What techniques do you use to manage your time?

[MichaelCorfman]

There was a very good discussion started in the private forums by Mojo (who just recently transitioned to being a full-time webmaster) about how people manage their time. GPWA webmasters provided some valuable feedback about what they did to structure and organize their work to be productive.

I thought it would be interesting to find out how many of the ideas mentioned are used by different webmasters, and to also solicit more suggestions from members.

If you're a private member and have not viewed that thread on managing your time yet, I suggest it as worthwhile reading. And if your'e not a private member, this poll will give you a glimpse at some of the discussion that goes on within the private forums, and some of the benefit of applying for private membership.

The list in the poll is very diverse, and not everything mentioned in the thread is included in the poll since the forum software only allows 16 poll items.

Use this poll to let us know which techniques you currently use, and if you have any additional suggestions.

Michael

[Chips]

Having a task list is crucial to me, as time goes on and interuptions happen it seam the list becomes greater than my time allows, prioratizing the list in paramount. I also had a routine that I followed but have deviated from it recently, I need to get back to it as it worked perfect for me. It seams that all the new demands got ahead of the work plan... time to re-organize and get it in one sock before I lose my mind.

[mojo]

This is a great post and I forsee a lot of terrific stories. I hope they are like me and still wearing pajamas at 2pm As Michael said, I have made the transition to full time affiliate. I am having trouble getting my s^^t together and asked for advice. It is very interesting to see what exactly affiliates DO all DAY!

This is a good example of why everyone should join the private forums. For those of you who havent, here was my lastest post on the matter (edited).

Lists are essential for me. I start a task and while doing it I find errors that need correcting or content that needs doing. I found myself stopping to correct these and neglecting my original task. Then I am here and there and everywhere. That doesn't work. I have to write it on a list to do after and finish the task at hand. If I don't, the original task will end up on the to do list too.

Taking breaks usually consist of cleaning or laundry. That's not a bad thing. These are things I can now do at my leisure and makes it not so much a chore. I need to go out and get excersize but that consists of actually getting dressed. There are beaches two miles away and I really have no excuse. One of my fave things has been walking the shore and picking up seaglass. I can walk miles and I have tons of it lol. Dropping everything and going to lunch rocks too. I love that part, no bosses to worry about.

If my earnings goal is not met early in the month I start to panic and work harder. When I have no worries I tend to slack. I need to change that too.

Learning what everyone else does is probably the best tool to get my groove going. Thanks everyone!

__________________

[masontech]

Self promotion I know, but check out my Productivity blog at www.didigetthingsdone.com and try the Getting Things Done book by David Allen, made a huge difference to me!

[Tristan]

I use the GTD methodology, as it works very very well for me.

I use outlook + an app called http://mylifeorganized.net/ . Adrian and I also have a groupware & bug tracking solution we use.

I highly recommend the GTD book to anyone, as it really helped the way I work more than anything else I've ever tried.

[adrianm]

GTD(getting things done - see www.davidco.com for details) done wonders for me. Using Outlook + Clear Context addon setup using GTD methodology.

It may sound complicated but I highly advice this to anyone feeling overwhelmed or disorganized.

[masontech]

Wow, great to see fellow GTD'ers!

[sipka]

I'm trying to organize my time the best I can

Still, sometimes I am overwhelmed by yellow stickies as I write down every idea I have at once, so they don't fall over my head lol

[deirdreg]

I need to keep repeated records of tasks! E-reminders, hand-written (diarys etc) and post-its. The more frequently I see them, the better the routine I get into!! Something I got into doing during my uni time (also, I keep my wristwatch on the desk in front of me so that I can easily keep an eye on what time it is, and not waste time looking at my wrist!)

[Henrik - GNUF]

Brilliant thread, have not been in the forums in a few days and fun to see all the things going on in here, and all the good threads. Maybe I have been able to focus a bit more now when I have time to visit here and catch up.

I have to say that I work best with an old fashioned list, it feels so good drawing a big fat line over the chore when it is done. But I also tend to experience the same problem as mojo, I keep working through the list, get disturbed by an email or something really urgent and then that leads to something else that leads to something else, so all of the sudden I am working on tons of stuff that is not on the list.... very annoying to have to rewrite the to do list for the day after.

[vegasaffiliates]

Time management.. that crucial element. I used to make a note of everything in my head until the list of tasks kept growing by the day.

So it's now penned down in my little black book with a list of things to do reviewing it on a daily basis. Usually planning for the week ahead during the weekends with a can of beer(s) sitting by the balcony in sunny Malta.

It's a nice way to plan and relax too...!!

[kumen]

do it better

[JohnCarry]

I try and focus only on one thing at a time, I found that multi-tasking takes longer than handling each task seperately.
I also try and explain people I work with that the world won't come to an end if they don't get an answer to their email message instantly...