We all have the same amount of time available to us. So what differentiates those who achieve better results from the rest?

One of the key factors is where we invest our time.

Getting clear on where you are investing your time starts with recording where you are spending it. Keep track of where your time is being spent for a week or two and see if you are investing it on those things that make a difference.

Once you know where you are spending your time, you can start to make changes that really make a difference to the results that you achieve.

So what’s your first step?

Duncan Brodie of Goals and Achievements helps accountants and health professionals to achieve success and realize their professional potential through being highly effective leaders and managers. For more information and to sign up for his free audio e-course click here

So what are the secrets of achieving work / life balance?

Secret 1: Decide that it matters to you
• It seems obvious but you need to decide that getting some sort of sensible balance matters to you.

Secret 2: Set boundaries

• We all need money to live. At the same time, it is of little benefit if you are so burned out that you cannot enjoy the non-work time. Set boundaries on how much time you want to spend at work and stick to them.

Secret 3: Let others know your boundaries

• If you are happy for people to contact you any time they like by ‘phone or on your Blackberry, that’s fine. On the other hand, if you are not, make it clear to others what is okay and what is not.

Secret 4: Turn off gadgets

• If you are a doctor or on-call in your job, you need your ‘phone and email on. If not, you can probably turn off your gadgets.

Secret 5: Ask yourself what you would say on your death bed

• I remember a fairly new trainee saying to me when I worked at one of the Big 4 Accounting Firms, Do you want to be lying on your death bed saying, ‘I wish I had spent more time at work’? Essentially, she was saying, Decide on your priorities.

Secret 6: Focus

• It is not about working harder; it is about working smarter.

Secret 7: Track your time investment

• Once you start tracking where you are investing your time, you start to get insights on where you need to change.

What other secrets would you add?

Duncan Brodie of Goals and Achievements helps accountants and health professionals to achieve success and realize their professional potential through being highly effective leaders and managers. For more information and to sign up for his free audio e-course click here

As a result, how you manage your time is vital to the results that you get.

So what are some of the secrets?

1. Be clear on what your priorities are and what you are expected to deliver.
2. Plan how you are going to invest your time.
3. Keep a track of where you are spending your time.
4. Do what you do best.
5. Delegate and empower others.
6. Set boundaries.
7. Focus on results.
8. Keep a sense of balance so that your productivity does not dip.

The truth is, how you manage your time makes a big difference to your productivity and results. So what have you found makes a big difference to managing your time?

Duncan Brodie of Goals and Achievements helps accountants and health professionals to achieve success and realize their professional potential through being highly effective leaders and managers. For more information and to sign up for his free audio e-course click here

1. Determine what things are most critical to your success or results that you want to achieve.
2. Prioritise every day so that your time and energies go first on those things that contribute most to your results.
3. Work in short, focussed blocks rather than long, marathon sessions.
4. Minimise the distractions that get in the way of you getting things done.
5. Build some slack into the schedule to deal with those surprises or emergencies that occur from time to time.
6. Track where your time is going and make adjustments if it is not being invested appropriately.

I wonder what tips you would add to make the most of your ultimate limiting factor?

Duncan Brodie of Goals and Achievements helps accountants and health professionals to achieve success and realize their professional potential through being highly effective leaders and managers. For more information and to sign up for his free audio e-course click here

Tip 1: Get clear on your goals

Tip 2: Think clearly, calmly and positively

Tip 3: Stop moaning about the circumstances and start taking action

Tip 4: Say no when you really cannot take on anything else

Tip 5: Take breaks and try to get some exercise

Tip 6: When you are working, focus on working

Tip 7: Tidy your desk so that you can find things quickly

Tip 8: Tackle the time bandits who steal your time

So what other tips would you add?

1. What are my priorities?
2. Where am I spending my time?
3. What are my time stealers?

If you have enjoyed this post you might like to check out the free audio masterclass profiting from prioritising