I get asked all the time about how I juggle everything I need to do and get so much done. Today, I want to share some of my key time-management and task-management systems with you. (You know how I am all about systems!)
First is my Hour of Power. It’s just an hour, no more, no less, but it’s incredibly powerful to get my to-do list whittled down. In this hour, I prioritize my tasks and tackle the most urgent ones. No calls, no emails, no distractions whatsoever. For more details on how to implement this in your workflow, here’s my free Hour of Power guide.
Second, I group tasks together by similar topics. When I’m in a writing mood, I do all my writing tasks. When I’m feeling visual and creative, I’ll do my creative tasks. Trying to force yourself to do a task that you’re not in the mood for makes the work incredibly difficult. This plays into my Hour of Power, but it’s also true for the analytical work, marketing, and teaching I do.
Third, I color-code and organize everything: projects, finances, lesson plans, and even my office! It might take a few extra seconds to color code the spread sheet or switch pen colors in my notes, but it helps my brain remember and organize all the moving parts. I have to keep my office tidy because I can’t think when it’s messy. The time I take to organize and clean is usually less than the time I would spend struggling to ignore the mess or re-reading and re-re-reading my work.
Finally, I am very visual, so I will use PowerPoint to build a visual plan for everything. Whether I’m taking notes or planning a seminar or giving my design team feedback, PowerPoint is my go-to resource to help me organize my thoughts.
Do your best to find a system that works for you. I know you can do it! I’ve got some resources in Club Zebra to help you organize your task- and time-management, so check it out and tailor it to your needs.
By Denise Lones CSP, M.I.R.M., CDEI - The founding partner of The Lones Group, Denise Lones, brings nearly three decades of experience in the real estate industry. With agent/broker coaching, expertise in branding, lead generation, strategic marketing, business analysis, new home project planning, product development, Denise is nationally recognized as the source for all things real estate. With a passion for improvement, Denise has helped thousands of real estate agents, brokers, and managers build their business to unprecedented levels of success, while helping them maintain balance and quality of life.