做好时间管理 告别拖拉懒散

 　　我们每天都在努力地合理安排时间。工作中，我们总是挣扎于最后的期限、成堆的电子邮件和未完成的事务清单。回到家里，我们又要面临有一大堆做不完的家务琐事。专家赫佩尔教你如何集中精力，做好时间管理。

　　Publicise your deadlineA powerful anti-procrastination tip is to put yourself on record.

　　When you're working on a project, look at the person you're doing the task for and say to them: 'You will have this information by 4pm on Thursday.'

　　As you do that, you're instantly setting yourself a deadline that makes you think: 'I've got to get this done!'

　　Most people would say: 'I'll get that to you as soon as possible.'

　　That could mean next week. But it works much better if you set yourself a specific deadline and announce it publicly.

　　Tackle the most important stuff firstAlways do the most important task first, rather than the most urgent or hardest. Some things seem urgent, such as a ringing phone or an email alert. But you don't know if they're urgent until you've opened the email or answered the phone. These shouldn't even be on your radar¹.

　　Instead, respond to emails only two or three times a day. And if the phone rings and you're busy, delegate someone else in the office to answer it.

　　Repeat 'do it now' like a crazy personWhen it comes to housework and other chores, we know what we have to do, but it's always much easier once we get started. Who wants to do the ironing or clean the loo? Not many of us. So how do you inspire yourself to do these tasks?

　　It all about having an affirmation. Try repeating the words, 'Do It Now! Do It Now!' out loud.

　　Yes, you may feel like a bit of a prat, but there's something about saying these words verbally that makes you take action, even if it's putting away socks. Only do this when no one else is around!

　　Set rewards for yourselfCreate a reward system for yourself. Procrastinators will say: 'I'm working from home today so I can get that report sorted. But first I'll have a cup of tea.'

　　As the kettle's boiling, they'll switch on daytime TV. The next thing they know, they've watched an hour of This Morning.

　　Then they switch on the computer, have a 'quick look' at Facebook and suddenly another hour's gone.

　　Instead, give yourself a reward, but only after achieving a pre-ordained amount of work, such as writing 500 words.

　　Even simple things such as a cup of tea, a digestive biscuit or a magazine can be used as rewards, and you'll appreciate them more.

　　Use technology to block the InternetSo many people complain: 'I get 500 emails a day.' You know what? If you're getting 500 emails a day, you need to learn how to put filters on your computer. And turn off the email alert. It's one of the most terrible inventions for a procrastinator².

　　Imagine these emails are people interrupting you — how would you react?

　　You could also try downloading free applications that help your time management. For instance, if you use the internet browser³ Firefox, LeechBlock (visit addons.mozilla.org) stops distracting websites such as Facebook from loading during designated times (say, between 10am and 5pm).

　　Organise⁴ your leisure timeIn the middle of the week, write a list to plan your weekend. A lot of people think it's boring to plot your weekend like that, but it's not. Some people have an amazing quality of life just because they've scheduled it.

　　How many times have you rung up a favourite restaurant to find out it's all booked up?

　　The truth is, all those tables have been reserved by non-procrastinaters who were organised.

　　You're always better off scheduling a few things — you'll get more out of life.

　　Avoid the time-spongersIf you know that someone is a time-sapper, stay out of their way. If you can't avoid them, devise ways so you don't get caught up talking to them.

　　If you need to get something done, you don't need John or Betty telling you that 'you'll never guess what happened to me last night'.

　　Instead of getting bogged⁵ down listening to them, say: 'I really appreciate you telling me this, but can you tell me in four hours after I've done this report?'

　　If you have that positive little script worked out in your head beforehand, you won’t seem rude.

　　Tap into your natural circadian rhythmPeople certainly have times when they're most productive, known scientifically as circadian rhythms.

　　You could acknowledge 'I'm not a morning person', but you should never use that as an excuse. If you know you work better during a certain time in the day, schedule your most important tasks for that time.

1 radar   

n.雷达，无线电探测器

参考例句：

• They are following the flight of an aircraft by radar.他们正在用雷达追踪一架飞机的飞行。
• Enemy ships were detected on the radar.敌舰的影像已显现在雷达上。

2 procrastinator   

n. 拖延者, 拖拉者, 因循者

参考例句：

• General Peckem's communications about cleanliness and procrastination made Major Major feel like a filthy procrastinator. 佩克姆将军谈到清洁和拖延的那些简报，使梅杰少校感到自己象一个邋遢的、作风拖拉的家伙。
• This is also a great help if you are a procrastinator. 如果你是一个拖拉的人，这样会对你很有帮助。

3 browser   

n.浏览者

参考例句：

• View edits in a web browser.在浏览器中看编辑的效果。
• I think my browser has a list of shareware links.我想在浏览器中会有一系列的共享软件链接。

4 organise   

vt.组织，安排，筹办

参考例句：

• He has the ability to organise.他很有组织才能。
• It's my job to organise all the ceremonial events.由我来组织所有的仪式。

5 bogged   

adj.陷于泥沼的v.（使）陷入泥沼， （使）陷入困境( bog的过去式和过去分词 )；妨碍，阻碍

参考例句：

• The professor bogged down in the middle of his speech. 教授的演讲只说了一半便讲不下去了。 来自《现代英汉综合大词典》
• The tractor is bogged down in the mud. 拖拉机陷入了泥沼。 来自《简明英汉词典》