Transcripts

Ruth Klein:
I have to work at it. So for example, first thing in the morning - I know that is a real pivotal point and there are pivotal triggers throughout the day.

Productivity expert Ruth Klein, author of the book Time Management for Working Women, says the morning sets the tone for the rest of the day.

So what I do is, I really stay focused and I take five or ten minutes getting my thoughts organized. Sitting, planning and thinking - even though I've done that the night before.

And Ruth says it's important during the day to re-evaluate how the day is going.

So in the afternoon, usually around "2-ish", I just take a few moments and get re-grounded again and say, "OK, what is the most important use of my time right now?"

Of course the way to get things done is to actually do them.

So I recommend to my clients that they have at least four hours a day that is peak time - concentrated time where they are not interrupted. But they don't take those four hours all at one time. What I would recommend and what I do is I go in fifty minute intervals. So my peak energy, my high time, is in the morning. And that's something else you really need to be attuned to; when your high energy is, when you feel the best, when you have those ideas coming, when you're the freshest.

Tomorrow more tips for getting things done - I'm Mike Carruthers and that's Something You Should Know.