Until we can manage time, we can manage nothing else.         Peter F. Drucker

Time is considered our greatest resource. And it is our time. Yet, many of us feel overloaded and overwhelmed by the demands of everyday living. Do you feel that there are not enough hours in the day to do what needs to be done?

Where do all the minutes fly? Even if you sleep eight hours a day, you still have 16 hours left each day. If you work full time, eight more hours in each of five days is filled but there are still 8 hours left on those days. Where does that time go?

Throughout history, the most successful people have not only known the value of time management, but have also known how to apply their knowledge extremely well.  

Don't say you don't have enough time. You have exactly the same number of hours per day that were given to Helen Keller, Pasteur, Michelangelo, Mother Teresa, Leonardo da Vinci, Thomas Jefferson, and Albert Einstein.       H. Jackson Brown

Since your time is a priceless treasure, don’t let casual activities steal the precious moments you need for more important accomplishments. Casual activities can become time thieves if you are not aware of the amount of time each day that you spend on them. Here are just a few.  I am sure you can add others to your list.

• Continually checking email
• Sitting in traffic jams
• Watching television for several hours each day
• Playing internet or video games
• Idle gossip

Lack of time can be a major contributor to stress. Managing our time better can help us gain control of our lives and reduce our stress. Here are ten practical tips:

1. Get and keep organized.   How often have you wasted your time finding something you need but could not find just because your desk or home was disorganized? Organize your activities by using a calendar. This saves you time in the long run.

1. Eliminate unnecessary and unproductive tasks and activities. Write down the pros and cons of why you should or should not do what is on the list. This will enable you to remove unnecessary task from your list.

1. Set priorities for the day. Make a list of what you need to accomplish. Handle important tasks first.

2. Be realistic. Can’t get everything done on your list? Move the less important tasks to another day.

3. Just do it. Stay focused on the task at hand. When you are working on an important project, try to create a time and space without distractions. Don't procrastinate.

1. Multitask sparingly. If you must multitask, choose tasks that can easily be done at the same time and that don’t add more stress or create a dangerous situation. Interruptions may result in errors.

1. Get help and delegate. Whether at home or work, if possible, get help with what must be done. You are not a superhero!

1. Divide and conquer. If there is a big project, slice it into chunks so that you will not be overwhelmed by the size of the project.

1. Learn to say *No*. Don't over commit.swwwww

1. Wrap up at the end of the day. Set aside time at the end of your day to review and celebrate what you have accomplished and plan for the next day.