Article: How to Create New Time Habits

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Do your time habits work for you or against you?

Everyone has a particular method of operation in regards to how they go about doing work. Techniques used over and over create a habit. Habits establish a routine without much thought. But do your long-term time habits help you that much?

For example, you are assigned an important project by your supervisor. It is due in 30 days. When would you start working on the project?

Choose one:

• Within a day of being assigned
• 2 weeks before it is due
• 3 days before it is due

Whatever your answer, it identifies your attitude towards starting projects. Your choice is based on previous experiences and the habit you have established.

Six Power Points For Improving Time Habits

1. Determine what habits you would like to change. For example, you may want to prepare for your workday the night before so you don't have to rush in the morning. By defining the new practice, you are defining the intended change.
2. Realize that you cannot change an old habit; you can only create a new one. The old one is always lurking in the background waiting for stress or lack of commitment so it can assert itself. The new one over time will become the dominant habit. Practice your habit for a long time. The longer you use your new habit solely, the mightier it becomes.
3. Start your new routine with vigor. Get involved, voice your resolve, tell associates, brag out loud as you accomplish a day of being true to your new ideal.
4. Make an action plan for your new time routine. Answer these 3 questions regarding your new time habit:
   • What am I going to stop doing?
   • What am I going to start doing?
   • What am I going to keep doing?
5. Tell the people you work with about your new resolve and how it affects them. This is called "closing the communication loop" and is very important for maximum effectiveness.
6. Be accountable to another person while establishing your new time habit. If you are only accountable to yourself, you will get a mixed outcome. For the best results, ask an associate to help you form this new behavior. Ask them to periodically quiz you on how you are doing on the new habit. You will be more successful if you use another person or persons to keep you committed to your new habit.

Handling Interruptions

One of the most common complaints I hear is "There is not enough hours in my day to accomplish everything I have to do!” Most of the time this happens because people are not handling interruptions properly. Here are four power points for managing interruptions:

1. Analyze interruptions. Keep records as to what is causing the interruptions. Look for trends in people, processes, days, and times. Ask yourself if the interruptions can be handled in a better way. Form a new time habit based on your findings.
2. Don't invite interruptions. Arrange your office so people do not catch your eye when they walk past your doorway or window.
3. Bunch activities. An unscheduled "open door policy" for work associates is a major time thief for you and them. On an as-needed basis, set aside a time for discussion that fits your schedule and mood. For example, an associate comes into your office to discuss an issue. Say to him, "Jim, I will be glad to brainstorm your ideas with you. I can give you my full attention this afternoon at 2:00, does that work for you?" In order to bunch activities, schedule all individual meetings in this same afternoon time period.
4. Communicate effectively. A big part of your job is communicating effectively with associates, vendors, and customers. It is OK to communicate your expectations and if necessary negotiate times, schedules, etc. Be friendly, be available and strive for minimum interruptions.

You can improve how you manage yourself, which is really what happens when you say you are CONTROLING your time. Set a goal to make progress with your time habits. Time is a paradox; we never seem to have enough time, yet we have all the time there is.

FREE Time Management Tip Sheet

In the beginning we make our habits, in the end our habits make us! In today’s workplace, time seems to be in short supply. Here are seven easy time tips for a high yield day. Click here for the FREE time management tip sheet: "7 Time Habits for a High Yield Day"

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