What does time management have to do with positive processes? Well, I can tell you that I, for one, feel a lot more positively about my life when I’m not stepping over piles in my office and when my bills are paid on time. I have found David Allen’s book Getting Things Done particulary helpful in seeing the big picture of organizing my time and my stuff. He writes that there are five stages of mastering workflow.

• 1. Collect things that command your attention
  • a. Capture in containers (folders, notes on your planner, email alerts, voicemail reminders)
  • b. Use as few as you can get away with
  • c. Empty them frequently
• 2. Process what they mean and what to do with them
  • a. What is actionable
  • b. If not actionable, trash, delegate, keep as reference
  • c. What is the next action
  • • i. Do it
  • • ii. Delegate it
  • • iii. Defer it
• 3. Organize the results
  • a. Calendars, list of projects
  • b. Reminders of next steps
  • c. Reminders of things you’re waiting for
• 4. Review as options for what we choose to do
  • a. Weekly review
• 5. DO
  • a. Criteria by which to decide what to do
  • • i. Context- what you can do in the moment
  • • ii. Time available
  • • iii. Energy available
  • • iv. Priority

Hope these are helpful in your work, your studies and your life. Allen’s book, available in paperback, is well worth your valuable time.