1. Column
Achieve More, Stress Less
Time Management strategies of Successful People
I am often asked by organisations to
help increase the productivity of their
Kevin Abdulrahman discusses the key tactics about successful
teams. After all winning organisations time management and tells us how everyone can be a winner if
and individuals know that to be
successful, you must learn how successful
we follow the simple ground rule of being self organised.
people operate. It is a known that one
of the secrets of successful people is that
they are able to achieve more with their In a world where you are striving to have the same 24 hours in a day. There-
time (and seemingly don’t stress as much become globally competitive, your abil- fore it’s not a question of ‘possibility’, but
like the majority do). ity to make the most of your time is para- more so knowing the secret to it.
I am sure you have heard of many mount. This holds true especially now So what if you could achieve more?
complain about the lack of time they face more than ever. To be a winner and to What if you could achieve more and
on a daily basis. ‘I just can’t seem to get ensure you have a competitive edge, you stress less? What’s the secret?
any time’, some scream. ‘I simply don’t need to (on an individual and organisa- I have had many come back to me over
know how others manage to fit in so tional basis) be able to manage your time. the years saying that these five powerful
much’, others would sigh. You need to be able to be both effective tips alone (that I’m about to share with
Right now, a few of your heads are and efficient to achieve more, without you) have helped them become much
nodding because you are either expe- stressing out, developing anxiety and more productive in both their personal
riencing the lack of time in your life, or burning out. and professional lives.
most certainly know of people (family, Lack of time is a common challenge I will share with five powerful tips
friends and colleagues) who are experi- that many struggle with. Yet time is an (used by all successful people) to imple-
encing the painful symptoms. equalising factor amongst us all. We all ment straight away to achieve more and
52 DECEMbEr 2009

2. Column
stress less. You will instantly become ef- is protected by carefully choosing what utilising your time to achieve your goals.
fective and efficient with your time, and you will and won’t commit to. Be asser- Most people live under stress. They
result of which is an immediate increase tive with your time. Respect your time are over worked, overwhelmed and feel
in your productivity. for others to respect it. Protect your time under rewarded. This is because they put
1
for others to protect it. too much energy into tasks that generate
3
Successful people are aware of their time little value towards their desired end
The question you must first reflect on Successful people Plan in advance result. In many instances, only 20% of
is, how are you spending your hours? Successful people plan their months, your work is getting 80% of your results.
What are you actually doing in your day, weeks, days and hours in advance. By This means that 80% of what you do
from the moment you wake up to the planning in advance you save yourself contributes to only 20% of your results.
moment you go to sleep? having wasted idle time not knowing Take a moment and really think about
For the next week, get your diary and what to do next. You can reduce the this point. What is your role? What do
note exactly how you are spending your amount of time you spend twirling in you want to achieve? What tasks brings
time. Split your time in segments of 30 frustration because you simply follow a you the most significant returns in line
minutes using an alarm timer on your list of pre-planned tasks to do. with your goals?
watch or mobile phone. Take notes of As I’ve mentioned in my first book Figure out what 20% of your day to
what you have done during each period. Winning The Game Of Life, if you fail to day work gives you 80% of your bottom
This is a process of self discovery. You plan, then you are certainly planning to line and focus on doing just that. Only
will become aware and amazed as to fail. And if you are reading this article, do what really matters.
5
how you are spending your time. then there is a winner in you that will en-
2
sure you plan for your winnings. Successful people get the Worst out
4
Successful people Protect their time. of the way
You must learn to protect your time (if Successful people understand the 80/20 The tasks that results in us being pro-
you value it) from being wasted. With Principle- Busy vs Productive ductive are the tasks you tend to put off.
that in mind, you will be faced with dis- I am always teaching the difference If you are fearful of something, or are
tractions on a daily basis. Only you can between being busy and being produc- feeling like you are putting off an impor-
truly value your time and how to best tive. So many people are caught up being tant action, then you must do it first. Get
utilise it. Don’t expect others to do so. busy. Being busy is being robbed of your it out of the way. You will feel good and
It is important that you ensure your time time with no return. Being productive is begin to achieve more because you would
have subconsciously also become more
confident and in the groove of things to
“By planning in advance you save yourself carry on with the rest of your tasks.
having wasted idle time not knowing Do the above and you will be well on
your way to achieving more in your day to
what to do next” day life all whilst stressing a lot less. Here
is to you, winning the game of life.
Kevin Abdulrahman is The Man Inspiring
Millions. He is the International Author of
a series of books, an in-demand Keynote
Speaker and a Global Mind Nutrition Expert
Kevin’s articles are regularly published
in magazines, reports, newsletters and
newspapers, constantly being used as
resources all over the world. Kevin is often
requested to speak to winning organizations,
universities, sports teams and individuals to
take them go to The Next Level.
You can get Kevin Abdulrahman’s books
and request for him to speak/train your group
by going on http://www.KevInspire.com
DECEMbEr 2009 53