From: Calvin Langmade

Problem: Too many things to do, not enough time.

How many of you said, "No, duh" when reading the problem statement. Our lives have become significantly more cluttered despite our best intentions to simplify them. The clutter is a natural by-product to living a fast paced, high demand world. The reality is that it leaves everyone with too many things to do and no time to do it.

The real problem however is not the quantity of things or lack of time, but rather the problem is a lack of system that is simple to organize, schedule and prioritize the things we have to do.

Solution:

The OATS formula is one possible way of managing your time more efficiently.

Objectives:

• What results do you want to see by the end of the week?
• Write them down and rank them from highest priority to lowest.

Activities:

• What do you have to do to achieve your goals?
• List the necessary activities and put them in sequence.

Time:

• How much time will each activity require?
• Allow more time than expected (multiply your estimate by 1.5)

Schedule:

• Designate a specific time for each activity.
• Use an appointment book that has time increments for each day throughout the week.

Try to implement the OATS formula for the next month and see if it doesn’t help to manage your time better.

Next month’s Game Plan topic…How to identify your priorities.