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Updated: September 16, 2019 Ask ACE

How to manage your time effectively

By Jim Milliken, Consultant

Q: I have a terrible time with time management. How can I get control without all the stress – and wasted time?

ACE Advises: The most frequent cause of time management failure is that people start at the wrong end of the process. They allocate time, then try to squeeze in the plan. That never works.

Successful personal productivity starts at the other end, determining the desired result. You get clear on what is to be done, then figure out how long it will take.

Another common problem is dealing with dissatisfaction on the part of stakeholders. It’s more time-efficient to head that off before it arises.

Both issues require clarification: How is the intended outcome described? What will it take to achieve it? Have all affected parties participated or been consulted? Is the plan known and understood by all? Is there an effective communication process in place?

Those preparation activities all take time. If any are skipped or hurried, the price will be paid in repair time.

Much time waste also can be attributed to undisciplined performance and failures of collaboration.

The first questions — about what is desired and what is to be done — are very often taken for granted by all. Serious mistake. The inevitable gaps in understanding should be exposed in upfront consultation rather than in costly operations.

However, the responsible person not infrequently finds that the owners of all those differing assumptions see no need to “waste” time talking about them. Let’s stop gabbing and get going!

So effective time management isn’t actually managing time. You can’t manage time. You manage process and relationships.

If you have a question for an ACE expert, contact Jim Milliken at jim@millikenproject.com

About ACE

The Association for Consulting Expertise (ACE) is a nonprofit association of independent consultants who value “Success through Collaboration.” The public is welcome to attend its regular meetings to share best practices and engage with industry experts. For more information go to www.consultexpertise.com.

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