Time management is a crucial factor in work and our time management courses are created to ensure that delegates can make their time keeping as efficient and effective as possible. We do this by supplying a time management training course that is full of tools and tips for improving time management, time planning, delegation, organisation and management strategies as well as handling and using time effectively. Our time management course will cover subjects such as goal setting, improving organisation skills and managing time successfully.

Time Management using Microsoft Outlook 2003 and Microsoft Outlook 2007 is another of our training seminars that allows delegates to be able to use all aspects of Outlook such as; managing emails, using the calendar, delegation using Tasks and is packed with tips and techniques for mastering Outlook.

Time Management, Time management working with Microsoft Outlook, Project management for non-project managers, Assertiveness, Management Skills and Stress Management are some of the courses trained by Total Success in London and throughout the UK. We have over 18 years experience training people on strategies to improve productivity and enhance self development. Click on the link if you require further information on our training courses or if you wish to contact Total Success via e-mail. We will be delighted to discuss your needs and provide practical answers.

The research also reveals that rather than the water cooler or the smoking area, the photocopier is the new place to hang out, share gossip and dream of pastures new with 58% of PAs and secretaries admitting that they often spend “significant” time dreaming of their plans for the weekend. More than half of those questioned confessed that the photocopier is the place where they discuss the comings and goings of their colleagues. Office romance on the other hand is more likely to take place by the printer with nearly 20% of interviewees confessing they often flirt with their colleagues whilst waiting for their printing.

On a serious note, whilst employees are spending time walking around the office and burning calories, there is also a dip in office productivity. The study showed that employees spend approximately 5 hours a week away from their desk just walking to and from office machinery.

Managing our priorities – the jam jar theory 

Everyone wants more time both at work and at home. Here are some simple time management tips and strategies that allow you to utilise your time more effectively. Most relate to work issues but there are some personal gems I use to de-stress myself so that I can concentrate on the things that I find really matter in life – I hope you find your own personal gem.

• Make a commitment to yourself today to ‘make time’ for something you really want to do.

• Exploit 'free' time: time spent in waiting rooms, airports, taxis etc. Key: visualize the day ahead, estimate the probabilities of any dead time, and prepare yourself with simple tasks: reading, correspondence, writing letters, etc.

• Have a good idea of what your time is worth to you. If you calculate the figure regularly it enables you to decide whether it's profitable to have work done by someone else.

• Separate work/leisure/family, you might end up being one of those ‘tortured workers' or workaholics’. 

• Life is short, and that 'you can't take it with you!' so try to make it as pleasant as possible, here and now, and not tomorrow.

• At the beginning of a meeting, tell the other person how much time you can spend.

• Not only make daily and monthly lists of things that have to be done but make sure you keep the completed lists and analyse them closely.

• Have a list of telephone numbers you use frequently. If you have a mobile phone, save the number automatically and immediately if it’s not already saved.

• Don’t let negative attitudes or opinions limit your activity.

• When you write, keep it short: letters of three lines, notes of one sentence. Don't feel obliged to make things longer. 

• Handle paperwork only once; answer it, throw it out  or delegate it - each day, so that it doesn't pile up.

• Make photocopies of important sections of books, magazines and documents and file them according to subject.

• Get yourself a very large wastepaper basket, and don't worry about how much it weighs at the end of the day! 

• Gadgets can save time. Use the alarm on your phone or watch, hand-held computers and dictaphones can all help but don’t substitute good practice for gimmickry. Clear your desk and plan your activities for the next day.

• Do difficult jobs first, when you are at your best. Look after minor jobs when you are tired.

• Do not postpone important matters that are unpleasant. Jobs rarely get more pleasant by being postponed. Do it now!

• Try to arrange routine times for jobs such as going through the mail, talking with your manager or staff, computer input, etc.

• Try to fix definite times when you would not like to be disturbed, and make the system work except for genuine emergencies.

• If you have several phone calls to make, do them all in a burst.

• Plan some time for discussing routine matters with your colleagues. Then you avoid interrupting each other all the time.

• Learn to say ‘No’. Get used to asking yourself ‘Am I the right person for this job?’

• Stress and fatigue are rarely caused by the things you have done, but by the thought of what you haven’t done!

• Make a habit of finishing the main job of the day before you go home.

• Avoid negative people, people who always have problems. Seek out the opposite: positive contacts, dynamic, stimulating, creative, original people.

• Allot yourself numerous periods to relax, refresh yourself, enjoy yourself, etc. every day, as a way of rewarding yourself for objectives you have attained.

• Ask people who come to me with problems to propose their own solutions.

• Before answering 'yes', ask yourself if you really want to/should get involved.

• Be honest with yourself. Accept your faults, weaknesses, errors, etc. as much as possible.

• Have ready-made checklists for everything.

• Have your baggage prepared in advance for all your trips.

• Learn to put each thing in its place.

• Empty your wastepaper basket each night.

• Try to predict any snags that might occur, and work out what you would do in each case.

• Consider the possibility of failure and plan your reactions so that you don’t waste valuable time being stressed and passing that stress onto others.

• When a mistake is made, look for its cause and make sure that it doesn't happen again.

• Take all the holiday you are entitled to. This forces me to finish a job - or to delegate it - before leaving..

• The beauty of a flower, the smells of spring, the joy of a beautiful countryside, these are things which you consider indispensable to life. What ever you consider to be valuable to you ‘make time for it’.

• Telephone - or send a fax - instead of meeting someone personally. You can call instead of writing

• Buy yourself gifts as rewards for your performance.

• Always keep your word.

• Refuse to be upset by other people's opinions.

• Learn to make the distinction between what's important and what’s minor.

• Learn to group the things you have to do.

• Constantly ask yourself ‘Is this the most important thing I have to do right now?’

• Don’t get stressed or upset over things you cannot change.

• Don’t live your life by comparison – there will always be someone richer, taller, smarter than you. Remember to concentrate on what you have and what you have achieved in your life; try not to concentrate on what you don’t have

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