Conquering "time stealers"

As I am writing this blog post, I am literally being bombarded with emails, text messages, GroupMe notifications, calendar notifications, and the occasional phone call.  If this wasn't enough of a distraction, I am online.  Whenever I write a blog post, I like see what other bloggers are saying about the topic.  Sometimes this is a good thing, other times it is a black hole of reading articles that have nothing to do with my topic - but they're interesting, lol.  Of course, I have to make sure that I don't visit my favorite sites like ESPN.com or Facebook...I could basically kiss any chance of finishing my blog post goodbye.

Blogging is a release.  It's my opportunity to have a personal pulpit.  Honestly, it's more for me than it is for anyone who chooses to read it.  With that said, I only write about things that I have passion for.  And even though I have passion, I am still easily distracted.  You can only imagine what happens when I am doing something that I don't have passion for.  The distractions win out every single time!  When I was growing up, my Dad used to always tell me to avoid "time stealers" like the plague!  That's exactly what distractions are...the ultimate "time stealers".  Time is a commodity that most people carelessly waste; one way to leverage your time more effectively is to conquer "time stealers".  

Here are some common "time stealers"

• telephone calls/text messages
• emails
• unwillingness to say NO
• Procrasination

When you consider your career or business, it is even more detrimental to allow these "time stealers" to win!  How often do you hear people say, "If only I had more time?"  If you don't have Micheal J Fox's Delorean -  than there really isn't a way to get more time.  The best plan is to better utilize the time you have.  Here are a few strategies that you can use to slowly but surely win the battle for "more time".

• Set aside the time that you will check email and voice-mail.  In today's world, whether you are a business owner or an employee, you are constantly receiving emails, many of which are important.  The sad fact is, just as many are not important and are just "time stealers" in disguise.
• Put away your phone.  A long, long time ago...in the 1990's, people didn't send a text message every other minute, they didn't have to have the news at there fingertips, there wasn't any social media.  Amazingly, they survived.  Put your phone away while you are doing something important and concentrate on what you are doing.  Thank me later!
• Here is another tip...say No.  Sometimes you are invited to lunch, you may have a client ask you for a "quick favor", a coworker may ask you to do something that really isn't a priority - just say no.  This simple trick could save you tons of time!
• Here's a way to avoid procrastination. Either at the beginning of the day, or the end of the prior day write a very specific "must do" list.  This is different than a "to do" list - only put things on the list that you are committing to completing that day. Hold yourself accountable to actually completing the list daily.
• Do 1 thing at a time.  Why do you have 17 internet explorer pages up?  If you are checking email, check email.  If you are doing data entry, don't do anything else until you are finished.  To often, we consider multi-tasking effective - when it is actually pretty inefficient.
• Last tip...take control of your day.  If you are setting an appointment, give 2 or 3 options; all of which allow you to complete all the tasks that you need to...besides the appointment.  Not only does this help you to be more efficient, but your clients or coworkers will appreciate you for it.  A great unintended consequence is you appear to be more busy...in time you will be!

Conquer "time stealers" and you will be more successful.  Believe it or not, you will be able to accomplish MORE with LESS time.

I'd love to hear your thoughts, comment and share!