Resources for Improving Time Management

Books, Websites and Other Sources to Increase Productivity

Dec 30, 2008

Increased productivity can be achieved with improved time management skills. This article presents a variety of sources to improve time management.

Time management is an essential skill for both academics and professionals. Both fields require a high level of personal productivity and one way to increase productivity is to improve time management skills.

Improved time management skills allow employees to complete tasks and projects faster, multi-task and work on more than one project or assignment at a time, and achieve an ideal work life balance.

Time management skills can be improved in a variety of ways using a myriad of sources. Books, websites and other sources offer suggestions, exercises, inspiration and knowledge to help employees, executives and professors improve time management and experience a higher level of productivity.

Books for Better Time Management

Time management books belong to all of the above listed genres. It is difficult to label time management as any one of these genres in particular as it is an amalgam of all of the above. Also, because time management is an executive function, it relies on the development of several cognitive skills.

Some of the classic books to help individuals improve their time management skills are:

Stephen Covey's 7 Habits has developed into a successful series of books while David Allen's Getting Things Done (GTD) has sparked a huge internet following with different professionals and GTD'ers putting their own interpretations and spins on his basic time and project management system.

Julie Morgenstern is one of the inspirations for Marla's life management system, FlyLady.

Websites for Increased Productivity

The internet is full of ways to waste time and sites with misinformation, but the following websites include helpful tips and suggestions for those hoping to improve time management or find the ideal work life balance.

Leo Babauta's blog, Zen Habits, includes posts on time management and productivity, but his blog is exceptional due to the caliber of his regular and guest authors who go beyond offering simple productivity tips. They offer suggestions that can be implemented in everyday life and while the suggestions are not always easy to begin doing, they are always useful and can make a significant positive impact on one's productivity. Zen Habits also includes suggestions for improving areas of life outside of work such as family time, health, exercise and community service.

Life Optimizer is a blog focused on personal growth and effectiveness including time management and productivity. Life Optimizer is unique in that among the posts regarding efficiency and productivity are lists of books worth reading as well as short, easy to read posts with concrete tips and ways to implement them. This blog also offers additional advice on improving finances and handling money matters.

Other Resources for Improving Time Management

The FlyLady system was originally designed with homemakers in mind, however, the system is flexible and it can be modified to fit the schedules and demands of working professionals.

Life coaches can help individuals improve time management skills while tutors and mentors may help an individual improve the cognitive skills needed for better time management.

Some community colleges and employers offer classes and courses in business or psychology. Not all business and psychology classes will include methods for improving time management and productivity, but some do, and by carefully reading course descriptions an appropriate class can be selected.

Improving Productivity and Time Management

Productivity and time management can be improved in a variety of ways. Some people prefer to read books to learn more about the subject while others may prefer websites and more direct, concrete tips to immediately implement.

By using a variety of books, websites and resources both academics and professionals can increase personal productivity and improve time management,

The copyright of the article Resources for Improving Time Management in Soft Skills Development is owned by Tracey Carter. Permission to republish Resources for Improving Time Management in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.