Control starts with planning.  This includes making a list 
and setting priorities.  Lakein's (1989) classic ABC system
suggests sorting tasks by:

A = High Value
B = Medium Value
C = Low Value

These can be further sub-divided by A-1, A-2, etc.  
Make sure you hit the "A's" in the course of a day, 
and try to delegate or eliminate the "C's."

Your A items are guided by your lifetime goals.  
Set goals, clear clutter, and stay focused.

A similar system is to flowchart the steps in your 
work processes and classify them by:

Value-added
Necessary, and 
Waste

(See former Keyzine Volume 19, October 2002 - 
Lean Does Not Have to Be Mean.)

I don't know where my time goes, but there's never 
enough.

Most people don't either.  Time logs are not new to 
the cache of organizational techniques, but they
do allow us to analyze our time usage and identify 
which tasks have the most value, could be delegated, 
interrupted, etc. Since most of us don't realize where 
the time actually does go, this tool forces us to 
document where and how we get things accomplished. 
Only when can we see what it is can we change our 
system and create a new workable one.

See the Activity Log tutorial at the Mind Tools site:
http://www.mindtools.com/pages/article/newHTE_03.htm

My schedule is over-whelming.  How can I get it organized? 

In the 80's it was the Day-Timer and Day-Runner. In the 90's,
it was Covey and Franklin planning. Now we have 'roles and goals' 
which helps with long term planning.  But what about the daily grind?

David Allen (2002) says that every task, promise, or assignment 
has a place and a time. With everything in its proper place and time, 
you feel in control and replace the time spent on vague worrying 
with effective, timely action. As a result, the accomplishments 
grow while the pressure to accomplish decreases. 

He has a process in which you write down a note about everything: 
when you take on a new responsibility, make a new commitment, 
or have a useful thought. All of this ends up in a sort of "in" box. 
You then go through your "in" box and decide what needs to be 
done next for each item. For simple issues, this includes identifying 
the action you should take first and when to take it.  Allen has a
Two-Minute Rule: if there's anything you absolutely must do that 
you can do right now in two minutes or less, then do it now, thus 
freeing up your time and mind tenfold over the long term.

For tougher issues, you schedule an appropriate time to work 
on your approach to the problem in more detail. You develop your 
plan, and review your options for what you should be doing weekly
(A-B-C).  

Okay, I am a procrastinator.  Is there a cure? 

Fiore (1988) notes that procrastination is actually rewarding
to many people; knowing how and why it happens is half the battle.  
Psychologists believe that fear is at the root: fear of failure 
but perhaps even fear of success and the responsibility 
that comes with that.  Other causes of procrastination can 
be as simple as waiting for the “right” mood or the “right” 
time to tackle the important task at hand; opting for more 
pleasurable or easy-to-do tasks; underdeveloped decision-
making skills; poor organizational skills; or perfectionism 
(why do it at all if you can't do it perfectly).

In psychology, we have a saying, "little steps for little feet."  
This means that progress can occur when you take large, intimidating 
or undesirable tasks, break them down, and organize them into 
smaller, sequential steps-- what to do and when.  Then just begin
--starting is the way out of procrastination.

You will soon feel the value in being a producer versus a 
procrastinator. 

**************************************
EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES
**************************************
Time management seminars
http://www.balancetime.com/

Personal time management guide and newsletter
http://www.time-management-guide.com/

Free guide to eliminate time wasters and 
common mistakes
http://www.timethoughts.com/mini-course1.htm?gclid=CODJ2cmqvIYCFSFoSgod2jYTUw

Former Keyzines on related topics:
Volume 10, January 2002 - Meetings
Volume 19, October 2002 - Lean Does Not Have to Be Mean
Volume 39, June 2004 - Bureaucracy
Volume 50, May 2005 - Picture of a Process

**************************************
OTHER USEFUL WEBSITES 
**************************************
Time management skills from Mind Tools 
http://www.mindtools.com/pages/main/newMN_HTE.htmhttp://www.mindtools.com/pages/main/newMN_HTE.htm

Scheduling software, like Goal Pro 6.0
http://www.goalpro.com/entrance.cfm?ID=50762

The pickle jar theory of time management
http://alistapart.com/articles/pickle/

Key Associates (http://www.mkkey.com) offers

• Leadership Development
• Help in Streamlining Work Processes
• On-Site Training Seminars

*************************************
ARTICLES/PUBLICATIONS                              
************************************** 
Allen, David.  Getting Things Done: The Art of 
Stress-Free Productivity.  Penguin, 2002.

Bosidy, L., Charan, R., & C. Burck.  Execution: 
The Discipline of Getting Things Done.  Crown, 2002.

Dodd, Pamela & Sundheim, Doug.  The 25 Best 
Time Management Tools & Techniques: How 
to Get More Done Without Driving Yourself Crazy.  
Peak Performance Press, 2005.

Emmett, Rita.  The Procrastinator's Handbook:
Mastering the Art of Doing It Now.  Walker & Co., 
2000.

Fiore, Neil.  The Now Habit.  Tarcher, 1988.

Kolberg, Judith.  Conquering Chronic Disorganization.
Squall Press, 1999.

Lakein, Alan.  How to Get Control of Your Time 
and Your Life.  Signet, 1989.

Schlenger, Sunny & Roesch, Roberta.  How to 
Get Organized in Spite of Yourself: Time and Space 
Management That Works With Your Personal Style. 
Signet, 1999.

Schlenger, Sunny.  Organizing for the Spirit: Making 
the Details of Your Life Meaningful and Manageable.  
Jossey-Bass, 2004.