The Art of Time Management

Time Management can be a core issue for any coach, especially as your business grows and your client base expands. A couple of years ago I came across the 4 D model to time management. I continue to enjoy the simplicity and power of the model.

Very simply, the 4 D Model to time management is:

Do It!: What tasks and activities do you need, and want to get done?

Dump It!: What tasks and activities should you let go of? What tasks and activities are merely a time sucker or adding no, or little, value?

Defer It!: What tasks and activities can you put off? If you defer them, are they scheduled in? often what doesn't get scheduled, doesn't get done?

Delegate it!: What tasks and activities can you delegate to someone else? A business partner? A staff member? A VA? An intern?

Even Microsoft has adapted the model to managing your email box and state:

• 50 percent of email can be deleted or filed
• 30 percent can be delegated or completed in less than 2 minutes
• 20 percent can be deferred to your Task List or Calendar to complete later

In your planning time this week, take note for yourself what activities you want to DO, DUMP, DEFER and DELEGATE. From my days as project manager, I continue to promote the adage that 15 minutes of planning can save us 60 minutes of unfocused effort! How much time do you take to plan each day?

Have a productive week!

Jennifer

Jennifer Britton, PCC, CPCC
Author of Effective Group Coaching (Wiley, 2010)
Host of the Group Coaching Essentials program
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