MAY TICK TOCK! For the month of July, we will focus on time management. The following pages contain verbiage, tips, a printable poster and other articles and resources that you can reference and share with your co-workers and employees.

WHAT AND WHY: There are a lot of things vying for your attention these days. If only we had more time! Unfortunately, we are all allotted the same hours in a day. Packing too much in or feeling overwhelmed by all there is to accomplish only leads to stress. So this month, we are looking at ways to work smarter. Let’s find ways to use the precious time we are given more wisely. [INSERT INFORMATION ABOUT THIS MONTH’S ACTIVITY, WHERE TO SIGN UP AND HOW TO START.] MORE: Time management strategies Tune out the noise. Whether it is s or interruptions from colleagues, there will always be distractions from those things that really need your attention. Being ruthlessly focused lets you cancel out the noise and complete those tasks that actually create value for your business. Procrastination is the nemesis of time management. Your fear of doing things you don’t really want to do had lots of negative implications. The time to act is now. Handle things as they come across your desk and move on. Don’t try to eat the elephant in one bite. Having a “to-do” list a mile long can be intimidating. Break down the project or goal into smaller pieces or tasks and cross them off your list as you go. And don’t be shy about looking at those items that are crossed off and feeling a bit of pride in what you have accomplished.

IDEAS FOR ACTIVITIES: Hang a sheet of paper in the break room where colleagues can share their own time savings tricks. Designate a quiet hour at work where colleagues promise not to interrupt one another. Keep a log of how you spend your time for one week. Include what time you actually get out of bed, and how long it really takes to do certain tasks. You might be surprised at where your time is going. Encourage staff to watch these short videos: How to Manage Your Time Better: How to Stop Procrastinating:

THE MORE YOU KNOW! 25 TIPS, TIDBITS OF TRIVIA AND TWEETS ABOUT TIME MANAGEMENT. SHARE ONE VIA EACH DAY OR POST THEM NEXT TO THE WATER COOLER. 1. Take the first 30 minutes of every day to plan your day. Don't start your day until you complete your time plan. The most important time of your day is the time you schedule to schedule time. 2. The first hour of the work day is the best time to assess priorities and to focus on what you absolutely need to accomplish. 3. Make a Time Diary. Take a week and plot out what you do every day. Be honest. If you watch 25 hours of TV each week, write it down. 4. Learn to say NO. When someone asks you to do something that you really don't have time to do, say so, politely, but firmly. And don't allow yourself to feel guilty. 5. Block out other distractions like Facebook and other forms of social media unless you use these tools to generate business. 6. Setting a timer can be one of the best ways to motivate yourself. For instance, if you give yourself only 30 minutes to tidy your house, you will most likely get more cleaned in less time than if you weren’t racing against the clock. 7. Wake up early. Set an earlier wake up time and stick to it. By starting the day earlier, you are making the most of those quiet, calmer morning hours and can really pack some tasks in.

MORE TIPS: 8. Unsubscribe from s that are time wasters for you. If they are not useful, relevant, inspiring or something you can learn from, it’s clutter. 9. Plan the night before. Lay clothes out, pack your lunch, prepare the coffee. 10. Respond to s right away instead of leaving them in your inbox. 11. Take a lunch break/midday break. You’ll be more effective in the afternoon and re-energized. 12. Clear the clutter off of your desk and other visible surfaces, then only have out what you are currently working on. That way, your eye (and your attention) won’t be drawn away as easily. 13. Try to complete all of one type of to-do before moving on to the next task. Make all of your calls, do all of your filing, and then send all of your s. 14. Schedule time for interruptions. Plan time to be pulled away from what you're doing. 15. Keep frequently-used items where you can easily access them and not cluttered up with items you don't use often.

MORE TIPS: 16. Keep a basket for library books and movies. After they are read/watched, return them to the basket. When it comes time to return then, simply grab the basket and go. 17. Each night, select your outfit for the next day. 18. Allow time for breaks between projects, your brain will be more focused and motivated. 19. Find time to relax. This will reduce anxiety and show you that there is no need to constantly rush. 20. Most people need 7-8 hours of sleep for their bodies and minds to function optimally. You know if you’re getting enough. Listen to your body, and don’t underestimate the value of sleep. 21. Always carry something to do with you when you go out -- a reading file or a project, perhaps. 22. Spend your TV viewing time wisely. Pay bills, clip coupons, iron, or work on tomorrow's to-do list while watching your favorite programs.

MORE TIPS: 23. Save time by withdrawing enough cash to last until you receive your next paycheck. Stopping at the bank once every two weeks instead of twice a week can save you 19 hours per year! 24. Plan on spending five minutes on something you have been procrastinating. The most difficult step of any task you've been putting off is the first step. Generally, once you start, you will not stop after only five minutes. 25. Target to be early. When you target to be on time, you’ll either be on time or late. Most of the times you’ll be late. However, if you target to be early, you’ll most likely be on time. 26. Since you can’t do everything, learn to prioritize the important and let go of the rest. 27. Keep a notebook and write everything down. Your goals, your tasks, books you want to read, ingenious ideas that happen to pop into your head.

APPENDIX: We can’t take all of the credit. In compiling this information, we referenced the following organizations and websites: ineedmoretime.com