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Blink 3 of 8 - The 5 AM Club
by Robin Sharma
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Successful Time Management summary
Patrick Forsyth
How to be Organized, Productive and Get Things Done
17 mins
Brief summary
Successful Time Management by Patrick Forsyth presents practical tips and techniques to manage time effectively, emphasizing the importance of prioritization, organization, and delegation in improving productivity and achieving success.
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Successful Time Management
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Time-saving foundations
If you work in a modern office, you’ll agree that time is precious – and that there never seems to be enough of it.
But ask yourself this: How much time do you actually spend working, and how much time do you spend figuring out what to work on, searching for documents, writing repetitive emails, and so on?
Actually, don’t just ask yourself this. Keep a time log for a week. Record every task you do throughout the day and sort them into plannable time, reactive time, and wasted time. Plannable time is the time you take for your actual work. Reactive time is the time you spend responding to people, fixing tech problems, and putting out other fires. Wasted time is, well, wasted time.
You’ll be shocked how much of your week the latter two take up.
But with the right strategies, this can change.
Time management is an indispensable skill for anyone looking to get ahead in the workplace. Since time management is essentially self-management, what works best for you will depend on your unique situation. But there are a few foundational elements of good time management that apply across the board.
The first element is planning. Before you do anything, figure out how to do it best. The golden rule here is that the time you invest in understanding and organizing a task is time you’ll save doubly when executing it.
You may have heard the acronym “SMART objectives”. Setting SMART objectives means setting objectives that are specific, measurable, achievable, realistic, and timed. Such clear-cut goals provide clarity and direction.
The second element of good time-management is proper implementation. The most important strategy here is to break your big tasks into smaller, more manageable subtasks. If you’ve set SMART objectives, this should be relatively easy. Breaking up tasks also allows for easier progress tracking.
Which brings us to the third element: monitoring. Regularly evaluating your results and methods will help you stay on track in the long-term.
The fourth and final element revolves around communication. Clear briefing and efficient reporting can minimize costly misunderstandings and unnecessary back-and-forth with your colleagues.
So, now that you have an overview of the elements of good time management, let’s get into the nitty-gritty.
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What is Successful Time Management about?
Successful Time Management (2003) is a practical guide containing tools and techniques to improve workflow productivity. It offers time-saving and actionable advice that will help you organize projects, delegate tasks, and select priorities in the workplace.
Successful Time Management Review
Successful Time Management (2003) by Patrick Forsyth is a valuable resource for anyone looking to make the most of their time. Here’s why this book is worth reading:
- Offers practical strategies that can be easily implemented and help individuals effectively manage their time and increase productivity.
- Provides real-life examples and case studies to illustrate the concepts, making it relatable and applicable to different situations.
- Avoids being mundane with its engaging and straightforward approach, making it an enjoyable read despite the topic of time management.
Who should read Successful Time Management?
- Office workers looking to get ahead
- Managers who want to increase employee productivity
- Those struggling with their own time management
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Successful Time Management FAQs
What is the main message of Successful Time Management?
Successful Time Management teaches effective strategies for maximizing productivity and achieving work-life balance.
How long does it take to read Successful Time Management?
The reading time for Successful Time Management varies based on individual reading speed. The Blinkist summary can be read in just 15 minutes.
Is Successful Time Management a good book? Is it worth reading?
Successful Time Management is a valuable read for anyone looking to improve their time management skills. It offers practical advice and actionable strategies.
Who is the author of Successful Time Management?
Patrick Forsyth is the author of Successful Time Management.
What to read after Successful Time Management?
If you're wondering what to read next after Successful Time Management, here are some recommendations we suggest:
- Faster Than Normal by Peter Shankman
- Smarter Faster Better by Charles Duhigg
- 15 Secrets Successful People Know About Time Management by Kevin Kruse
- 18 Minutes by Peter Bregman
- The Way of Integrity by Martha Beck
- DIRTY LAUNDRY by Richard Pink & Roxanne Emery
- Critical Thinking by Richard Paul
- The Power of Unwavering Focus by Dandapani
- The Productivity Project by Chris Bailey
- The 80/20 CEO by Bill Canady