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Time Management Tips: Do You Break it Down into Actions?

Use this one simple idea to feel less stressed. And make better use of the time you have. You can do this by analyzing the whole project to break it down into individual actions. Realize that a project isn't necessarily some large undertaking that you're involved in at work. Anything that requires more than one action on your part is a project.

If you don't break projects down into actions each time you think about the project you have to make a decision. Every time you think about the project you have to decide what your next step should be or you decide to table it yet again and think about it later. That means every time you think about the project you're doing unnecessary mental work that increases your level of stress.

Rather than having a list of projects you want to develop a list of next actions. That way when you're feeling overwhelmed because you have so much to do and not enough time you can look at a list of actions and make effective choices. Looking at a list of projects only makes you feel more confused and frustrated because you're too frazzled to make a good decision about what you should do next. But when you're in the same situation and you have a list of actions in front of you there are fewer decisions to make. Now you scan down the list and choose one action. You have two ways you can approach that choice are both appropriate at different times.

One way you might approach that choice is to make it based on the amount of time you have available at the moment. No matter how well you try to plan your day there will be little odd time lots anywhere from 5-15 minutes throughout your day. Not enough time to delve into anything too complicated, but just enough time to do some quick tasks.

Another way to approach that choice is based on priority. Scanning your list of actions choose the most important action you can take right now that has the greatest potential for you. As you make choices based on their greatest potential for value you're learning good time management skills that will help you to get more value from your time with less stress.

When you have a list of next actions related to every project or your overall big picture goals you have the ability to be much more focused. Before you end each day scan your list and choose just 1-3 most important actions that you'll take the next day and plan when you'll do them. When the next day comes hold yourself accountable to take those actions.

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Author: Cheryl Clausen can help you get unstuck. To find Time Management Tips get her free analysis. Enhance your Time Management Skills, look here. Don't reprint the same version as everyone else. Get your own unique content article here.

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