Keep a time log by dividing each day into 15 minute intervals and recording how time was spent under categories like meetings, homework, reading, etc. Review the log weekly to see where time is allocated and reflect on whether this aligns with priorities, what takes significant time but doesn't contribute to goals, and how time could be used more efficiently through delegation or simplification. The log only takes a few minutes each day and provides valuable perspective on time management.
1. more precious than any amount of money, gold or silver
KEEP A TIME LOG
gain a personal sense of time
"Make sure you know where your time goes. Don't depend on memory, it's treacherous" - Peter Drucker
Keep a record of how you are spending your time, and quickly discover a truer perspective on where your
day and week goes.
Divide each day into fifteen minute intervals, and at the end of each hour briefly record how the last 60
minutes was spent. FInd a format or style that you feel comfortable with. If it helps create a list of abbrevia-
tions (and possibly add definitions) that are relevant to your current walk of life:
Some examples: Hwk = homework, M = meetings (pre arranged group meeting with or without an agenda), I =
interview (any pre arranged conversation with another individual, with a purpose), D = discussion (any talking
not classified under M or I), P = phone calls, R = reading, C = commute/travel, W = writing, K = cooking in the
kitchen, S = shopping, R = reflecting, thinking, etc...
If you are disciplined the task will only take up a few minutes a day.
Look back at the end of one or two weeks and take some time to review and reflect on the data. Group your
time under the key headings that you made, and then review and reflect asking:
1. Do the time allocations reflect your priorities in your work/family/life circumstance?
2. What are the the items which take up significant portions of your time and contribute nothing towards
your goals? What would happen if they were not done at all?
3. How much time each day was available for use at your own discretion, as opposed to being committed
time to others?
4. Could anything be done more efficiently or simplified with out causing problems?
5. Are you doing things that could be delegated to others or could others be asked to help carry some of the
workload?
TIME ACTIVITIES TIME ACTIVITIES
2. TIME ACTIVITIES TIME ACTIVITIES
Space for your own abbreviations, notes or reviews:
