Get the Key to Time Management in 5 Clear Steps

#1 Time management “systems” often fail because they are born of perfectionism and unrealistic expectations.

For instance, some people don’t initiate a time management approach until they’re already falling behind in their work; they undertake time management as a means of catching up.

Their initial plans tend to cram in everything they have to do without appropriate regard for the time required. The unrealistic plans that emerge from “catch-up time management” amount to little more than an expression of renewed motivation for change but without the structure to support it.

Those who try to follow crammed schedules often fall seriously behind their intended pace and abandon the plan altogether, resulting in continued time trouble. Some conclude somehow that these strategies of planning don’t work for them.

But, what is important isn’t being perfect, it is making and using a plan that helps you accomplish your goals. One of your best options for time management systems is to begin with the process of goal setting to establish a context for managing time.

I find that I have to stay on top of lots of different types of news and content that fit with the different types of people that I meet. My company pulled together a website for me that pull’s in RSS feeds, news and articles for dozens of different topics. I go to http://info.trainingpass.com for a few minutes when ever I need to quickly study up on subjects. This saves me time, I don’t have to search. It’s in one place for me.

What’s your business plan? Even if you don’t own a business lets assume that your life needs to be run efficiently and organized and that you need a return on investment (ROI). Step one is goals, both long term (5 years) and short term (1 year). Let’s get started. Stop reading this article whenever you need too. First you need to create a sheet with 2 columns and 2 rows. Label the columns professional and the other personal, then the rows under them should be labeled long term and short term. Know what you want to achieve in life. Remember balance in life as well. Do your goals include exercise, financial, career, education, entertainment, religion, charity? List all that fit. Make sure that each goal is clear, positive and achievable. But, reach and grow, don’t set the goals to low. Remember and learn to celebrate your success too. As you achieve these goals take time to enjoy the satisfaction of your achievements.

This section of the program should take a few days. Get started on your goal list today, come back and visit it a couple of times to really make it the best that you can. After you have revisited it a few times now prioritize and number the list in the order that is most important for you to achieve over all success. Adjust how you think about time, improve your awareness of how you use time, and make change for peak performance. As you encounter time troubles, keep in mind that some are predictable, some are not; some are controllable, some are not. For those that are not controllable, keep your cool and get back on track as soon as possible. For time troubles that you can control, and particularly those that occur predictably, deal with them directly and forcefully so that they don’t prevent you from achieving your goals. Examine the following list of troubles: the tips and strategies associated with each one can help you shift your time back to your goals.

Procrastination often emerges as a means of distancing oneself from stressful activities. If you’re overwhelmed by the volume of work on your to-do list, you might benefit from making a “one-item list”: re-write the top item from your list at the top of a blank page and work the task to completion, then repeat.

It can be difficult to start working. Most of the time, however, not starting seems to be related to fear of poor results or negative evaluations than it is to the actual difficulty of the work. Aim to subdivide tasks into small steps and convince yourself that to get started all you need is 10 full minutes working on a task. Often, the 10 minutes will elapse and you’ll be right into the swing of things, prepared to continue on productively.

#2 The next phase of the system involves tracking time and developing awareness for where you spend your time.

How do you currently spend your time? You need to know. For the next week you need to keep a log of what your whole day looks like. Take a notebook and make notes all during the day. Also make a note in the logs about your moods. Don’t rely on your memory, that doesn’t work very well. After the week is over you’ll need to really dive into the log and split the entries into professional and personal. You might be surprised as to how much time is spent on reading junk mail, and chatting with the office chatterers or doing less than organized activities. It’s interesting to compare your energy levels when you review the logs. Productivity may be tied into your eating habits. Now how much is your time worth? Take your pay or if you’re at home, what your pay should be and divide it per hour, ½ hour and each 15 minute section. Examine the log and how much does it cost for you to deal with that junk mail or chatting and being social in non-productive discussions? Of course we all realize that we are human, and need social interaction. This is just a guide of what time management means in terms of costs. Here’s where your return on investment is important. You’ll return to this log to restructure your day.

#3 The third phase of the cycle is plan making, and this could include making to-do lists, weekly plans, monthly plans and longer-range plans.

Your new plan. Using the log to analyze your time you’ll now need to see where you can improve on your time management. Remembering the goals that you created in step one as a guide, we need to start using a to do list. You’ll need to revisit your master goals list several times during the year. Those goals are not carved in stone and can be changed as your life becomes more organized. Many people talk about multi-tasking, but be sure that you schedule quality time to complete your tasks completely. Your to-do list is your business plan of essential tasks for the week or for the day. Set time aside just once per day to process your postal mail, set time to read and responded to e-mail, unless you are in a service position that requires it more than once. As you look at the tasks that you need to schedule think about if this is a task that you enjoy and are you good at it? Are there some tasks that just should not be on your to do list? Would your personal ROI be better served if you showed someone else how to do this task? This is important because you will be more effective on the important tasks that fit your role in the organization and or family. It will also increase your satisfaction of a day well spent. Your new business plan should concentrate on your strengths and tasks that really matter to your job and home life and support the goals that you identified in step 1. In order for you to do this well you may need to review your job description purpose and meet with others to learn what is most important in increasing your value to them. How would you be able to exceed expectations? Consider this as you create your to do list. What are the most important deadlines? Are you part of a team and how does your time management skills relate to projects. You should know if there are resources and budgets available to you to support exceeding the expectations. If you manage people or are a family caregiver this all needs to be scheduled. This is a lot to consider and should be done over a period of time, perhaps a week. But, don’t procrastinate. Let’s get it done. Time management is important. What type of to do list will work best for you? Choose either a weekly or daily list based on the method that will be most effective for your management style. As you create your list consider that:

1. It makes sense that the person with the time, skill, talent and knowledge does each job. Bear in mind however that one person can not do everything.

2. Teach the person how to do the job, including shortcuts.

• Have the best tools, supplies, and equipment for doing the job.

• Consider what jobs people already do.

• Never re-do a job (unless health and/or safety is threatened). If you do, you’ll get the job back.

• Realize others may not meet your standards, but if you have truly given up the job, accept that your standards no longer apply.

• Praise people; let them know their work is appreciated.

3. There are plenty of people who would enjoy being paid for a job you would rather not do.

4. Apply the motto “Less is Best,” so you have fewer possessions to manage. Evaluate if the world will come to an end if the job just does not get done.

Divide your goals into time frames – and then subdivide into manageable pieces.

While it may seem challenging to take in the whole scope of that convergent goal, thinking of your goals in this way helps to reinforce the idea that there is a connected path linking what actions you take today and the successful completion of your goals.

Seeing these connections can help you monitor your own progress and detect whether you are on track or not.

The final phase of the cycle is time shifting and adjusting (i.e., changing where you spend your time to better match your intended use of time) in which you make corrections to the system before starting the cycle again at goal setting.

Taken together, these phases permit you to initialize a process of gradual, performance-based improvement in time management skill.

Everybody wants the “quick fix”, but the complexity of changes involved in really getting a grip on your time management process will take some time to move through.

Resist the urge to cast aside strategies that don’t promise instant results; like it or not, change takes time.

Now make the to – do list. Once your list is complete prioritize the list using numbers where #1 is most important. As you implement your new business plan start with most important. If at the end you don’t get to do the least important tasks examine how important they are and if you are the right person to be doing the task. Can you and should you delegate that duty?

#4 Now that you have your list created use technology and tools. How do you schedule your time? Do you use a calendar, a daily, weekly, monthly planner? Do you use computer software, pda, or smart gadget? If you have these tools but don’t know how or do not use them, make time on your list for this learning. If your life is fast paced or stressful, remember to allow time for balance. For many people, sports are a fun activity. We created a fun website that’s a sports portal for when you only have a few minutes. http://www.adventurezonesports.com

If you need a walk or workout time schedule this, don’t try to do it while you’re eating lunch! Quality time management includes:

Physical (exercise, nutrition, sleep)

Intellectual (cultural, aesthetic)

Social (intimate and social relationships)

Career (school and career goal directed work)

Emotional (expression of feelings, desires)

Spiritual (quest for meaning)

It is important to keep in mind that the purpose of scheduling is not to enslave you to your planner, but rather to record your decisions about when certain things should happen.

The weekly objective list is a to-do list with additional features to further decompose tasks into smaller units and to record time estimates for the task.

Construct your plan to follow a rhythm.

Pick a time each week to plan your schedule. Even with unexpected occurrences that can impact your schedule you assist yourself in making decisions that are governed by your desire to reach your goals.

Once your week is planned you will experience clarity of focus, your tendency to be distracted will be reduced and you will be certain of your reasons for doing the things you had planned. Committing yourself to a plan you’ve made represents a renewal of your motivation for the goals and tends to increase your time on task.

#5 The last phase of the system is self-monitoring your action. Self monitoring involves paying attention to how well you are working your plan, how accurately you have planned, how well you have forecasted for various events and so on

For many people motivation isn’t a prerequisite to action…it is a result of it!

You’ll spend a lot of your time waiting in lines. At the library check-out, waiting for the bus, waiting for the light to turn green at an intersection, buying tickets, and even waiting for the professor to arrive at class… you find yourself just waiting. If you carry around a book, some photocopied reports, spreadsheets, your pda smart gadget with this MP3 management program you could be actively using time that would otherwise escape you. Plan ahead with an activity to fill this empty time.

The key to commuting time is, simply, use it or lose it. Books on tape or MP3 training are a wonderful way to multitask if you are driving, or if you are riding, the list is endless of little chores that can be accomplished. The challenge is to use that time for something productive.

Helpful tips:

OFFICE

When chatterers show up unannounced in your office be firm but polite. Suggest that you wish you had time to chat right now but absolutely do not. You realize that it’s important to get together and take your calendar out and suggest a time that might work for you because with your new time management program right now you have something scheduled.

Always putting out fires? Maybe others in your office or family need to learn how to have better time management. Chaos is normally due to poor planning. Offer to schedule a team time management planning session.

FOOD

Develop and use a rotating menu system which can include complete meals or just main dishes.

Photocopy a master shopping list so you just have to check off needed items.

Buy and cook in quantity.

Do only one large shopping trip each month for basics and staples?

Prepare quick and easy but nutritious breakfasts only.

Use food preparation and storage equipment to the maximum such as a slow cooker, freezer, microwave, food processor, and pressure saucepan.

Prepare as much in advance as possible such as lunches the night before and quantity cooking on the weekends.

Get everyone in the habit of rinsing dishes immediately after use.

CLOTHES

All family members above the age of three put away their own laundry.

Multiple hampers or baskets coded for the type of washing machine settings such as “warm wash, cold rinse” or “cold wash, cold rinse” cuts sorting time.

Locate laundry near the bathroom or the kitchen.

Put away coats, boots, etc. as soon as possible when entering the house.

Make it a house rule that what goes into the laundry basket inside out, gets washed and dried inside out — socks, underwear, T-shirts, etc.

HOUSE

Set Friday night or Saturday morning as house cleaning time for everyone.

Develop a flexible cleaning schedule so everything eventually gets done.

All family members over the age of three are responsible for their own bedrooms.

Use shelves instead of cabinets or drawers for storage; it’s easier to put something away if you don’t have to open a drawer or door.

In each room have either all or no carpeting.

Decorate with darker colors especially in high traffic areas

Use quilts or sleeping bags for easier bed making.

Wipe the bathroom sink after each use.

Clean the tub or shower before you get out of it.

Make the bed right after you get up.

Use throw rugs with rubber backs in heavy traffic areas.

Change filters on the heating/cooling system frequently to cut down on the amount of house dust.

Keep multiple sets of cleaning supplies and equipment especially if the house has more than one level.

YARD

Simplify landscaping; consolidate several flower beds into a large one.

Use low maintenance plantings.

Keep lawn care equipment in top-notch working order.

CAR

Schedule the next routine car service appointment each time you pick up the car left for servicing.

Develop a car care calendar for routine service and seasonal maintenance.

Use a master calendar to schedule chauffeuring of family members.

SHOPPING

Run several errands at the same time.

Have a morning “launching pad” as a place to collect backpacks, briefcases, papers, money, etc. the night before.

Carry a list of current sizes for everyone in the household when shopping. Do as much routine shopping (bedding, underwear, footwear, etc.) as possible by telephone or mail.

Buy an entire season’s clothing in one trip.

Buy duplicates of gifts, cards, etc.

Organize important papers and records in a filing system.

Use “sticky notes” on the bathroom mirror or by the door to remind someone of something they tend to forget, or use magnets to hold notes on metal surfaces.

Avoid Procrastination With These Simple Steps

Many of us suffer from an undiagnosable condition called procrastination. We procrastinate with everything; we put off what we could do today until tomorrow. Then, when we get to tomorrow, we procrastinate and put it off until the next tomorrow. Fortunately, you can avoid procrastination by following a few simple steps.

The first thing that you can do is to start budgeting your time. Think of all the things that you have to accomplish over the next few days and prioritize them. Think of how nice it will be to get everything done that needs to be done. Look at what the most important task on your list is and just go at it. Once you finally get that one tasks done, do not stop to celebrate. Instead of taking a break, go right into the next task.

You can avoid procrastination by avoiding breaks in between tasks. Most of the time when we finish one thing we will stop to take a quick break that will actually turn into a very long break. When that long break is done, we do not feel like returning to the next task.

You can also stop putting things off by planning your days in advance. Before you go to bed each night, you can pull out a piece of paper and make three columns. Prioritize the most important tasks in the first column, then the less important tasks in the third column. Finally, put everything else in the middle. Work out an exact schedule of when you will be getting the most important tasks from the first column done during the next day. After they are done, mark them off and the next time that you make your list, you can replenish the first column with tasks from the second column.

Time management is the answer to procrastination. Just plan out your days and you can stop putting things off right now… or tomorrow if you would rather.

Overcoming Procrastination In 5 Simple Steps

Overcoming procrastination can be one of the hardest things to do since the people who need to do this the most always delay in taking action. Procrastination is a serious example of an ‘epic’ lack of motivation which the longer it is allowed the more deeply rooted it becomes.

This ‘social disease’ can be and is the ‘killer’ of many dreams and goals. The only and most logical cure to be found is learning to how to better motivate yourself to take the necessary actions.  

Discovering how to stop procrastinating can be broken down into simply breaking old and often times psychologically based habits. Here is a simple 5 step plan to help you overcome your lack of motivation and take charge of your life once again.

Sort and Prioritize

One common reason for procrastination is due to the overwhelming feeling you can get from having too many things that need to be done. This feeling can severely hinder your ability to motivate yourself. The problem can be handled in a logical manner by sorting out your ‘to do’ list. By prioritizing them into a workable list according to their urgency, time deadlines or overall importance you now know where to start.

Simplify Tasks

Some ‘undertakings’ may be intimidating due to the enormity of the goal itself. Something like this typically involves many steps and/or tasks to be completed before the goal is reached therefore it is common for people to put it off. The best approach for this is to break this goal down into a series of steps and focus only on the immediate task at hand. The result will be since your focus isONLY on the immediate task you are not allowing the size of the overall project to intimidate or overwhelm you.

Peak Performance Time

Everybody has got a particular time of the day or night that they find themselves the most productive. This may be due to your energy level or perhaps a there are less demands upon your time. It matters not what the reasons are just determine when it is the easiest time to motivate yourself and schedule time to complete some of those tasks you have been putting off.

A quick note here and something to be consider with any of these steps is perhaps only schedule a little at a time. As you begin to see results it will be easier for you to motivate yourself to tackling even larger tasks or goals. With results comes confidence and a surge of energy to accomplish even more.

Schedule the Time

We spoke of scheduling some tasks during your most productive hours and that should give you the added energy or ‘edge’ to make some progress. Well a ‘spin’ on that would be to take a task and simply schedule it into your ‘work’ day for completion like any other item you may have scheduled for that day.

By incorporating it into the ‘routine’ of your day you are NOT allowing it to build up the psychological barrier that develops when it is repeatedly ‘put off’ till later. This barrier builds up a lack of motivation and a feeling of dread. By scheduling and completing it within the course of a busy day its seems easier since no barrier or dread has a chance to build.

Just Do It!

Sometimes it works best just to grab an assignment or unfinished task you are not too fond of and simply complete it without any prior ‘dread’ or anticipation. As I mentioned earlier our lack of motivation offer stems from a psychological barrier and it is normally one we create ourselves. The more we ‘dread’ something the more dreadful it actually becomes and this feeling is something we create.

Overcoming procrastination is simply a matter of breaking old habits and restoring your lack of motivation to accomplish even the smallest of tasks. Learning how to stop procrastinating draws parallels with learning how to motivate yourself since motivation is the root of the problem. The simple 5 step plan reviewed above targets restoring your drive. By ‘chipping away’ at these old habits new ones can then be developed. The results will allow you to once again become the ‘pilot’ of your life instead of simply a passenger along for the ride. This will now put the goals and dreams that have eluded you in the past back within your reach.

Find More Procrastination Articles

Four Steps to Overcome Procrastination

Procrastination can be perpetual or it can be situational. Neither is beneficial and both require the same actions to resolve. Perpetual procrastinators know who they are. They need to follow the four steps listed below to establish a history of successful decisions and actions to overcome their tendency to procrastinate. Situational procrastinators, on the other hand, need to understand what is happening and take the four steps to insure that they don’t transition into perpetual procrastinators.

The financial crisis of 2008, 9/11 and the loss of a loved one are all examples of times in my life when I have been prone to procrastination. Oh sure, I go through the motions to complete the tasks that are in front of me, but deep down inside, there is a void or uncertainty that drains me.

Part of it may come from feeling like a frustrated victim of things that happen beyond our control. Part of it may come from the pressure arising from the shock of the event. Part of it may come from a loss of self confidence as the result of being blind sided by the unanticipated. 

Whatever the cause, the result is an internal conflict between taking action immediately and waiting until there is a clearer picture of the future. 

As the author of “Taking Aim for Better Decision-Making”, I know that procrastinating, is in effect, relinquishing control of the situation. Without control and taking responsibility, we all become victims. Yet, there is a fear that I don’t have the knowledge to make a good decision right now and I don’t want to make a mistake.

In most cases an immediate response is not necessary.  Taking time to allow the emotions of the event to subside and to gather basic information is a logical next step. Procrastination beyond that point only reinforces that feeling of victimhood and the resulting lack of confidence. It is important that we remember these basic truths to help us take the appropriate steps to regain control and freedom from fear. 

Truth #1. Understand. We are always faced with incomplete knowledge, unintended consequences and luck. 

Truth #2. Decisions can be changed.

Truth #3. Simplify. If something seems to be too complex or difficult, break it down to the most basic issue or issues.

Truth #4. Take action. We are responsible for how we feel, so act and restore your energy, freedom and sense of purpose.

Taking the issue too seriously makes it more difficult to address. Take the stress out of the equation if possible. Treat this like a game and enjoy the fact that you have taken action and can take action at any time. Celebrate the fact that you are responsible and in control of your own life. 

 

 

How to Overcome Laziness And Procrastination In 3 Simple Steps

No matter what kind of social demographic you belong to, you need to learn how to overcome laziness and procrastination.

These “evils” limit you in a lot more ways than you know. They block your growth and encourage all sorts of negative behavior. Nobody has really achieved anything by delaying, or not taking action on, important tasks.

If you want to learn how to overcome laziness and procrastination, this is the best place to start.

Step 1: Exercise.

You might not think exercise can give you the motivational push you need, but that’s just your laziness talking. True, the thought of doing physical activities sounds like too much work for your lazy body, but you must understand what exercise can do for you.

Try getting up just this one time and start moving your arms about, start marching in place and practice some of the basic exercise steps. Even doing these for a few minutes will help you boost your energy power, thus dissipating the feeling of laziness and the urge to procrastinate.

Another good way of boosting your energy is by taking a short walk outside.

Step 2: Make Your Goals Public.

The next step on how to overcome laziness and procrastination is by creating a list of things to do and making it public. Keeping the list to yourself makes it easy for you to just postpone what you have to do for another day.

Making your goals public, on the other hand, gives you pressure. Instead of lazing around, you feel compelled to get to work right away in order to avoid being embarrassed in front of your peers.

Step 3: Reward Yourself.

Another great motivation on how to overcome laziness and procrastination is the reward system. Tell yourself that you will buy yourself something you’ve always wanted if you finish this particular task.

In a way, it also teaches you the value of dedicated work. You don’t have to give yourself something expensive. Small rewards like an hour’s massage or a nice latte ought to do the trick.

Learning how to overcome laziness and procrastination is undoubtedly one of the most difficult challenges you have to go through. After all, you are fighting with yourself. You’re being pulled in two directions. One hand is telling you that you have a lot more responsibilities to deal with, while the other hand is telling you to just relax and make yourself comfortable on the couch.

In the end, it all comes down to how disciplined you are. Exercising, going public with your goals and rewarding yourself are ways by which you can overcome your laziness and procrastination, and improve your discipline as well.

12 Steps for Overcoming Procrastination and Reach for Success

Avoidance, procrastination, overwhelmed, perfectionism are all the daggers in the heart of efficiency. Use the following tips to overcome procrastination in your life.

1. Write it down, Write it down. There are many details that you have to remember in any given day, why should you try to keep it all in your memory? At the very moment that you remember something needs to be done, the very best thing to do is get it to your memory device. Then, just when you need to recall it, it will be available for you in an instant.

2. There Can only Be One! Keep it all in one place. Once you have developed the knack of writing everything down, your next step will be to keep your writing/recording it all in one place. Otherwise, you are going to spend valuable time procrastinating. Notice as you tend to search for your notes, you conveniently procrastinate more as you engage in a number of elaborate preparatory activities, all along you are avoiding success.

3. Stay fit, stay healthy. A keen memory is a well-nourished mind. Eat healthy; get plenty of sleep and lots of good exercise. These will all see you through to having the energy to do more and to having a good memory that stays focused and alert.

4. Get it out of your head. Record your every thought. You might find yourself driving when a good idea comes to mind or you might recall something that you really need to write down. No need to pull over and start writing, record the idea instead on that wonderful MP3 player or IPOD that you received for the holidays. If yours does not record, well get one! This way you will be better organized and it is safer then digging around your bag for one more electronic device. Use your handy recorder to be your second eyes and ears.

5. Deliver advance warning. Step into the future and call ahead to yourself. When you are at the office and you want to do something when you arrive at your next destination, call ahead to your answering device and leave yourself a message. Better yet, if you have the new VOIP (voice over internet or cable services,your messages are with you all day. They follow you; hence you have another organizing tool to help stop the procrastination. As soon as you get to your destination, you can listen to your message and execute on what needs to be done ASAP.

6. Have confidence in yourself. Avoid the perfectionist mode. Not everything has to be perfect. You will notice the world is very imperfect and it has survived. If you keep thinking I am forgetting something and saying you have a bad memory, you will probably continue to have a bad memory and you will do nothing. It is important to have a motivated, I CAN remember and I CAN DO success attitude. Remember, some procrastination is purely a lack of self confidence that is being covered over with the perfection syndrome. You end up feeling you can’t get the job done, so stop the excuses and have faith in yourself and stay motivated.

7. Build email reminders. You can type in what you want to remember, such as a buy milk reminder versus the reminder to buy Christmas gadget for your nephew, or special event. You will receive an e-mail reminder when the date is approaching. This is a terrific way to jog your memory by using internet technology.

8. Love those sticky notes. Want to remember something prior to leaving your home? Just mark it down on a Post-It Note and stick it to the inside of your door. Get the ones with the bright, neon colors; post them where you have to see them. Need to make an urgent call first thing in the morning? Leave a Post-It Note on your telephone. Need an oil change, need to pay a ticket; leave a Post-It Note on the windshield.

9. Create Visual memory joggers. Visual reminders will help you remember and stay focused. Use visual reminders for remembering your goals. If your goal is to take a trip to a Barcelona or Tahiti in a few years, keep a magazine photograph of Barcelona right on your desk or on your refrigerator. If your goal is to lose 25 lbs. in five months, maybe a current picture of the successful new you or for some of us the old de-motivated you is motivation enough to stop the procrastination and move towards your goals.

10. Use timers and alarms. Take advantage of all the electronics that you carry with you. Who doesn’t have an alarm on their cell phone? Do what I do, set alarm clocks and timers throughout your day. Have a 30 minute activity; make sure it doesn’t run over its allocated time for the day. Want to leave for the ladies luncheon by 6 p.m.? Set your cell phone to beep a few minutes before it is time to go and jog your new no procrastination mindset. Make sure you get to the next activity on your schedule.

11. Multitask better. Not enough time in the day, but you need to get more done. The key to successful multitasking is to plan two activities in advance and avoid giving precedence to more interesting, easier, and less urgent tasks. Look at your to do list and combine activities. When going up stairs, take something, there is always something waiting. Do your laundry and exercise. As mentioned in step above, set your alarm and create your wash and exercise period of the day. The key is planning not random multitasking.

12. Do not forget time is money. Time is a precious commodity so remember that the reason we work is to use time to make money and feel a sense of accomplishment. Stop waiting until the very last minute to start working. Why not make the most efficient use of time and improve your chances of making more money in less time. Why self sabotage you? Procrastination means you are being inefficient and therefore stopping yourself from reaching your goals. Build success through the use time and money will follow.

Learn to use your mind, your friends and your colleagues to help you stop procrastinating. We need to force ourselves to use the tools and technologies of the day to help support us in reaching our goals.

8 Simple Steps to Improve Your Time Management

8 Simple Steps to Improve Your Time Management

Free Online Articles Directory

Why Submit Articles?
Top Authors
Top Articles
FAQ
AB Answers

Publish Article

0 && $.browser.msie ) {
var ie_version = parseInt($.browser.version);
if(ie_version Hello Guest
Login

Login via

Register
Hello
My Home
Sign Out

Email

Password


Remember me?
Lost Password?

Home Page > Self Improvement > Time Management > 8 Simple Steps to Improve Your Time Management

8 Simple Steps to Improve Your Time Management

Edit Article |

Posted: Dec 24, 2009 |Comments: 0

|

Share

]]>

Syndicate this Article

Copy to clipboard

8 Simple Steps to Improve Your Time Management

By: Richard

About the Author

Download free eBooks with master resell rights

Free Marketing Resources

(ArticlesBase SC #1619776)

Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/ – 8 Simple Steps to Improve Your Time Management

Are you a person who just can’t seem to manage tour time properly? If you been having problems at work or at home, there is a good possibility that those problems might be caused by your inability to manage your time correctly. But the good news is that there are few steps you can take to improve your time management. I have listed 8 simple steps bellow.

First: You need to know that you have a problem.

Acknowledgement and understating that you may have a time management problem is the first step to changing you behavior. Although it is typical to be late for social event or work, it is something that should not happen on a regular basis. If it is, it is time to understand that you may have a problem.

Second: You have to decide to change

Just knowing that you have a problem with time management is important but wanting and changing it is even more important. You have to set goals for yourself and you have to stick to the program to achieve these goals as this will provide you with motivation. Some simple goals may include showing up to dinner dates on time for two month or maybe sticking to a workout schedule for few months without slacking off.

Third: You have to stick to your Goals.

Just coming up with few time management goals for you to meet is important but not enough. You have to stick to these goals and not give up when you are faced with some complications. Make sure you stick to the goals you have set for yourself.

Fourth: Consider creating daily task lists

Writing up a task list for yourself is quite an easy way to manage your time. In reality it is probably one of the easiest ways that you can take. Write everything you need to in a day and make sure you list your tasks in order of importance and make sure you do them.

Five: Use and rely on time management tools

Correctly managing your time is important, but sometimes it can be quite hard for some people to get used to. If you one of those people you should consider using time management tools. Simple tools you can use are cell phones and computers as they all come with alerts, diaries, alarm clocks and many more.

Six: You should learn how to say “NO”

In reality there always will be times when you may be unable to refuse a task at home or at work, but you have to try and not to take more than you can accomplish. If you have to consider looking into outside help with your projects. At home you may consider hiring a housecleaner to help you out at work you may have to turn for help to a colleague.

Seven: Get yourself Organized.

Organization is one of the most important keys to being able to correctly manage your time. If you are unorganized you quite possibly wasting a huge amount of time. For example at work you waste time by searching for misplaced items like documents or stationary. At home you may spend time watching TV instead of doing the jobs which need doing. Make sure you get organized it will save you heaps of time to do your usual tasks.

Eight: Consider Hiring Professional Help.

As I have mentioned before if you are overwhelmed with work or at home you may want to find a professional help like house cleaner or consider hiring a contractor ho help you out at work. In nothing works then there are companies and individuals out there who specialize in coaching people on how to manage time and get organized in life but consider this as your last resort.

Retrieved from “http://www.articlesbase.com/time-management-articles/8-simple-steps-to-improve-your-time-management-1619776.html”

(ArticlesBase SC #1619776)

Richard -
About the Author:

Download free eBooks with master resell rights

Free Marketing Resources

]]>

Rate this Article

1
2
3
4
5

vote(s)
0 vote(s)

Feedback
RSS
Print
Email
Re-Publish

Source:  http://www.articlesbase.com/time-management-articles/8-simple-steps-to-improve-your-time-management-1619776.html

Article Tags:
time management, 8 simple steps to improve your time management, improve your time management, self help, help yourself

Related Videos

Related Articles

Latest Time Management Articles
More from Richard

Ratchet & Clank Future: A Crack in Time Review

Travel back and forth through space and time as Adam Sessler reviews ‘Ratchet & Clank Future: A Crack in Time’ for the PlayStation 3. (02:53)

Ratchet and Clank Future: A Crack in Time Weapons Trailer

Weapons make the Lombax, and Ratchet & Clank: A Crack in Time will have plenty to go around. (01:28)

Ratchet and Clank Future: A Crack in Time Constructo Trailer

Tired of purchasing a weapon for every occasion? Ratchet & Clank Future: A Crack in Time details the constructo line of gadgets designed to make your life easier on the battlefield. (02:28)

Ratchet and Clank Future: A Crack in Time Replay Trailer

With the amount of features inside of Insomniac’s Ratchet & Clank Future: A Crack in Time, you’ll be up to your Lombax ears in replay value. (04:03)

Basic Time Management Skills

In this video, Sean McArdle discusses effective time management skills. (00:54)

How One Can Achieve 10 Simple Steps To Self Motivation

Every day of your life you are selling yourself, nothing happens until you’re successful at doing that.

By:
Juliet Spaldingl
Self Improvementl
Jul 22, 2010

How To Beat Procrastination In Simple Steps

One of the better means that can be employed to beat procrastination is being aware of how to manage time in the best and most effective manner and though procrastination is a very common occurrence in our lives, there is still a need to overcome procrastination so that many of the adverse consequences of

By:
Hiram Oconnorl
Self Improvementl
Mar 03, 2010

Sales Management Training: Protect Your Company From (sales) Identity Theft in 3 Simple Steps…

As a Sales Management Training Consultant, I often notice business cards from salespeople with titles that require some effort to decipher.

By:
Rod McKinnisl
Self Improvementl
May 20, 2008
lViews: 259

Simple Steps to Healthy Glowing Skin This New Year

If you want healthier looking skin, there are four simple steps to take that can help you on your way to a radiant complexion.

By:
andrew.regan.2006@googlemail.coml

Health>
Wellnessl
Jan 18, 2008

12 Simple Steps To Avoid Burn Out

Many people experience burnout at some point in their lives, but few are as susceptible to it as business owners and the self-employed. After all, your income and the future of your business depend upon your ability to perform at your peak and make the right decisions, all the…

By:
Susan Martinl

Business>
Managementl
Mar 06, 2007

The 7 Simple Steps to Solving All Your Problems

In life, whether it be in personal matters or business affairs, things do not always go to plan and you are certain to encounter problems at some stage.But in this article you can discover the simple steps you can take to overcome them.

By:
Tony Halll
Self Improvementl
Apr 21, 2008

Simple Steps Guaranteed To Help You To Highlight Your Transitional Skills – Job Seekers Tips

As an individual you have many transitional skills. Find out how to use these to your advantage in your search for employment.

By:
Samantha Pearcel

Careers>
Resumesl
Feb 19, 2010

Time and the correct management

Remember that small changes often make the biggest differences in time management. To be able to have more focus, turn off the alert for new messages on your mobile device or computer. New message alerts are one of the worst interrupters at work.

By:
joeyl

Self Improvement>
Time Managementl
Dec 10, 2010

Time Management Quotes

Time Management Quotes can help you get back on schedule. Here are some of the best ones out there. These are sure to inspire you!

By:
culpetml

Self Improvement>
Time Managementl
Dec 10, 2010

Essential Guidelines on How to Manage Time

The following article presents you four of the most important time management techniques that will help you to save a lot of time.

By:
Steve Muellerl

Self Improvement>
Time Managementl
Dec 08, 2010

Do You need More Time in Your Day? Here are 8 Steps You Can Take Now

Time is our most valuable resource. You can’t make anymore. Once it is gone, irt is gone. The best we can do is manage our time effectively. If you are finding your time is slipping through your fingers, here are some ways you can regain control.

By:
Bob Lowryl

Self Improvement>
Time Managementl
Dec 07, 2010

You can not turn time back – but you can save it

Your time is filled from morning to night and dream that the day extended to at least 30 hours? You head to work, cooking dinner, making the charges, and in addition the whole street is in a gigantic traffic jam? See for yourself

By:
jerzy jagielskil

Self Improvement>
Time Managementl
Dec 07, 2010

The Year In Gratitude – A New Perspective On The Retrospective

Many content publishers – in all medias – like to do a “Year in Review” piece to sum up what they believe was important during the last year. This article puts a new twist on the concept by looking at the last – trying – year from the prospective of gratitude. That is, what occurred during the last year for which I am thankful.

By:
Paul H. Burtonl

Self Improvement>
Time Managementl
Dec 06, 2010

Improve Your Time Management By Achieving More With Less

Look around and everywhere you’ll see stressed out individuals obsessed with time management and how to be more productive. This article seeks to educate on the universal laws of success and provides some wisdom to achieving far more with less by getting into creative flow .

By:
Kath Robertsl

Self Improvement>
Time Managementl
Dec 01, 2010

Good Anger Management comes from good Time Management

A common example is when you don’t leave a realistic amount of time to get somewhere. You get in your car and get angry at other drivers and red lights that are slowing you down. Unnecessary “road rage” can be the result and is a common reason many people are ordered to an anger management class.

By:
Shannon Munfordl

Self Improvement>
Time Managementl
Dec 01, 2010

Health Benefits Of Quitting Smoking

Quitting smoking has a numerous health benefits and they start from the moment that you breathe out your last puff. Unfortunately, you possibly might feel like you are leaving a bad symptom.

By:
Richardl
Healthl
Mar 07, 2010
lViews: 497

The Ugly Effects Of Smoking

Tobacco or cigarette smoking is an addictive habit which is quite popular among teenagers and young adults these days. Because cigarettes have large amount of nicotine (highly addictive drug) in order to get users hooked up. So there is no surprise that the millions people worldwide finding it really hard to quit smoking.

By:
Richardl
Healthl
Mar 03, 2010
lViews: 154

The Cost Of Smoking

The Cost of Smoking It just might be more then you can think! If you take a closer look into your life you most probably will find lots of different ways to save money. As a smoker, you might be surprised but you literally have a gold mine in your life. Smoking is costing a small fortune. If you can quit the amount of money you will be able to save will amaze you if not shock you

By:
Richardl
Healthl
Mar 03, 2010
lViews: 124

Internet Marketing The Human Appeal Trick

Everyone just loves a good story. This is one of the reasons why you should become a good story teller especially in the online marketing arena. Another clear reason is that if you can associate a great story with your products sales page then you defiantly have a top seller on your hands.

By:
Richardl

Internet>
Internet Marketingl
Feb 01, 2010

Tips For Giving Flowers For Valentine’S Day

Flowers are defiantly one of the most popular presents for a man to give to a woman on Valentine’s Day. In reality the flowers are so popular that in most cases men give flowers together with some other gift as an addition instead of giving flowers as a gift. But the problem lies not with giving the flowers but in choosing the flowers, allot of man quite often make the mistake of thinking that red roses are the only choice of flowers

By:
Richardl
Relationshipsl
Feb 01, 2010
lViews: 149

Spending Valentine’S Day Alone

If you are in a committed relationship and your partner is away or you just don’t have a date for Valentine’s Day and spending this day alone, for some people can be quite sad. But spending that day alone does not necessarily have to be a sad day. This article will look at some tips and pointers on how to have fun on Valentine’s Day if you are spending it alone.

By:
Richardl
Relationshipsl
Jan 28, 2010
lViews: 109

Valentines Day Gift Ideas

Valentine’s Day is probably one of the most important and special day of the year for most of the couples. Now days there are a number of people who will argue that Valentine’s Day is a commercialized holiday and the only purpose of it is to make people buy presents cards and spend money in general. On the other hand there are people who do not care about the reasons behind the Valentine’s Day they are just happy to have a day in a year when they can plan a romantic day for someone they love.

By:
Richardl
Relationshipsl
Jan 26, 2010

Simple Valentine’s Day Date Ideas

For most couples Valentine’s Day is the day of the year when they really want to spend time together with their partner and show them how much they care and love them. But quite allot of people have trouble planning a perfect Valentine’s Day.

By:
Richardl
Relationshipsl
Jan 09, 2010
lViews: 272

Add new Comment

Your Name: *

Your Email:

Comment Body: *

 

Verification code:*

* Required fields

Submit

Your Articles Here
It’s Free and easy

Sign Up Today

Author Navigation

My Home
Publish Article
View/Edit Articles
View/Edit Q&A
Edit your Account
Manage Authors
Statistics Page
Personal RSS Builder

My Home
Edit your Account
Update Profile
View/Edit Q&A
Publish Article
Author Box

Richard has 29 articles online

Contact Author

Subscribe to RSS

Print article

Send to friend

Re-Publish article

Articles Categories
All Categories

Advertising
Arts & Entertainment
Automotive
Beauty
Business
Careers
Computers
Education
Finance
Food and Beverage
Health
Hobbies
Home and Family
Home Improvement
Internet
Law
Marketing
News and Society
Relationships
Self Improvement
Shopping
Spirituality
Sports and Fitness
Technology
Travel
Writing

Self Improvement

Addictions
Advice
Coaching
Goal Setting
Law of Attraction
Motivational
NLP Hypnosis
Psychology
Public Speaking
Self Help
Stress Management
Time Management

]]>

Need Help?
Contact Us
FAQ
Submit Articles
Editorial Guidelines
Blog

Site Links
Recent Articles
Top Authors
Top Articles
Find Articles
Site Map

Webmasters
RSS Builder
RSS
Link to Us

Business Info
Advertising

Use of this web site constitutes acceptance of the Terms Of Use and Privacy Policy | User published content is licensed under a Creative Commons License.
Copyright © 2005-2010 Free Articles by ArticlesBase.com, All rights reserved.

Find More Time Management Articles

Kick the Procrastination Habit in 4 Easy Steps

Copyright (c) 2008 Pat Brill

Over time we have developed habits to deal with many areas of our lives. What thoughts we think, what we do, how we do it or if we do it are all indicators of our habits. All repetitive activities seem to generate a habit.

What about the “procrastination” habit? Basically, procrastination is defined as avoiding doing a task that needs to be done…putting the activity off until tomorrow.

When you create a “procrastination” habit, you reduce your ability to function effectively. This habit is controlling you and can be a hard habit to break. If you believe that procrastination is an issue in your life, what would it look like to no longer choose to resist doing something?

Use the 4-step process below to help you stop resisting what is important for you to do…one small step at a time.

Step 1: Evaluation

Generally, most of us don’t procrastinate with everything we do, rather we have select areas that we are more apprehensive about and resist handling them effectively. The resistance could be in the form of just not doing it or doing the activity at the very last moment when the pressure is on.

Take the time to do some honest self-assessment around the areas of procrastination in your life. Remember, you probably don’t procrastinate around everything you do, so create a list of those areas that you resist…and how you go about it. For example, you resist completing a report at work (your issue) and you wait until the last moment (how you procrastinate). Look to see if there are any themes in your procrastination as it will help you better understand what is motivating you to procrastinate.

As you create this list, eliminate the need to judge yourself. This is an assessment and judgments will block your ability to make any changes.

Most of the time people procrastinate because they are fearful of their performance, have not judged correctly how much time an activity will take, have too many activities on their To Do lists, or get overwhelmed by the project and don’t know how to break it down.

Step 2: Selection

Overcoming the procrastination habit takes time. It’s best to start slow. Choose an area that can be managed. Keep it simple so you are successful in your quest to decreasing your need to procrastinate.

For example, what if you procrastinate around paying the bills? What could you put in place that would help you handle this issue more effectively?

Here is a simple system to handle the bill paying process:

-When bills come in, where do they go? Choose one place to put the bills immediately.

-How often do you pay the bills? Choose a weekly, every two weeks, or monthly system…whatever system that allows you to be on time with paying the bills.

-Select a day/time that you regularly sit down to pay your bills. Put this time in your calendar. Choose a time that you can actually perform the work. If you have children, choosing Saturday afternoon may not be realistic, whereas, Monday night at 8:00 pm could be perfect.

What if you are trying to do too much?

-Select 3 “must do’s” each day and tackle them first.

-If you have more time, add 2 more tasks and complete them.

-Over time you will see a list of activities that keep being pushed forward to another day. Now is the time to evaluate whether they are important to you or you need to let them go. If they are important, can you delegate some of your tasks to someone who would be willing to assist you?

Step 3: Share It

Tell others what you are trying to do…and ask for their support. Think about how they can best support you. I find that when I reach out to others I receive some great ideas that help me be more effective with my commitment. Maybe you can find another “procrastinator” and buddy up to support each other in change.

Step 4: Celebrate

Reward yourself for accomplishing what you set out to do. Know before you start what you will reward yourself with. As soon as you accomplish your small goal, celebrate by rewarding yourself.

Make sure the reward is something you like to do. Time is always an issue for most people, so your reward needs to be realistic…something you can do in an hour. Take a bubble bath, buy a new book, or make time to read your favorite magazine.

Final Thought

There really isn’t a tomorrow, only a today. Choose what is important to you today.

Remember, small steps are wonderful and bring more energy into your life. This is your personal journey in creating more joy in your life.

Time Management Techniques Can Increase Production ? Steps Guaranteed to Cure or Kill ? Part 1

Time Management is a big subject. I mean, you can actually branch into philosophy on this one, and I could make some hearty study recommendations to anyone who is serious about tapping into the magic of controlling time. But before we go off the deep end, let’s at least make an effort to discover what we individually can do to improve our use of time.

We seem to be constantly falling behind, striving to catch up, or despairing under the work load that burdens us. So we longingly wonder if there is any way to control or manage time. Happily, the answer is Yes. It begins with defining your terms. If you are thinking of it as “sands trickling through the hour glass,” time will always control you. So first let’s nail down some more workable definitions.

TIME: Point at which something happens. [Merriam Webster’s]

MANAGEMENT: The process of dealing with or controlling things or people. [New Oxford Dictionary]

That makes time management a process of deciding what you want to occur with things and people, and getting it to happen. The opposite of time management would be letting things slide. If you are letting things slide, your company, your career, your life is likely to be most unsatisfying. The fun really begins when we grab the steering wheel of our own lives and hit the accelerator.

Here is a step by step procedure you can do in your office or home that could dramatically improve your time management – practical actions guaranteed to cure or kill. Why should you take the trouble to learn better control of time? You will secure for yourself a much accelerated, far more rewarding future. So let’s begin.

 

Set aside a few hours some evening or weekend. From an office store pick up a set of 3 communication baskets for yourself and each member of your business or family and some file folders. Go to your desk, table or workspace and brace yourself for the toughest moment. Pull out every unanswered letter, memo or dispatch, anything incomplete with your finances, all the half-done projects, everything incomplete you have lying around anywhere, and put them ALL on your desk. This includes papers piling up on your dresser, in the trunk of your car, in your briefcase – drag it all out.

 

Hey,I know about your email in-box with 500+ pending emails, but let’s leave that out of the picture for now and just stick with the solid stuff.

How much will you find? I worked with a CPA in Houston who had a desk the size of a barge. He disappeared on the other side of the desk on this step, with stacks of paper and boxes several feet high.

Even worse, I once did this action on a business owner in San Diego and when we got to his home office, he broke the news to me that everything wouldn’t all fit on his desk. He took me to see his “pending” 3-car garage. It was piled to the ceiling with incomplete projects and stuff. He was pointing out things to me when he discovered a motorcycle buried in there he had forgotten he owned! (True story.)

5. The next step can also be a bit gruesome at first but rapidly gets better as you go through it. You do one of the “four D’s” on each item, one at a time.

 

 

DO IT. DUMP IT. DELEGATE IT. DELAY IT.

 

Pick up and handle just one item at a time per the four D’s. Just plow through it. One lady chiropractor burst into tears when I asked her to pick up the first piece of paper atop the huge pile in front of her. Surely you’re tougher than that. The worst it could do is kill you.

Here are some rules of thumb. If you can knock it out in 10 minutes or less, JUST DO IT.

If it’s not a valuable document, and you haven’t needed it in the last 6 months (or if you can pull it off the web when you need it), DUMP IT.

If it’s really not your job, DELEGATE IT to whoever should do it, getting their agreement as needed (for now just put it in one of the baskets you procured and put a name label on it.

6. When you have handled every particle, those papers and projects that remain go into your pending stack, which we will take up in Time Management Techniques Guaranteed to Cure or Kill – Part 2. Meanwhile, here are some additional tips when you are doing the “4D’s.”

WARNING! Do Not Just Shuffle Papers

I worked with a financial planner in Sacramento who operated from his sprawling ranch-style home, working off his kitchen table. When I commented that it seemed an unusual place to run his business, he asked if I wanted to see his office! It was piled so high that he had had to move to his kitchen table to work. His huge walk-in pantry was filled to the roof with papers and documents that he just shuffled and put back, not completing a thing, saving everything for “when he had time.”

When I asked where he had learned to handle work like that he told me about his former boss, a CPA. It turned out that CPA had gone bankrupt. Probing further, his father had the same habit pattern. And as a result, his kids (including my client) had recently moved him into an old folks home, not because he had health problems; he had just filled his home so full of stuff that he wouldn’t throw out that he could no longer move around in it!

You can go a bit extreme in the other direction, too. A VP in a subsidiary of Johnson & Johnson had just returned from a 2-week vacation the day we were starting his Productivity & Time Management program. When we got to the 4 D’s, he asked his secretary if she’d taken all the important documents out of a stack about two feet high, and when she said yes, he took the entire stack and dropped it in the trash, commenting to the startled consultant that if it was important, they’d write him back. This is not recommended.

This is a very challenging regimen. In fact, it may be too tough for most mere mortals.  The end result can be astounding. Here’s a hint. We have had conservative business executives get up on their desk and do a jig when they completed these steps. Maybe you will, too! Now you are ready for Part 2.

Copyright© 2009 Creative Business Strategies, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

www.averagegoddess-freebook.com www.thegoddesswithinmovie.com Learn effective time management techniques, skills, and tools for overcoming procrastination. Get free tips that are as useful for employees in the workplace as for students in the classroom.

4 Steps To Avoid Procrastination And How To End It Now

In deciding not to procrastinate, you may want to accompany this determination with clear cut and well defined goals.

In other words, have a goal that is quantified, and not just qualified.

For example, saying “I will lose weight” is NOT as powerful as “I will lose 35 pounds in 1-1/2 years.” These are concrete data you can work with. “I will lose weight” sounds noble enough, but let’s count the ways, shall we?

Tip # 1 Everything starts and ends with the self

If someone said to you that you were a procrastinator, your immediate reaction would be to defend yourself. “It’s his fault”, “My mother was like that too”, “I was forced to do something I didn’t want to do”.

Some people like to blame their misfortunes on others. But the truth is, you are equally at fault. You procrastinate because you yourself choose to procrastinate. The sooner you accept that, the better you’ll be able to overcome procrastination.

Tip # 2 I want NOT to procrastinate anymore

In line with tip # 1 above, once you accept that procrastination is your weakness, the next step is to eliminate this weakness. Your desire not to procrastinate anymore should be sincere. You need to demonstrate that determination through small daily gestures.

Tip # 3 Mea Culpa-Take Responsibility

You’ve accepted the fact that (a) you’re a procrastinator, and (b) you have a sincere desire to change. Now tell yourself that if you fail to achieve a particular goal or a given task, it’s because you procrastinated. Mea culpa. Admitting guilt is a giant step.

Note, however, that there is a huge difference between admitting guilt and being too hard on yourself. Admitting guilt is taking ownership of your actions. Being too hard on yourself is unjustified self-blame. Continue from where you left off.

Tip # 4 Ask: In what ways do I procrastinate?

Ask yourself, “In what ways do I procrastinate?” Sit down with pen and paper. Writing them will help you focus and identify them more clearly. Here are some ways where people procrastinate:

1) paying bills which includes your electricity bills, handphone bills, mortgage bills etc

2) not discussing the complaints you’ve received about a member of your team for fear of hurting his/her feelings

3) repeatedly postponing a dental appointment because you’ve got better things to do

4) not returning the call of your son’s teacher because you know what the problem is and you’re fed up

5) not discussing your resentment about your husband spending too much time at work or with his buddies

6) not getting that hair cut, that dress dry-cleaned, that donation mailed

7) not visiting a sick relative in the hospital

8) not telling your significant other you no longer love her/him

9) not calling your doctor about that persistent numbness in your right arm or not fixing a colonoscopy exam date

10) not having the car’s squeaking brakes checked

11) not going to confession because you never know what the priest’s schedule is

12) not sending that overdue thank you note or making that overdue call to your mother-in-law.