Time management

[jscott]

Hey, to most of you full time webmaster guys, who work job 100% online, what are some things you do or try that help you with time management.

My life is kinda slipping into wierd areas, because I have 0 routine, some days I wake up at 3am, some days at 10pm, anyone have tips?

I'm thinking to maybe set alarm for like 9am and FORCE myself to wakeup everyday at that time? I dunno

Any tips, ideas would be great. Thanks lovely GFY!

[MarkDeus]

Stop going on GFY

[alf6300]

Originally Posted by jscott

Hey, to most of you full time webmaster guys, who work job 100% online, what are some things you do or try that help you with time management.

My life is kinda slipping into wierd areas, because I have 0 routine, some days I wake up at 3am, some days at 10pm, anyone have tips?

I'm thinking to maybe set alarm for like 9am and FORCE myself to wakeup everyday at that time? I dunno

Any tips, ideas would be great. Thanks lovely GFY!

GTD
8char

[Socks]

I think one of the best ways to stay focused is to keep a notebook beside your desk (or digital if that suits you better). I like notebook. Write a one liner about what you're about to do, and do it until it's done. If while you're working you need to do something related, add it to the next line. If you have an idea of something to do in the future, add it to another list that you can pull from when trying to figure out something current to do.

When you're done doing whatever it is you're doing, look at the notebook and decide what to do next, write it down and start. If you have to come back and finish later, you can see the last thing you were working on.

The hardest part about working is getting started, so doing this helps a lot with that, because you have a process for getting started every time. Also helps a lot with interruptions, because you can take one look at the notebook and remember what you were doing last.

You can also take it one step further and write down your non-work activities and set limits on them. Like 2 hours of video games, or go make dinner. When you're done, you'll think about the notebook and that will point you back towards work again. If you write down the time on each item, you can also see how long things take you.

Oh, and if you stick with it, you end up with a chronological view of what you've accomplished, and you can get a better sense overall of what you're spending your time on.

[jscott]

Originally Posted by PornerBros

Stop going on GFY

Do you really see me here on GFY too much? I highly doubt it, and when I am here, I'm looking for biz related threads (which are getting less & less)

[johnnyloadproductions]

Originally Posted by Socks

I think one of the best ways to stay focused is to keep a notebook beside your desk (or digital if that suits you better). I like notebook. Write a one liner about what you're about to do, and do it until it's done. If while you're working you need to do something related, add it to the next line. If you have an idea of something to do in the future, add it to another list that you can pull from when trying to figure out something current to do.

When you're done doing whatever it is you're doing, look at the notebook and decide what to do next, write it down and start. If you have to come back and finish later, you can see the last thing you were working on.

The hardest part about working is getting started, so doing this helps a lot with that, because you have a process for getting started every time. Also helps a lot with interruptions, because you can take one look at the notebook and remember what you were doing last.

You can also take it one step further and write down your non-work activities and set limits on them. Like 2 hours of video games, or go make dinner. When you're done, you'll think about the notebook and that will point you back towards work again. If you write down the time on each item, you can also see how long things take you.

Oh, and if you stick with it, you end up with a chronological view of what you've accomplished, and you can get a better sense overall of what you're spending your time on.

as this, structure.

[jscott]

Originally Posted by alf6300

GTD
8char

huh?
888

[jscott]

Originally Posted by Socks

I think one of the best ways to stay focused is to keep a notebook beside your desk (or digital if that suits you better). I like notebook. Write a one liner about what you're about to do, and do it until it's done. If while you're working you need to do something related, add it to the next line. If you have an idea of something to do in the future, add it to another list that you can pull from when trying to figure out something current to do.

When you're done doing whatever it is you're doing, look at the notebook and decide what to do next, write it down and start. If you have to come back and finish later, you can see the last thing you were working on.

The hardest part about working is getting started, so doing this helps a lot with that, because you have a process for getting started every time. Also helps a lot with interruptions, because you can take one look at the notebook and remember what you were doing last.

You can also take it one step further and write down your non-work activities and set limits on them. Like 2 hours of video games, or go make dinner. When you're done, you'll think about the notebook and that will point you back towards work again. If you write down the time on each item, you can also see how long things take you.

Oh, and if you stick with it, you end up with a chronological view of what you've accomplished, and you can get a better sense overall of what you're spending your time on.

I guess you're right, not bad suggestion, making kind of a timeline or schedule


Is this what you do now? or have done before?

[alf6300]

Originally Posted by jscott

[GTD]huh?
888

Sorry:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Getting_Things_Done

It's not your average lame self-help book / method.

It's a really powerful set of common-sense techniques that gives you plenty of "A-HA" moments.

I read it first 10 years ago or so. I can say it is one of the books that seriously improved my life (and I usually read maybe 50 books a year or more).

Too bad there's no aff link! :-)

[the Shemp]

[jscott]

alf6300, reading 1 min into that wiki page I already know this will be a good thing for me, yes mostly simple things, but just staying on target, being productive, some ppl get this automatically, I once did, but with absolutely no boss, or time expectations, no need to wake up unless I'm ready to for over 10 years, it's becoming difficult, needing some kind of aid, this book seems to be a good start

icq me an amazon link or something, i'll buy from you 130321510

[alf6300]

Originally Posted by jscott

alf6300, reading 1 min into that wiki page I already know this will be a good thing for me, yes mostly simple things, but just staying on target, being productive, some ppl get this automatically, I once did, but with absolutely no boss, or time expectations, no need to wake up unless I'm ready to for over 10 years, it's becoming difficult, needing some kind of aid, this book seems to be a good start

icq me an amazon link or something, i'll buy from you 130321510

LOL it's very nice of you - let's just say that if you like the book I'll let you buy me a beer at some point :-)

By the way, I bought this book probably 20 times over the years - every time I had an employee who was smart but procrastinating I gave them a gift copy (many of the smartest people lack self-organization - but it's something that can be learned).

I am usually very skeptical of self-help / guru / cult advice, but this one book is very unassuming and down to earth, it does not pretend to make you a millionaire or anything - just techniques that should be probably taught in school.

[NaughtyRob]

I honestly think thats the problem that I had before but when you are on a regular schedule you tend to get stuff done.

Originally Posted by jscott

Hey, to most of you full time webmaster guys, who work job 100% online, what are some things you do or try that help you with time management.

My life is kinda slipping into wierd areas, because I have 0 routine, some days I wake up at 3am, some days at 10pm, anyone have tips?

I'm thinking to maybe set alarm for like 9am and FORCE myself to wakeup everyday at that time? I dunno

Any tips, ideas would be great. Thanks lovely GFY!

[DamianJ]

Originally Posted by alf6300

GTD
8char

Quoted for truth

[Klen]

http://www.pomodorotechnique.com/
http://www.webresourcesdepot.com/foc...echnique-apps/

[jimmycooper]

Take a class. Or some type of organized activity to work your schedule around. Even if it's only for an hour or two it will force you to get x amount done before and y amount afterwards. Your mind will also be fresh after the class as it serves as a break from your standard routine.

[livexxx]

Get yourself a Kanban board. Organise things to do, priority, things been prepared, things being worked on. Limit the last two lanes to only 3 items so you dont overload. When finished move them into the done lane. Get yourself an ipad/pc version like leankitkanban.com

Its part of visualizing your workflows and task. Lets you build and maintain a backlog of work, keeps it tracked and ordered and removes the stress of what needs to be done. Part of the agile working method, but suited to solo working as well.

[The Porn Nerd]

Originally Posted by the Shemp

Hahaha! Classic.
Thanks Shwep, this one is going in my collection.

OP: Here's what you have to get straight in yer head:
It takes 30 days to turn something into a Habit.
And we ain't talkin' nun outfits here....

So if you want to wake up at 9 am do so for 30 days via the use of an alarm. Day 31 turn the alarm OFF and see what time you wake up the next day.

You're welcome. And good luck!

[NinjaSteve]

I agree it's all about getting things done, so why not just get it done? Create a todo list. Make a daily todo list, weekly, even one that occurs on the 1st of each month. Hit that shit every day no matter when you wake up. Write it in Notepad or Word. Done.

My prediction to your quest for time management vs. getting things done in your situation -
You'll start reading that GTD book but it'll get boring because it's a boring book. So you'll start doing some GTD after skimming and implement your own method after spending hours online looking for solutions. You'll start waking up at 9am every day for about 10 days and then you'll either not want to sleep or you'll go out and party it up and it'll fuck up your new routine. You might try sleep aids, but then you'll just oversleep because sleeping is awesome. You'll try the time management routine again... and then it's rinse and repeat. You'll end up back where you are now after wasting 2 months trying to fix the time management problem you don't have.

[kane]

Here are a few things I do.

1. try to get on a schedule. I tend to go to bed and get up about the same time everyday. It doesn't have to be early, just whenever you are happiest.

2. Make a daily to do list and focus on getting everything for that day done. Then before you quit for the day (and even throughout the day) make a list for the next day. If there are things you do every day make a to do list for each day of the week.

3. Focus your energy. I tend to work in spurts. I will focus hard and work as fast and hard as I can for about 45 minutes. Then I will take a 10-15 minute break to use the bathroom, get something to drink, get up and walk around, hit GFY or whatever. then after the break I am back at it for another 45 minutes. It works for me and you will be shocked how much you can get done in 45 minutes if you focus hard.

4. Shut out the world. Treat this like a real job so don't text your friends or fuck off or watch TV or do things you wouldn't normally do at a job. If it distracts you from work, don't do it.

5. Set goals for yourself. Be they weekly or monthly or however long, make a list of things you want to achieve and work hard towards them.

Just my thoughts and things that I do.

[jscott]

I guess allowing my cats to run around on my keyboard while i'm working, or girlfriend laying on me "lets go eattttt" doesn't help huh?

Thanks a lot guys, schedule, needed for sure..... and setting up a proper work environment too.

I'll get that book as an extra guidance for sure

[Rochard]

You have to have a routine - period. I'm lucky because I'm a former Marine and have no issues getting up in the morning, and I'm also a married man with a kid - so I have to go to bed at a decent hour, and we have a morning routine. I start work at 9am every morning.

And even though I work from home, I take lunch the same time every day.

Also, I use - don't laugh - google tasks. This reminds me of what needs to be done each week. I also set up daily goals too.

[NinjaSteve]

Originally Posted by jscott

I guess allowing my cats to run around on my keyboard while i'm working, or girlfriend laying on me "lets go eattttt" doesn't help huh?

Thanks a lot guys, schedule, needed for sure..... and setting up a proper work environment too.

I'll get that book as an extra guidance for sure

Solution: Eat the cats!

[Paul Markham]

Last thing every day make a list of tasks to do tomorrow. Prioritise them in order of importance. Anything that comes in overnight insert into the list in it's place of priority before you start working.

Then complete every task in it's order of importance.

When all it done, you have finished another days work.

Been said before because it's normal business time management.

As Kane says, focus, shut out other things, set goals.

[The Ghost]

A jscott time management thread. Now i've seen it all.

[jscott]

That book "getting things done" i just ordered it guys, thanks to all who suggested, i'll read on airplanes or car rides ;)

Thanks Rochard and Paul for your great suggestions too

Originally Posted by The Ghost

A jscott time management thread. Now i've seen it all.

Hahaha.... u've only seen time travelin' jscott, next you'll see time managed jscott

Originally Posted by NinjaSteve

Solution: Eat the cats!

awwwwwwwwwww my poor wittle babies!!!!!! hehehehe

[geedub]

I block websites in my host file via localhost IP, should do this one too, haha.

[Rochard]

Originally Posted by Paul Markham

Last thing every day make a list of tasks to do tomorrow. Prioritise them in order of importance. Anything that comes in overnight insert into the list in it's place of priority before you start working.

Wake up
poop
Troll GFY
Troll GFY
Troll GFY
Troll GFY
Troll GFY
Troll GFY
Troll GFY
Eat
Troll GFY
Troll GFY
Troll GFY
Troll GFY
Troll GFY
Troll GFY
Troll GFY
Troll GFY
Troll GFY
Troll GFY
Troll GFY
Eat
Poop
Troll GFY
Troll GFY
Troll GFY
Troll GFY
Troll GFY
Troll GFY
Troll GFY
Sleep.

[acctman]

If you have an iPad or iPhone get the app 30/30 and stick to it. You'll be amazed at how much you get things done when you're competing and challenging yourself.

[livexxx]

i have a write up planned on this and scrum , but sadly its in my backlog

[AsianDivaGirlsWebDude]

ADG

[blonda80]

some funny answers in here but the notebook helps me always