Download a Time Management Worksheet

Don't just track time - categorize it!

This time management worksheet is more than tracking time. This worksheet identifies your top priorities and the time you are devoting on those area.

Why is this important?

Because if you can't measure it then you can't manage it!

For example, lets say you were a swimmer, to get quicker you would first get a measure of how long it takes you to swim a length.

If you were a sales person and you wanted to increase the time meeting with external clients, you would first need to get a baseline of how much time you are getting.

It is the same with time management. If you want to improve your time management you first need to have an adequate measure of it.

This time management worksheet is like a supercharged time management log. In that you categorize the time in those areas that you are keen to change.

Instructions to categorize your time management worksheet

Identify the top 5 to 10 tasks in your work or your life that you want to monitor, and track your time.

What does this do.

It gives you a baseline of your time and sets the benchmark for those areas that you want to improve upon.

Before you download this time management worksheet the steps are:

1. Identify 5 to 10 key areas that you want monitor you time in. This could be:
   • face-to-face time with external clients,
   • time making sales calls,
   • time on email,
   • the number of interruptions,
   • quality time with children or loved ones, and so forth.

2. Place a mark next to each 15 minute block for the category that you are spending your time in.

   For example, if you are in meeting with a client from 11-12 midday, then you would place four ticks, one in each 15 minute block between 11 and 12.

3. Do this for a minimum of 3 days. I recommend a full week. What does this information tell you?

   Where is your time going and are there patterns that you recognize.

4. Now that you have an idea of how you are using your time in these areas, what do you want to change. If you want to reduce email time, then you now have a baseline you can compare against.

   If it is to increase time in face-to-face meetings with clients then you can create a plan to do this.

The important thing is that if you can't measure it then you can't manage it.

Related time management articles

Weekly Planner: Plan your high impact activities in advance with this weekly planner.

To do list: Does your 'to do list' work for you?

Time management sheets: Annual, quartely, and weekly planning exercises to align your life with your priorities.

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