Over at LifeDev Glen Stansberry has a list of 7 tips for getting and keeping big ideas. It’s a great article and well thought out. His 7 tips are:
- ALWAYS carry paper
- Be descriptive when writing it down
- Plan for not planning on it
- Good environments matter
- Think big picture down
- Organize your thoughts
- Know when to stop
These 7 tips are great to help you remember your ideas but they can also be used to help you manage your time.
1. ALWAYS carry paper
Keep a written to-do list with you anywhere you go. It will remind you of the things you still need to get done and you can easily add another item to your list even when you’re out.
2. Be descriptive when writing it down
Keep items on your to-do list short but descriptive. If you’re meeting with someone write down the who, what, when, and where. Always make sure you will be able to understand your list later in the day.
3. Plan for not planning on it
Leave room in your day for pauses, breaks, and other distractions that may come up. You don’t have control over some distractions and you never know when they’re going to happen so leave time for the unexpected.
4. Good enviorments matter
Clean up your work space and remove clutter from the area around you. Get comfortable and organized so you don’t waste time searching for things.
5. Think big picture down
Think through the step-by-step process needed for your task so you don’t skip anything. My mom always says to do a good job the first time so you don’t have to do it again. Plan out the things you need to get done and think through the most efficient way to get them done.
6. Organize your thoughts
This goes back to keeping a descriptive to-do list and thinking about the big picture. Do things in an order that works best for you.
7. Know when to stop
Instead of spending an hour working on a project fighting to keep your eyes open at 3 in the morning, get some sleep and get a fresh start on it in the morning. Take time to get away from your work and take a walk or eat something and rejuvenate yourself.
So make to sure to read Glen’s article to use these same 7 tips to help manage your time and your ideas.