Retail Observer

RETAILOBSERVER.COM OCTOBER 2016 34 W e hear constant news about the need to better manage our natural resources. Much of the planet is already suffering from drought; forests are disappearing rapidly; once-raging rivers are becoming just trickling streams. Whether you believe in global warming or not, we're certainly in a period of climate change. It's no longer just environmentalists concerned about clean water, breathable air and arable land to feed over seven billion people. But there's another natural resource in limited supply and we feel almost helpless to do anything about it—and that's time. Most of us are in serious time starvation—too much to do and not enough hours in the day. Where technology once freed people and gave them leisure time, today's technological advances eat into precious time. The industrial revolution gave workers shorter work days, vacations and regular days off. Advances in farming meant that farming families could send their kids to school instead of use them in the fields. But now, we live in a time when we're expected to be linked in and online 24/7. The result, though, is less not more productivity. It was once considered a professional courtesy to return telephone calls within two days. Most tried to return them the same day. Now, the Internet police have apparently ruled that email must be checked hourly and texts demand immediate response. I'm guilty—I've already checked my mail twice since I started this column—but I'm actively trying to use my time more effectively. While visiting my family in California recently, I was nearly beaten by my three-year-old nephew for running water in the sink while I was washing some dishes. Why don't we treat time the same as other precious resources? If you're like me, much of what comes into my email inbox is promotional. Sure, I've signed up for Amazon's latest video offerings and I love the new R. E. I. Garage, but I'm no longer going to let incoming messages stop me from what I'm doing. Most of my texts come from family and friends—not clients or prospects. They're pictures of kids or invitations for dinner. Pressing? I don't think so. Time management has always been one of the most important business skills. It's best defined as working smarter to enhance productivity. Now, more than ever we need to be vigilant about protecting this most vital resource. There's a great assessment tool to help you see how well you manage your time at www.mindtools.com/pages/article/newHTE_88.htm. After taking the two-minute test, you'll have a good idea of the areas in which you need to concentrate. Courtesy of www.mindtools.com, here are some of the best tools to more effectively use your time. • Set goals. What do you want to accomplish today? This week? This year? Be specific. Post your list where you can see it regularly. • Establish priorities. What do you need to do first to get to your goal? What steps are next? Be sure to include time for rest and relaxation and to improve your fitness level. • Manage interruptions. Check email once in the morning; once at noon and again before you go home. Don't spend valuable family time on the Internet. Be willing to close your door to get a project done and let the phone go to voicemail. • Don't procrastinate. Do the most important, hardest, most time- consuming jobs first. • Schedule your day.* Scheduling is the art of planning your activities so that you can achieve your goals and priorities in the time you have available. When it's done effectively, it helps you: –Understand what you can realistically achieve with your time. –Make sure you have enough time for essential tasks. –Add contingency time for "the unexpected." –Avoid taking on more than you can handle. –Work steadily toward your personal and career goals. –Have enough time for family and friends, exercise and hobbies. –Achieve a good work-life balance. *www.mindtools.com/pages/article/newHTE_07.htm Most of us are mindful about using water and energy. We pay more to buy efficient cars; we have low-flush toilets and low-flow showers; we limited watering our lawns and gardens as much as possible. Applying that same mindfulness to the time we have available will have great payoffs. You'll quit saying "I don't have time" and be able to get more done in less time. You'll have less stress and more fun. Time is the most fleeting resource we have. Don't waste a second. Elly Valas is an author, speaker and retail consultant. She can be reached at elly@ellyvalas.com or 303-316-7568. Elly Valas Retail Views RO TIM E: THE RAREST OF RESOURCES

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