Time Saving tips

These are tips which are time tested and will hold good as long as we need to communicate and do things more efficiently in an eco-friendly way.

1. Systematize - Stop reinventing the wheel and recreating the same things over and again. Create systems to handle repetitive tasks. For example, I have standard letters all created and saved in my computer along with standard documents such as directions to my office and various articles I share with others. Be sure to have adequate supplies you can readily access. Use one calendar to keep track of appointments. Work with a clean desk and have most frequently used items within arm’s reach. Schedule maintenance for your equipment and yourself.

2. Plan Adequate Sleep - You can have a great to do list for your next day but if you are tired, your productivity will be adversely impacted. Schedule a sufficient amount of sleep. The amount is different for each of us. Some need eight hours, some more, and some less. Your body knows the answer.

3. Attend a Speed Reading,typing and writing Class - The average person reads at about 200 words per minute and spends a couple of hours each day reading.The writing speed is lesser and typing speed is even lesser. What if you could increase all 3 speeds?
What takes 2 hours can now be done in 1 hour or you can continue to spend the same amount of time reading, but read twice as much.
Sign up for a speed-reading,typing and writing class.It helps.

4. Develop Your Communication Skills - A lot of your personal success in the future will be in direct relationship to your ability to competently and confidently communicate what you know both orally and in writing. Make it an ongoing commitment to continue to improve your speaking and writing skills. You’ll save time and have a more successful career.

5. Develop Your People Network - Personal productivity in large amounts has to do with the good cooperation of other people. Someone who does not enjoy the good cooperation of others can surely be productive but not as productive as one who enjoys that cooperation. On an on-going basis, develop your list of personal contacts, your networking list. Always offer to help everyone on your list whenever you can. (“To have a friend, first be a friend.”) Do it right and your network will be there for you when you need it.Social Networking websites like www.ryze.com , www.linkedin.com , www.orkut.com , www.stumbleupon.com , www.smallworld.net and membership of a few industry bodies like www.tie.org, www.inplasin.org (Indian Plastics Institute - in my case-I am a Plastics Engineer) all help to get more business and help to do good.I helped out people without expecting anything in return and it has paid back-what works for me will work for you too.Be positive in your approach and value friends and friendship.

Read the morning paper for knowing what is going on - some executives do not do it and companies suffer because of it.Local knowledge is critical and it helps if you know local problems and are able to give best of breed solutions for similar problems.

I am trying to save power in India by using a solution developed in the US-the only thing that helps today is focus on a real existing problem and then brainstorming and meeting the people who are known experts in that field and get solutions that work.To really make the other person believe one has to act sincerely in the other person's or company's interest.It has been done earlier and will continue to be done in business and personal life.

Another example is SPAM - a genuine problem for many executives- one solution to spam can be a password protected wiki page for employees.

Be creative in your thinking and solutions will follow & know how to make the best use of technology and communication-these are the key to growth.