Some people will tell me that they are terrible time managers and waste a lot of their time (not to mention the waste of others time also). Take a good look at the ways you waste time and the ways others cause a waste of your time and then develop a plan to get rid of those time wasters.

Action #1: Prepare a time log of how you spend your time every day for a one week time period. You may do this in 15 or 30-minute increments, dependent upon your individual situation. Let me assure you that you will probably be surprised at the results. This is a critical first strategic action because it will define your existing expenditure of your time and this information can be used to develop a strategic time management plan.

Action #2: Plan, prioritize and focus your work and activities. Planning, prioritizing and focusing your time to accomplish specific objectives will be very effective in moving you toward your vision and your goals. You will accomplish much more in a shorter amount of time.

Action #3: You manage the handling of interruptions. This means that you manage the time when you receive telephone calls, have people drop into your office, and other things that will interrupt you and prevent you from focusing on what you need to do at that time. You establish the parameters and inform people of the circumstances when you can be interrupted (e.g. some type of emergency where immediate attention is needed).

Action #4: You avoid procrastination. You commit to and discipline yourself to take action in a timely manner on what needs to be done and by when it needs to be done.

Action #5: You schedule specific times to return telephone calls, check and respond to your email and to use the Internet. This is a very effective time management technique and will save you from wasting time by haphazardly doing these tasks.

Action #6: You learn to say "NO" and commit to saying "NO" when you do not have the time to responsibly respond to a request for the use of your time.

Action #7: You make sure that if you plan a meeting, there is a specific purpose for the meeting, a designated start & stop time for the meeting, an agenda, a record of the meeting and assigned specific follow-up actions. You use those guidelines to inquire about meetings you are asked to attend and ensure that your attendance at the meeting is required.

Action #8: You commit to get rid of your "clutter" and to become very organized so you will not waste time looking for items and will not be distracted by the "clutter."

Action #9: You commit to and then delegate tasks that someone else can do. You learn to separate those tasks that only you can do or that you are the most appropriate person to do those tasks.

Action #10: You commit to and establish time for yourself. This is time you set aside that is totally for and about YOU!