To me… time management is a wonderful box… kind of like Christmas…. full of tools that we use to “burn rubber” on the pavement of life. So I got to thinking, what’s in the box?

MICROMANAGEMENT – it is utterly amazing to me what can be accomplished in one minute. And it is utterly amazing to me how quickly the minutes can fly by while I have accomplished absolutely nothing. I find that the largest threat to a productive “micro-minute” is procrastination. Make a “Do It Now” rule and your minutes will add up in a good way.

BIG PICTURE – without a big picture, it is impossible to micromanage in an effective way. The big picture is your target… literally your BIG PICTURE… the thing to shoot for. Usually it will take some time to get there. Take the time to draw it out and take the time to follow the steps to get there.

PLAN – Plan in detail the steps to follow to get where you want to go, it is your path to your Big Picture. When in doubt, imagine yourself at the end of it. Make changes as needed; it’s all part of the plan.

WEED – no point in doing a lot of senseless tasks that will only slow you down or take you nowhere. First thing, get rid of all activities and belongings that don’t fit with what you want to do. Be brutal. You can always add more when you have room for it. The flip side of the Weeding Coin is Freedom.

DELEGATE – what better way to get more done? Delegating is the single most effective way to increase your efficiency. If you aren’t doing it, think seriously about starting today.

FOCUS – I have found that the best way to focus is to block time in my day for everything I need to do. Larger amounts of lesser things each day on a rotating basis work best for me. Some people like to do larger amounts in smaller time slots. Play around until you find what ever works for you. Balance is a key word here. Think of the term “Non Negotiable Tasks”. Do them first to keep you on track, you will be amazed at how productive this habit can be.

MAKE A DECISION – the ability to make quick decisions, especially about the small things is key to effective time management. How much time do you waste making small decisions. What’s the worst that can happen if you just do it?

STICK TO IT – Time Management is just a waste of time without it self discipline.

ORDER – In order to be efficient and clear headed, you need to have everything flowing in one direction. What ever in your life is scattered will slow you down.

A SYSTEM – Without a system or consistent routine most time management programs are spinning tires to no where.

LEVERAGING – Take time to design your tasks to make things easier in the future. A simple example is freezer cooking.

OPTIMIZE – Similar to leveraging, keep everything clear and in good working order – your tools, appliances and especially your health.

DIRECTION – Where do you want to go? The first thing to do is decide. Try to keep it simple but inspiring. Follow your star.

SETTING YOURSELF UP – One step today will save you one or more tomorrow.

BITS AND BITES – I’ve accomplished so much more by taking things one bite at a time than I ever did by trying to eat the elephant in one sitting!

BALANCE – FAMILY, BIZ and YOU… They all work together to make your life great, don’t neglect any of them.

A LIMITED OPPORTUNITY– Remember every day that your time is limited, make the most of every single day in what is important to you.

Janice Ferrante is the Queen of KAOS. You can learn more about how to Conquer KAOS and take CONTROL by visiting her website at http://www.queen-of-kaos.com. Also be sure to sign up for her free ezine containing more practical tips, articles and resources at http://www.queen-of-kaos.com/qoktipssub.html .