SuperCompetent: The Six Keys to Perform at Your Productive Best

SUMMARY: ACCESSIBILITY

How much time do you spend every day trying to track things down—whether it's the location of the meeting starting in five minutes, the tasks you need to do today, or the phone number for a certain productivity expert you want to invite to your next meeting? While searching for these details might not take much time, it does force you to relinquish your focus. And once gone, it takes awhile to get it back, which is where the real time is wasted.

When perfectly fine-tuned to your needs, your time management system allows you to access the information you need exactly when you need it. Your calendar, lists, contact information are all immediately accessible, wherever you are. Your e-mail inbox is under control and emptied at least daily.

Another potential Accessibility related time-stealer is travel, but it doesn't have to be. When you have to spring into action at a moment's notice, it's easy to forget something important you need, which puts you in the red from the beginning, in terms of time. But if you practice some forethought and have your basics ready to go at anytime, it's up, up, and away, without having to worry if you've packed enough socks.

It's tempting to just lie back and relax while you're in transit, especially since travel can be so hectic and tense. But just a few minutes here and there can allow you to get a little something done, even if you don't have the time to focus like you might in your office. If nothing else, you can get the tasks, ...