Dr. Ron's top 10 time management strategies

Sep 13, 2009

Editor's note: The Coaches Corner column appears regularly on the DrBicuspid.com advice and opinion page, Second Opinion.

If you want some concrete and productive steps to assure you that you will accomplish more in the time you have, achieve your goals in less time, and reduce your stress at the same time, try implementing the following strategies:

Create/develop your "important" list.
What do you value most? List them. Then prioritize the list. Then work on No. 1 and don't go to the next one until you have completed the first.
Clarify your goals (daily, weekly, monthly, annually).
When developing these goals, make them SMART: specific, measurable, attainable, realistic but a stretch, and time lines/target dates.
Begin each day with a review of your important list.
We achieve what we think about most. Keep the most important ideas foremost in your mind.
End each day with "LBNT."
Review at the end of the day what you Liked Best and what you would do differently Next Time.
Tackle the unpleasant tasks first.
We all have things we don't like to do, yet their prompt completion is a major key to our success.
Keep your "must do" list limited.
Limit the major types of tasks to no more than four per day, particularly if they require substantial time and energy. This avoids sabotage, frustration, and feeling overwhelmed.
Ask yourself: Who else can do this?
Free up your time by delegating any and all tasks that can be handled by a capable person.
T + 50%
Estimate how much time you will need for a task, then add 50% more time. You will need it. Plan for interruptions.
Touch it only once.
Mail, magazines, journals, memos, etc. have a way of consuming huge amounts of time. Stop the paper shuffle. Incoming "paper" can be filed in one of four ways:
- Immediate: Take care of it now!
- This week: Separate folder and work on it this week.
- Next week: Separate folder and address the issues next week.
- When I have the time: Only mess with this when you have nothing better to do.

You choose.
You determine the optimal use of your time. Time management -- actually, event management -- is a personal choice. Rather than let situations dictate your precious time, formulate a mind-set that has you deciding what is most important. Choose to control your own life.

Ronald F. Arndt, D.D.S., M.B.A., M.A.G.D., is a co-founder of the Dental Coaches Association, an organization of dentists who are professional coaches committed to bringing professional coaching to the dental profession. Learn more about professional coaching by visiting www.dentalcoachesassociation.org.

The comments and observations expressed herein do not necessarily reflect the opinions of DrBicuspid.com, nor should they be construed as an endorsement or admonishment of any particular idea, vendor, or organization.