Fifty percent of your time is spent processing information, and eighty percent of that information is worthless. * The following tips will give you a head start on completing tasks on time and done well.

1. Prioritize your tasks;

2. Get the job done right the first time;

3. Don’t waste time;

4. Delegate tasks;

5. Avoid procrastination.

When prioritizing tasks, remember:

o Avoid overloading your list, be realistic!

o Rank the tasks in order of importance.

-Urgent and important

-Urgent and not important

-Important and not urgent

-It is not urgent and it is not important

o Schedule time for breaks, mistakes, and unforeseen problems.

o Schedule long-term tasks and short-term tasks.

Procrastination is the worst enemy of completing a task. Some people procrastinate because they just don’t want to do their homework. The task can be as simple as filling out documents or as complex as fear of failure; inappropriate information; or bad clothes.

Fear of failure is a common trigger for procrastination. If you have fear identified as the problem, focus on the source of the fear and seek to determine the consequences of the action or inaction. This will help reduce fear so tasks can be undertaken quickly.

If procrastination is due to lack of information, check with someone (friend, supervisor, mentor, etc.) or research the assignment to get the necessary information. Stop wasting time thinking about the problem and fix it.

If procrastination is basically a bad habit, it will take effort and self-discipline to correct it. One remedy is to focus on the positive benefits of completing the task. Another powerful and empowering remedy is tapping into your natural rhythm.

When you have a burst of renewed energy, you can make the most of it by applying it to those challenging tasks that require you to go beyond the call of duty. There are many tasks we face that push us to our limits, and we may unconsciously avoid these duties when possible because we think we are not capable of handling them successfully. However, if you tackle these tasks during the periods when you feel most vital and alive, you are less likely to be overwhelmed by them. The copious amounts of physical and mental energy flowing through you will provide you with the energy you need to overcome adverse conditions without giving up your optimism to disappointment. When you’re in a good mood, you’ll overcome most of the obstacles that stand between you and success.

While a number of duties may be waiting for your attention, you can accomplish a great deal by channeling your resources toward the more challenging ones. The fact that you have physical and mental energy means that you can tackle difficult tasks without feeling overwhelmed as the day progresses. Your vital and living approach to life can help you make the most of your skills when facing daunting tasks by giving you the confidence you need to believe in yourself, even when the cards are against you.

o * – Source: Time Management Training.com, 2002

or –Source: Mind Tools, Inc.

o Goal setting: four steps

http://ezinearticles.com/?Goal-Setting–Four-Steps&id=505572