Take back your time with the 4 D's

Time. Like many of us, I never seem to have enough of it. Although most days I'm fairly good at managing my time sometimes I have to take a minute to consider what is eating up my day.

There are (at least) six common obstacles with time management but I’m only going to focus on one: the unrealistic workload.

First, realize and accept that you may be overbooked. For whatever reason, you have too many important things filling up your calendar. But time is finite, you cannot do everything and be everywhere. Start by thinking about how little you can do instead of how much you can do.

Next, use the Four D's: delete, delay, diminish, and delegate.

• Delete: What does not add enough value to warrant the time you invest? Ask yourself, “What's the worst that could happen if X went undone?”
  

• Delay: Look for items that can easily be rescheduled for another time. Ask yourself, “Is this the best time of the day/week/month/year to do X?” Delay is not the same as procrastination, which is an indefinite postponement.
  

• Diminish: Eliminate anything unnecessary by finding a more efficient way to do the task. Ask yourself, “Is there a better way to do X?”
  

• Delegate: Ensure the best use of your time by asking yourself, “Would someone else do X better, faster . . . or good enough?”

Finally, take a minute to write down what you are spending too much time on, what you keep putting off, and anything you regret volunteering for/committing to. Use the Four D's to open up some time in your day, your week, and your life.