TIME MANAGEMENT JUNKIE 
 

Hi. My name is Janice Ferrante. 
 

I am a time management junkie. 
 

I have bought almost every time management program that I could get my hands on. 
 

I have promised myself that I will not buy another program, only to buy “one more” because I have really wanted it “for a long time”.  Yesterday is a long time to waste if you are not managing your time properly. This one will be the last. 
 

I can be found wandering through the house with a blank look on my face, headphones on my head, listening over and over to the same time management series – it seems over time that I need more and more to keep me “on top”. 
 

I have subjected my family to uncounted hours of time management CD’s while traveling in our van.  I seldom drive without a time management CD in the player. 
 

I tell myself that I am “in control”, I don’t listen to these program’s because I “need” to, but because I “want” to. I can choose anytime. 
 

I “loose” time. Sometimes I will put a lengthy series into my CD player, to emerge hours later, it seems like only minutes have passed. 
 

I realize that it is time, time to put all of the things that I have learned into action, to turn my life around for the better of myself and my family. 
 

THE 12 STEP PROGRAM 
 

The good news is that through my obsession (some say addiction) to time management techniques and viewpoints, I have been able to pinpoint a common thread.  12 to be exact. 
 

1. Prioritize – before you can be effective, you need to know what is important.  Nothing worse than spending time climbing the wrong ladder.

2. Get clear, get rid of the junk – physical, emotional and mental baggage. Get clear on your boundaries – work when you are working, play when you are playing.

3. Focus – don’t multi task. Concentrate effort in areas of highest yield (think 80/20 rule).  Actively reduce interruptions using systems and protocol.

4. Use Time Blocks – block uninterrupted for the amount of time and time of day that is in your peak performance.  The more blocks you can implement while maintaining balance, the more productive you will be. Do similar tasks together.

5. Delegation – do what you do best, delegate the rest.  What can you do that no one else can do?  What is the best use of your time right now? Do that.

6. Momentum – start a project and finish it, don’t stop and try to pick it up later, you will loose your momentum and often have to relearn the skills needed. Or you may not finish it at all. 

7. Be Self Disciplined even when you don’t feel like it. Ask yourself, is this action taking me toward my goal or away from it. Take responsibility, don’t just think about it, do it!

8. Set yourself up – pencil in planning time on a regular basis.  Review your goals and key action points daily. Climb mountains in baby steps.

9. Allow enough time – estimate how long you think it will take, and then double it.  Look after your health.  Physically fit, healthy people are more productive and energetic. Eat properly, get enough sleep, exercise (challenge yourself at least 3x per week, walk every day).

10. Be consistent. Automate by creating a routine and following it.  Make it a point to learn how to separate and systemize your routines in the 3 major areas of your life – work, family and you.

11. Don’t give up.  Revamp, reschedule, rework, but persevere. Stay cool.  Frustration and stress result in inferior results and diminished motivation. When problems arise, plan and plan again.

12. You can’t manage time, but you can manage your life.