Ten Minutes
Do you have ten minutes to spare? If you are reading this, I think it's a fair assumption that you do. People throughout history have thought and written extensively about the concept, management, and use of time. Rather than try to tackle such a nebulous topic in its entirety, today I'm going to show you how just ten minutes can make all the difference in the world.
Early to Rise
Get up ten minutes earlier in the morning. Yes, just ten minutes earlier. Use the time to stretch, to make coffee, to brush your teeth, or to simply take your time with your routine without adding anything. You will be amazed at what not rushing adds to your day.
I personally like to take the extra time to meditate, as the benefits of doing so are practically limitless. However, you should use the time in whatever way improves the start of your day. The important part, as with so much of what we do here, is to DO IT.
On Time is Late
Plan to arrive at work or your first obligation of the day day ten minutes early, even if you work from home or are going to a social obligation. Despite the cliche, there is nothing fashionable about being late, and showing up exactly on time just makes you look like you are doing the bare minimum.
Plan to arrive early, and you will still be just on time if something comes up. You can't control traffic or any of the other external factors that effect your travel to your destination, but you can control your own time and planning. By showing up early, you show your boss, family, and friends that you are organized, professional, and respect their time. This can only have positive effects on your relationships.
Late to Depart
Leave work ten minutes late whenever possible. You may have to get approval for this if you are paid hourly, but chances are people will be too busy appreciating the extra effort you are putting in to care.
No one respects the person who is just punching the time clock, arriving exactly at opening time and leaving exactly at closing time. No matter how hard this person works or what results they get, the appearance of dashing out the door at the exact second the day ends will make them look like they are just doing the minimum. Avoid that appearance, and stay ten minutes late whenever possible.
Catch up on E-mails, finish or get started on a project, or invent work to do if you need to. Don't make a big show of this, or it will defeat the purpose. No one likes a show off or brown noser. Just quietly stay those extra ten minutes and work a bit harder than everyone else. If someone asks you what you're doing, just tell them there are some things you want to make sure you finish before you leave. Let your actions speak for you.
Your Ten Minutes
As always, I want to hear from all of you. Tell us about your own time management tools. If you used the Ten Minutes method and it got you results, let us know and tell us how.