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by Larry Johnson
1. ESTABLISH YOUR PURPOSE (MISSION) FOR LIFE
Ask yourself, "What am I living for?" "What do I want my life to count for by the time I am 75?" "What will I have want to have accomplished?" Write them down.
A happy woman is one who knows where she is going.
2. ESTABLISH YOUR GOALS
Keeping your purpose in mind, establish life-time measurable goals: five year goals, goals for the coming year, one week, one month, three, six, nine and twelve month goals. Be realistic and make your goals measurable, so you will have a sense of accomplishment when you have reached them. Don't have too many goals or you will be frustrated if you don't reach them.
3. ESTABLISH YOUR PRIORITIES
List the things that you have to do each week. Also list the things that you would like to do including some time for yourself. Think through which activities are most important. Ask yourself if each activity is necessary. Are there responsibilities that can be delegated to others? Remember that "the good is often the greatest enemy of the best."
4. MAKE TIME TO PLAN
Do yearly, seasonal and weekly planning. Evaluate if you are really accomplishing the goals that are important to you. Remember that a little planning saves you time in the long run.
5. HAVE A FLEXIBLE WEEKLY SCHEDULE
In planning, leave ample space for interruptions. Be flexible. Your schedule is to help you and not to run you. The purpose is not to cram two days into one. The purpose is to learn to life happily with time, to relax, to have the sense of satisfaction that your life is in control and you are accomplishing daily the things that are the most important to you. At first you may find it helpful to keep track of how long it takes you to do certain chores so that you can plan more realistically for the coming weeks.
Buy and use a yearly, monthly and weekly planner. Take it with you wherever you go. Keep your addresses and phone numbers in the same book.
6. LIVE ONE DAY AT A TIME
List 3 or 4 things that you would like to accomplish that day and number them according to priority. Tackle your top priority item first. Don't plan too much or you will be sure to be frustrated.
7. TIME ROBBERS
Be careful about "time robbers" -- too much talking on the phone, television, Internet, sleeping, crafts, window shopping, etc. Learn to say "no". Be selective in what you do.