Last week the Wall Street Journal test-drove three time-management systems:

• Getting Things Done
• The Pomodoro Technique
• Franklin Covey’s Focus.

The article concluded, unsurprisingly, that each technique had benefits and drawbacks.

More interesting though, was author Sue Shellenbarger’s insights from focusing on time-management techniques.

She found:

1. An overlong to-do list was a set-up for failure
2. To get more important stuff done, she did less of everything else
3. Gaining control of her time through the day required a significant up-front investment of time and brainpower.

A Simple Approach to Time-Management

Sue’s insights are arguably more useful that any of the expensive time-management systems around. Just learning those systems alone can be time-costly and distracting.

Instead, you could try a simpler time-management approach based on Sue’s lessons:

1. Each day, spend time identifying your top priorities and scheduling them into your day
2. Each day, choose only your 3 to 5 most important items to put on your to-do list
3. Release the notion that you can do everything, but relish the goal of doing the things that matter.

My Time-Management Process

As I mentioned in a comment on that article, for me the best ‘system’ is a combination of:

• Making lists – I do this to download stuff from my brain, remove distracting thoughts, and feel organized
• Following my natural motivation – doing what I feel drawn to, and excited to work on, but…
• Resisting the urge to do the easy, unnecessary and trivial – like email checking, busywork, etc.

I also use a productivity ritual for serious work.

Your Say

When it comes to managing your time, what works or doesn’t work for you? Please share in the comments.

[Image: http://www.flickr.com/photos/butlercorey/ / CC BY 2.0]

Related posts:

1. How to be Organized in 2009: Day 11 – Time Management
2. Organize Your Computer in 7 Simple Steps [Mission #18]
3. A Place For Every Regular Task [Time Management]