Time Mastery, Part 2 of 3
Set the Stage for Improvement and then Develop Your Abilities
In the first article of our time mastery series, we discussed the problem with most approaches to time management, how time is influenced by cultural perspectives and behavioral styles, and introduced the concept of Time Mastery. In this article, we go through the 12 Dimensions of Time mastery in more depth.
12 Dimensions of Time Mastery
Inscape’s Time Mastery tool measures how important each of these 12 areas are to your current job, and then measures how proficient you are in those areas. This lets you quickly focus in on the areas that are most significant for you.
Set the Stage for Time Mastery:
1. Attitude
Do you believe you can make a difference, avoid regrets, and have a good attitude towards self-discipline?
2. Goals
How to link goals together, how to set good goals and change habits, and whether to focus on results or activities.
3. Priorities
How to prioritize your activities in light of your goals, and the four combinations of Important and Urgent.
4. Analysis
Know how you spend your time in order to diagnose your problems. Learn to analyze and control your habits, use Time Logs, and calculate your Return on Time Investment.
Develop Your Abilities:
5. Planning
Deciding what to do: Work Plans and Time Plans, How and where to Take Control, and how to do Weekly Planning and Daily Planning.
6. Scheduling
Deciding when to do it: How to Maintain Flexibility and still Commit; Quiet Time; and three forms of the Early Start.
7. Interruptions
How to analyze interruptions, Bunch Things Together, maintain disciplined Socializing and Distance Communication (Telephones, Email, etc.), and have a plan for how to work around interruptions.
8. Meetings
Common Reasons for wasted time, Agendas, How to allocate Responsibility and Invitations, Action Plans, and Techniques for Effective Facilitation and Collaboration.
9. Written Communication
How to deal with Communication Overload, Psychological Factors, and build Healthier Habits.
10. Delegation
How to handle Horizontal Delegation, Acceptance of Authority, and how to develop Effective Delegation.
11. Procrastination
Learn what causes Procrastination, Shift Procrastination from the Important to the Unimportant, Rationalization, Denial, and how to take Preventative Action.
12. Team Time
How to determine the best use of your Team Time, develop a good Support System, Think of Others, and exert Mutual Influence
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Cultural Perspectives, Behavioral Styles, and Time Mastery
Time Mastery is a journey. We have two rules for achievement in our program: 1. Get Started, and 2. Keep going.