I wonder whether I have the ability to keep myself efficient. An useful tools like PDAs can be used for this. In order to align my busy schedule as it is on paper with the inexactitude of reality, adhere to the following tips for effective scheduling.
1. Clarified objectives
Carefully consider your objectives for events such as meetings beforehand, noting precisely what you want to accomplish and what questions you may need to ask. Doing so will allow you to allot the right amount of time to events in your schedule. When you arrive or, if possible, in advance of the appointment, clarify these objectives by making them known to others.
2. Punctual
Make it a priority to be on time and seek to develop a reputation for punctuality. Few reputations will precede you more effectively or say more good things about your professional persona than an adherence and dedication to punctuality. This doesn’t mean arriving exactly on the hour or demanding that others do so as well; rather, it’s a function of your reliability. It shows you can manage a busy schedule, that you respect the time and attention of others and that you insist upon the same.
3. Keep track
In his book How to Organize (Just About) Everything, author Peter Walsh offers the following advice: “Keep track of how much of your workweek you devote to appointments. If the amount exceeds 50%, evaluate whether other people’s agendas are overpowering yours.”
It can certainly happen, which is why Walsh also suggests that you make sure to include in your schedule time to work alone without intrusion.
4. Send confirmations
A schedule that includes meetings and appointments with other people takes a bit of control out of your hands and puts its efficiency in jeopardy. One step to take back some of that control is to send e-mail reminders the day before or the morning of in order to confirm your meetings with all those involved. It will also help you reschedule in the event of cancellations.
5. Be realistic
Time is the ultimate factor here, so making an unrealistic assessment of even one meeting or event can throw off the remainder of your schedule and, consequently, your entire day. Furthermore, while it would be nice to dispatch with certain unpleasant appointments quickly, you can’t make out your schedule this way. In other words, learn to schedule realistically, not ideally. Make an estimate on the time, then add 10% to 20% on top of that to allow for travel, drawn-out meetings, etc.
1. Clarified objectives
Carefully consider your objectives for events such as meetings beforehand, noting precisely what you want to accomplish and what questions you may need to ask. Doing so will allow you to allot the right amount of time to events in your schedule. When you arrive or, if possible, in advance of the appointment, clarify these objectives by making them known to others.
2. Punctual
Make it a priority to be on time and seek to develop a reputation for punctuality. Few reputations will precede you more effectively or say more good things about your professional persona than an adherence and dedication to punctuality. This doesn’t mean arriving exactly on the hour or demanding that others do so as well; rather, it’s a function of your reliability. It shows you can manage a busy schedule, that you respect the time and attention of others and that you insist upon the same.
3. Keep track
In his book How to Organize (Just About) Everything, author Peter Walsh offers the following advice: “Keep track of how much of your workweek you devote to appointments. If the amount exceeds 50%, evaluate whether other people’s agendas are overpowering yours.”
It can certainly happen, which is why Walsh also suggests that you make sure to include in your schedule time to work alone without intrusion.
4. Send confirmations
A schedule that includes meetings and appointments with other people takes a bit of control out of your hands and puts its efficiency in jeopardy. One step to take back some of that control is to send e-mail reminders the day before or the morning of in order to confirm your meetings with all those involved. It will also help you reschedule in the event of cancellations.
5. Be realistic
Time is the ultimate factor here, so making an unrealistic assessment of even one meeting or event can throw off the remainder of your schedule and, consequently, your entire day. Furthermore, while it would be nice to dispatch with certain unpleasant appointments quickly, you can’t make out your schedule this way. In other words, learn to schedule realistically, not ideally. Make an estimate on the time, then add 10% to 20% on top of that to allow for travel, drawn-out meetings, etc.
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