 'DUMP'?3.1.7.3. IF I COME ACROSS ITEMS THAT NEED TO BE ACTIONED AND DEALT WITH, DO I DEAL WITH THEM THEN OR LATER?3.2. TIME MASTER ORGANIZATIONAL TIPS3.2.1. MAKE SURE THE TIME SPENT ORGANIZING IS PROPORTIONATE TO THE BENEFIT3.2.2. ONLY TAKE TELEPHONE NUMBERS DOWN ONCE3.2.3. GIVE EVERY PIECE OF PAPER THE 'ONCE ONLY SAD' TREATMENT3.2.4. HAVE A GENERAL NOTES SECTION ON YOUR COMPUTER3.2.5. CREATE A REMINDER SYSTEM3.2.5.1. Immediacy3.2.5.2. Visibility3.2.5.3. Write it down3.2.6. IMPROVE YOUR HANDWRITING3.2.7. PUT BACK WHAT YOU TAKE OUT3.2.8. START WITH AND KEEP YOUR DESK OR WORK SPACE CLEAR3.2.9. FOCUS ON THE JOB IN HAND FIRST3.2.10. ORGANIZE WHAT IS ON YOUR COMPUTER3.2.11. BACK-UP
4. MASTER YOUR PROCRASTINATION
4.1. TIME MASTER TIPS FOR AVOIDING PROCRASTINATION4.1.1. BREAK THE TASK INTO BITS4.1.2. CREATE A TIMESCALE WITH A DEADLINE4.1.3. MAKE IT PUBLIC4.1.4. MAKE A GEME OUT OF IT4.1.5. CREATE REWARDS ALONG THE WAY AND AT THE NED4.2. OTHER FOOD FOR THOUGHT ABOUT PROCRASTINATION4.2.1. BE HONEST WITH YOURSELF4.2.2. PROCRASTINATION IS NOT ALWAYS NEGATIVE4.2.3. BEING SIDETRACKED IS ALSO PROCRASTINATION
5. MASTER YOUR TIME ESTIMATES
5.1. TIME MASTER TIPS FOR MASTERING TIME ESTIMATES5.1.1. BREAK IT INTO BITS5.1.2. THINK TWICE5.1.3. IT IS BETTER AND SAFER TO OVERESTIMATE THAN UNDERESTIMATE5.1.4. BUILD IN TIME FOR THE UNEXPECTED5.1.5. TIME HOW LONG THINGS TAKE

6. MASTER YOUR TELEPHONE
6.1. ARE YOU A SLAVE TO THE TELEPHONE?6.2. DEALING WITH 'TELEPHONE TAG'6.2.1. ARRANGE A SPECIFIC TIME TO SPEAK TO SOMEONE6.2.2. FIX A SPECIFIC TIME TO SPEAK VIA SOMEONE'S PA6.2.3. LEAVE A VOICEMAIL MESSAGE SAYING WHEN YOU WANT THEM TO CALL YOU BACK6.2.4. IF YOU ARE LEAVING A VOICEMAIL MESSAGE, BE SPECIFIC ABOUT WHAT YOU WANT6.2.5. HOLD6.3. DO YOU TALK FOR TOO LONG?6.4. BEAT THE CALL CENTRE HOLDING CON6.4.1. CALL THEM AT QUIET HOURS INSTEAD OF PEAK TIME6.4.2. KNOW THE SPECIAL 'CHEAT' NUMBERS6.4.3. BEWARE OF THE PREFIX 08706.5. ARE YOU A MOBILE PHONE JUNKIE?6.6. TIME MASTER TELEPHONE TIPS
7. MASTER YOUR EMAIL
7.1. CONTROL HOW OFTEN AND WHEN YOU CHECK YOUR EMAILS7.1.1. TURN IT OFF7.1.2. HAVE SET TIMES TO DEAL WITH EMAILS7.2. CONTROL WHO IS SENDING YOU EMAILS7.2.1. GET OFF THE LISTS7.2.2. OPT OUT OF ANY DATABASE SHARING7.2.3. DON'T GIVE OUT YOUR EMAIL ADDRESS RECKLESSLY7.3. CONTROL WHEN YOU SEND AN EMAIL AS OPPOSED TO OTHER WAYS OF COMMUNICATING7.4. CONTROL HOW YOU WRITE EMAILS7.4.1. STOP SAYING 'THANKS'7.4.2. KEEP EMAILS SHORT7.4.3. CHECK YOUR EMAIL BEFORE YOU SEND IT7.4.4. EDUCATE OTHERS IN HOW YOU DEAL WITH YOUR EMAILS7.5. CONTROL HOW YOU PROCESS EMAILS TO BE MOST TIME EFFICIENT7.5.1. ONLY READ THE EMAIL ONCE7.5.2. REPLY REASONABLY SOON OR SEND A BRIDGING EMAIL7.6. CONTROL THE IT TOOLS YOU USE TO MANAGE THE PROCESS BETTER7.6.1. DELETE EMAILS FROM YOUR INBOX AND SENT BOX7.6.2. GET RID OF EMAILS IN YOUR DELETED ITEMS FOLDER7.6.3. SAVE AND STORE PAST EMAILS7.6.4. SORT MATERIAL INTO FOLDERS AND FILES7.6.5. GET A NEW, PRIVATE EMAIL ADDRESS
8. MASTER YOUR SCREEN TIME
8.1. WHY AND HOW DO YOU VIEW?8.2. Time Master screen time facts and questions8.3. TIME MASTER SCREEN TIPS
9. MASTER YOUR MEETINGS
9.1. MEETING OBJECTIVES9.2. ALTERNATIVES TO MEETINGS9.3. KEY PEOPLE9.4. NUMBERS ATTENDING9.5. PREPARATION AND HOMEWORK9.6. STARTING AND STOPPING ON TIME9.7. MEETING MINUTES9.8. TOO MANY CORPORATE OR DEPARTMENTAL COMMITTEES9.9. DATE OF NEXT MEETING9.10. PROTECT AND VALUE YOUR OWN TIME9.11. BE OPEN ABOUT 'MEETING AVOIDANCE' STRATEGIES9.12. MAKE TIME A KEY ISSUE WHEN YOU START A MEETING9.13. TAKE PHONE NUMBERS WITH YOU TO MEETINGS9.14. THINK CAREFULLY ABOUT REFRESHMENTS9.15. DOUBLE-CHECK THE MEETING VENUE
10. MASTER YOUR INTERRUPTIONS
10.1. UNPLANNED VISITORS10.1.1. PRIORITIZE YOUR INTERRUPTIONS10.1.2. CLOSE YOUR DOOR10.1.3. CONTROL UNPLANNED VISITORS THROUGH YOUR ACTIONS10.1.4. DISCOVER THE GOOD AND BAD INTERRUPTERS10.1.5. PLAN YOUR INTERRUPTIONS10.1.6. HAVE INTERRUPTION-WISE GATEKEEPERS10.1.7. CHANGE THE POSITION OF YOUR DESK10.2. INTERRUPTIONS FROM THE TELEPHONE, EMAIL, TEXT ETC.10.2.1. TURN YOUR MOBILE OFF AND YOUR VOICEMAIL ON10.2.2. TURN OFF YOUR EMAIL
11. MASTER YOUR TIME THIEVES
11.1. COMPANY TIME THEFT11.1.1. TIME MASTER TIPS FOR HOTELS11.1.1.1. ASK FOR HELP11.1.1.2. GIVE APPROPRIATE FEEDBACK11.1.1.3. SERVE NOTICE11.1.2. TELEPHONE TIME THEFT11.1.3. RED TAPE TIMEWASTERS11.1.3.1. TIME MASTER TIPS FOR RED TAPE11.1.4. THE WAITING-IN SCENARIO11.1.4.1. TIME LORD TIPS FOR DELIVERIES11.2. PERSONAL TIME THIEVES11.2.1. PEOPLE WHO ARE OFTEN LATE11.2.1.1. DON'T FALL FOR THE 'COUPLE OF MINUTES' LIE11.2.1.2. IF PEOPLE ARE KEEPING YOU WAITING, CALL THEM11.2.2. INTERRUPT
12. MASTER THE ABILITY TO SAY NO!
12.1. 20 TIME MASTER WAYS OF SAYING 'NO'12.2. TIME MASTER TIPS FOR SAYING 'NO' TO YOUR BOSS12.2.1. DON'T BE A 'JUSTER'12.2.2. THINKING IT OVER12.2.3. SET EXPECTATIONS AND GET PERMISSION12.2.4. YOU DON'T ALWAYS NEED TO EXPLAIN
13. MASTER YOUR BOSS
13.1. TIME MASTER TIPS TO MANAGE YOUR BOSS13.1.1. HAVE THE COURAGE TO DISCUSS TIME MANAGEMENT ISSUES WITH YOUR BOSS13.1.1.1. DON'T BE AFRAID TO ASK YOUR BOSS ABOUT PRIORITIES13.1.2. TAKE ADVANTAGE OF OPPORTUNITIES TO PUT FORWARD SUGGESTIONS13.1.3. ASK FOR HELP FROM ABOVE13.1.4. GET TO KNOW YOUR BOSS BETTER13.1.5. RAISE ISSUES PRIOR TO MEETINGS13.1.6. LEARN TO SAY 'NO' PROPERLY
14. MASTER YOUR DELEGATION SKILLS
15. MASTER YOUR TIME-CHARGING
15.1. DEALING WITH THE 'HOW MUCH?' QUESTION15.1.1. INVITE CALLERS INTO A CONVERSATION TO GET BACKGROUND15.1.2. ADD A PERCENTAGE TO YOUR ESTIMATE AND GIVE A BALLPARK FIGURE15.2. CHARGING ENOUGH WHEN A JOB DOESN'T TAKE THAT LONG15.3. CONTROLLING YOUR TIME WHEN PEOPLE CALL FOR FREE ADVICE15.3.1. DON'T FALL INTO THE 'FREE ADVICE' TRAP15.3.2. TAKE CONTROL AND SOW SEEDS ABOUT CHARGING FOR YOUR TIME AT THE OUTSET
16. MASTER YOUR DECISION-MAKING
16.1. TIME MASTER QUESTIONS TO ASK YOURSELF WHEN MAKING DECISIONS16.1.1. WHAT FEELS RIGHT?16.1.2. WHAT IF I MAKE THE WRONG DECISION?16.1.3. IF OTHER PEOPLE ARE INVOLVED, DO I HAVE DOUBTS ABOUT THEM?16.1.4. WHAT IS YOUR DECISION-MAKING TRACK RECORD?
17. MASTER YOUR HEALTH
17.1. MAKE TIME FOR EXERCISE17.2. MAKE TIME TO THINK AND PLAN WHAT YOU EAT17.3. MAKE TIME TO SLEEP17.4. MAKE TIME TO GET THE RIGHT TOOLS17.5. SEEK MEDICAL HELP AS SOON AS YOU ARE WORRIED ABOUT A PROBLEM
18. DON'T BE TIME BORED!
18.1. YOUR TIME MASTER RETIREMENT CHECKLIST
TIME MASTER TRAVEL TIPS
18.2. GET YOUR JOURNEY INFORMATION ONCE18.3. ON HOLIDAY, TAKE OFF YOUR WATCH18.4. PLAN YOUR ROUTE18.5. AVOID THE WORST OF THE RUSH HOUR18.6. CHECK OUT OF HOTELS BEFORE BREAKFAST18.7. USE YOUR SAT-NAV18.8. KEEP A BAG PACKED18.9. ACTIVELY USE YOUR DOWNTIME18.10. SET YOUR WATCH THREE MINUTES FAST18.11. GET READY IN GOOD TIME18.12. TRAVEL DIRECT18.13. INVEST IN QUEUE-JUMPING OFFERS18.14. BOOK IN ADVANCE
TIME MASTER SHOPPING TIPS
18.15. MAKE SURE THE SHOP IS OPEN18.16. HAVE A SHOPPING LIST18.17. KEEP A SUPERMARKET COIN18.18. SHOP WHEN OTHER PEOPLE AREN'T THERE18.19. DON'T BE A CHECKOUT SHEEP18.20. CHECK PRICES BEFORE YOU GO SHOPPING18.21. SHOP ONLINE WITH HOME DELIVERY18.22. CHECK WHETHER ITEMS ARE IN STOCK BEFORE YOU GO SHOPPING18.23. IF YOU ARE SHOPPING FOR OTHERS, KNOW EXACTLY WHAT THEY WANT
TIME MASTER EATING OUT TIPS
18.24. ONLY GO TO RESTAURANTS THAT TAKE BOOKINGS18.25. STUDY THE MENU ONLINE18.26. CHECK THAT THE RESTAURANT IS OPEN18.27. ORDER STRAIGHT AWAY18.28. ASK FOR THE BILL BEFORE YOU'RE READY TO LEAVE
TIME MASTER BUSINESS TIPS
18.29. TIME SENDING YOUR BILL FOR THE PEAK OF THE GRATITUDE CURVE18.30. IF YOU'RE IN SALES, KNOW WHEN TO STOP CHASING!18.31. ALWAYS CONFIRM YOUR MEETINGS18.32. TRY TO COORDINATE MEETINGS18.33. LEARN THE RIGHT SKILLS18.34. AVOID LITIGATION18.35. BE KIND TO YOURSELF WHEN COMMITTING TO DEADLINES18.36. WORK AT HOME IF POSSIBLE18.37. TIME MASTER NETWORKING TIPS18.38. CONVERT YOUR TIME INTO MONEY18.39. LEARN TO INVEST SPECULATIVE TIME WISELY
THE TIME MASTER COMMANDMENTS
18.40. PRACTICE THE 'WWW QUESTION' APPROACH TO PLANNING18.41. DO THE MOST IMPORTANT THING FIRST18.42. UNDERSTAND THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN PROCRASTINATION AND PRIORITIZATION18.43. BREAK ALL TASKS OR PROJECTS INTO BITS!18.44. PUT YOURSELF AND YOUR FAMILY FIRST WHEN IT COMES TO PLANNING18.45. LEARN TO SAY 'NO'18.46. TURN YOUR GADGETS OFF18.47. STOP THINKING IN HALF-HOUR OR HOUR TIME SLOTS18.48. DON'T GET TRAPPED BY 'SUNK TIME'18.49. STOPPING AND RELAXING IS NOT A WASTE OF TIME18.50. DON'T KEEP YOUR 'TO DO' LIST IN YOUR HEAD18.51. PLAN FOR HAVING TOO MUCH TIME18.52. SET TARGETS AND REWARD YOURSELF18.53. TIME MASTERS ARE ONLY HUMAN!

Overview

If you could save just 24 minutes a day you'd gain an extra 6 days a year. Some say the world was created in 6 days. What could you achieve?

You don't have to work harder or spend hours defining your life goals in order to manage your time. The Time Master approach is full of quick painkilling solutions and long-term 'know-how'.

This is more than time management, this is timemastery.

Forget about complicated planning techniques and endless charts - with over 400 practical tips and tricks at your fingertips, you'll be able to tackle your main problem areas and take back control of your time and your life, quickly. As a Time Master, you will learn how to slow down and enjoy doing the things you really want to do.

Master ways to:

Work out what really needs to be done and when
Manage emails, your screen time and the telephone
Run brilliant meetings
Deal with interruptions
Stop others stealing your time
Say no when necessary and manage our boss
Make time for your health
And many more ...

'A common sense approach to time management ... in an easy to read format.' --Clare Evans, Time Management Coach and author of Time Management For Dummies

Become an O’Reilly member and get unlimited access to this title plus top books and audiobooks from O’Reilly and nearly 200 top publishers, thousands of courses curated by job role, 150+ live events each month,
and much more.

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