KEEPING UP WITH YOUR READING MATERIAL I would imagine, in the full scheme of things that take place in your work day, reading informational and reference material doesn't take very high priority. But in the meantime, while you are trying to find the time to get to it, the magazines, periodicals and reports most likely just keep piling up. Will you ever find the time to read? No, probably never. But part of time management is to make the time. For a great many of you, it is important that you are up to date on what is happening in your industry. You need to find out about any new procedures or equipment that will make your job easier or better, and what is out there that will help you make more money, if you are self-employed. So you see, it really is important that you make the time for reading. But first, it is just as important to evaluate all the materials you are receiving to read. What is important, and what is just totally unnecessary. Cull out those that will not improve your life or make you money, and use your precious time to read what is really important to you. Cancel subscriptions for magazines or reports that will not actually improve your life or business, or advance your career. Be firm about this. Redirect all the fun stuff to your home address for you to enjoy in your leisure time. Commit time to read, every day, if you receive a large volume of informational material, otherwise plan time a couple of times a week. Mark it in your calendar as you would any other commitment. If you eat lunch alone, use that time to read. Whatever time of day works best for you. You may want to take time first thing in the morning, or over a cup of coffee, if it is a quiet time where you are. Otherwise, maybe at the end of the day. Plan on 45 minutes to an hour so you have the time to concentrate and can absorb or take notes on what you are reading. Decide how important it is for you to be well informed and current on what is happening in your industry and plan the time to do what you need to do to stay on top of your business or career. A question I am asked quite often is, what organization tools do I use. To organize myself and plan my time and tasks, I use a calendar with space each day to write in, a 'to do' list and a planner. I am partial to a paper planner, one that I can have open on my desk. You may prefer an electronic organizer or a hand held planner. That's fine, just as long as you are using it to its potential. Of all the planners I have tried, I prefer the Franklin planner above all others. I can have a two-page monthly calendar in it which gives me room to write in each day my meetings, appointments and future commitments as well as a space along the side for any notes. Each day opens to two pages. On the left page is a place for me to write my daily 'to do' list, and also an appointment schedule column for that day's appointments and commitments. The right page is lined and open for me to write any phone numbers, events to remember, and thoughts that have occurred during the day. Franklin also makes this same planner as an electronic organizer, as well as a hand held portable planner. It is important to me to have all this information in one place, and that is portable so I can take it with me when away from my office. I suggest you consider doing the same. There is much more in this planner that I use to record various kinds of information, such as references for building my web site, where and when I have submitted my articles for print, speaker bureau and conference information. You get the idea. If you do not have a planning tool that does a good job of helping you be better organized, you need to get one. Make sure it has the three key elements I mentioned in the first paragraph - a calendar, a place to write your 'to do' list and a good planner. Whether you prefer a paper, electronic or hand held planner, you might want to take a look at the Franklin Covey planners at http://www.pilestofiles.com/francoveyintro.html. I highly recommend it. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Carol Halsey Business Organizing Solutions Voice - 907-357-4086 Fax - 907-357-3546 mailto:chalsey@gci.net http://www.pilestofiles.com © 2002 Business Organizing Solutions All rights reserved in all countries.