Use these tips to make sure time doesn’t get away from you.

1. Have a Plan (and stick to it)  Make a personal daily schedule. Don’t check your phone as soon as you wake up or let other people’s emergencies run your day. Avoid unscheduled phone calls. Check emails at pre-determined times. Keep a notepad and pencil nearby. Jot down projects or ideas that spring to mind so they don’t distract you and hijack your plan.

2. Plan ahead. Look at your calendar the night before, 15 minutes before you leave work, or first thing in the morning. Write down your top 3 high-impact tasks, so you don’t wander aimlessly taking care of trivial matters.

3. Prioritize, don’t procrastinate. Do your important work first. What will make the most impact? Start with that.

4. Work when you’re most productive. If you’re most productive at 5 AM, schedule your most important work for that time.

5. Set time boundaries for online use. Set specific times when you’ll be available to chat or check websites.

6. Challenge and reward yourself. Set a goal that’s difficult, but not impossible, then reward yourself.

7. Take sprints. Set a timer. When your timer is ticking, focus and work in sprint mode.

8. Schedule fun time. Take time to do the things you enjoy. All work no play makes cranky, uncreative people.

9. Unplug and work on battery power.  Create a sense of urgency to get things done by working on battery power, where time is limited.

10. Batch errands: Maximize efficiency & minimize time wasted on tedious errands by doing as many as you can at one time. For example, keep a shopping list and get everything you need on one trip just like you save laundry loads until you have enough articles to wash.