Share

Time is a wasting asset because once it has been spent, it can never be retrieved. There is no such thing as a refund and the only re-runs are the ones that might be shown on the television. Everyone is under more pressure these days - the pace of life is faster and individuals are being asked to work longer hours sometimes with damaging consequences to their health and private life. Good time management is essential. This guide provides lots of tips on how to manage time, how to take stock of one's life, how to regain control of it and how to ease stress levels. The book covers: how to recognise the symptoms of stress; how to get more out of the working day and life in general, whilst managing stress levels; how to prioritize both at work and at home; how to say "no" to those requests that should be turned down; how to get others to say "yes"; and how to diffuse stressful situations.

 

Time is valuable - perhaps a fairly obvious thing to say, but if we all know it, why does anyone
ever procrastinate? And it's an asset - what is
known as a 'wasting' asset because when you've
spent it, you can't get it back - there's no such
thing as a refund and the only re-runs are the
ones you see on television.
Whilst it is an important first step to
recognise the value of your time, it is
also vital to remember that you should
be the one to decide how to spend it.
Some people adopt a philosophy of treating
every day as if it was their last and pack as much
into their life as they possibly can. They don't
'waste' any time but move as fast as they can
from one thing to the next. They have lots of
energy (for a while at least), get lots achieved
(but not necessarily very accurately) and their
bosses love them because they do lots.
Colleagues do not love them because they show
everyone else up.

 

This book contains lots of tips and hints which you can absorb easily into your existing work (and home) patterns to help your time management and ease your stress level. It explains how you might be contributing to your ownstress level - and what you can do about it; how you can influence others to take on some of the workload coming your way - and, even better, how you can pass on some of your work to others; how to recognise and then reduce the amount of time you 'waste'; how to prioritise - what to do first and last; how to take stock of your life in general and take control of it; and how looking after yourself can benefit everyone - especially you.

Introduction How to use this guide What you will learn from this guide Chapter one Time is a valuable asset Defining what time management means Stress can be good for you Stress that isn't so good for you The connection between time management and stress In summary Chapter two What are the symptoms of stress? How will I know if I am stressed? Some of the symptoms of stress The quick-fixes In summary Chapter three What are the causes and consequences of stress? Separating the situation from the causes of stress Your state of 'normality' Question yourself honestly How different things can cause stress Where to look for the causes of stress Moving out of your comfort zone Multiple comfort zones Secret comfort zones 40 Lacking the control you want 41 How stress can affect you - the bad news 42 In summary 44 Chapter four What others expect of you 46 Knowing what is expected of you 46 Ask others what they expect of you 48 A reality check - are the expectations reasonable? 5 1 HOW to say 'no' 53 In summary 56 Chapter five The expectations you have of yourself 58 What do you expect of yourself? 58 How fair are you with yourself? 59 How you can cause yourself to be stressed 61 How to say 'yes' to yourself 62 In summary 63 Chapter six The stress you might cause others 65 What do you expect of others? 66 Setting the right standards for others 67 The art of delegation 69 Getting others to say 'yes' 72 In summary 72 Chapter seven Anticipating problems and dealing with them 74 Panic and 'fire-fighting' 74 Think about contingencies 75 Trying to avoid problems 76 Proactive thinking time 78 In summary Chapter eight Wasting time Eliminate the obvious Where to look to eliminate wasted time Add value by what you do A problem shared and solved The impact of poor decisions Meetings - the great time waster In summary Chapter nine Structuring your day Diaries, to-do-lists and schedules Stress-free corridors of time Don't start unless you can finish Estimating how long tasks take Managing interruptions In summary Chapter ten Prioritisation Prioritising techniques Clearing the decks When priorities change In summary Chapter eleven A complete way of thinking A balance in life Achieving success in your life Looking after yourself Rewarding yourself Relax and be happy! In summary Finally You have the power - use it