Time management tips – focus first, then bust distractions

By Helene Segura | January 15, 2015 |

Back in early November, San Antonio Magazine came calling to ask for time management tips on how to increase productivity.

Writer Chris Warren and I had a great conversation, talking about the variety of pressures and productivity pitfalls people face on a daily basis. His summary of our conversation appears in San Antonio Magazine‘s January 2015 issue.

Time Management Tips

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Here’s the direct link to the article with my time management tips: An Organized Life

My fellow Certified Professional Organizer (CPO) Vanessa Hayes was also interviewed for the article. Here’s what she said.

You can download a PDF version here: An Organized Life – San Antonio Magazine – January 2015 – time management tips

Time Management Tips Summarized

In a nutshell, while tools like calendars and apps are helpful, the best way to improve your productivity is to increase your focus on the present. Know what your top three priorities are each morning before you settle into your desk (or couch or coffee shop – wherever you may work). When you’re working on that priority, set a timer to remain laser focused for at least 15 minutes at a time. It’s common practice to check email first thing in the morning, but if your priorities list has not already been set for the day, you’ll end up letting your Inbox run your entire day.

It takes practice to not allow disruptions and shiny objects to guide your day. Sticking to and viewing your list of your day’s top priorities will help you with that. Know what else will help you? Sticking to and viewing your list of your top three priorities in life. When you have a vision to work toward, you’re more likely to stick to your mission.

Time management tips – focus and bust through disruptions!

About Helene Segura

As The Inefficiency Assassin™, Time Management Fixer Helene Segura empowers professionals on the go with the tools to slay lost time. Personal inefficiency at work leads to increased stress levels, lower morale, higher absenteeism, more turnover – and rising spending on employee health care and hiring. Why not improve productivity, decrease stress levels, and increase profits instead?The author of four books – two of which were Amazon best-sellers – Helene Segura has been the featured organization expert in more than 200 media interviews. She has coached hundreds of clients to productivity success and performance improvement by applying neuroscience and behavioral modification techniques to wipe out destructive, time-wasting habits.Helene turns time management on its head by sharing both client case studies and pop culture examples to teach her mind-bending framework for decreasing interruptions, distractions and procrastination so that companies can spend more time generating revenue.

4 Comments

  1. Jennifer on January 20, 2015 at 7:17 pm

    Desperately needed this! I am following the links you gave to get more information.
    Focus, Focus, Focus!

    Reply
    • Helene Segura on January 21, 2015 at 8:27 am

      Hi, Jennifer! Even 10 minutes of focused time is better than nothing. Set your timer. 🙂

      Reply
  2. Christina on January 20, 2015 at 8:02 pm

    Thanks for sharing the tips. I agree with staying on focus. We don’t try to multi task, we try to multi focus and that’s near impossible. I like to use a timer to help stay focused and I batch the work together. For example, I may spend 90 minutes just on writing. Then I can check emails or return a phone call.

    Reply
    • Helene Segura on January 21, 2015 at 8:26 am

      AWESOME, Christina! Timers are so helpful. Great job keeping focused!

      Reply

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