Computer Time Management

When we think of time management, we typically think of ways to manage our clock time. Time management seminars teach us to prioritize, balance, categorize our "to do" lists, and create colorful schedules. Seldom do we hear about how to manage the ubiquitous tool in our personal and professional lives known as our computer.

Managing computer time is an integral component of our managing our time overall. You can get the most from the time you spend on your computers by following these suggestions.

·        Use the fastest-processing machine you can afford or acquire for the type of computing work that you do. Saving money by squeezing the last ounce of performance available on your current machine is a noble budgetary feat. You can be more productive, however, with an upgraded model.

·        Group the same kinds of tasks together OR use a suite of products that work together. Sometimes, working on multiple word processing or data entry tasks while your mind focuses on these types of tasks is more effective than switching gears across word processing, database, spreadsheet, and presentation tasks. At other times a project dictates that you perform different functions at the same time because they constitute a "natural" workflow. In such cases, use a suite of products that feed output to each other and whose applications can all be open at the same time. The typical example of such applications is the Office suite of products.

·        No longer does it save your computer to turn it off every night. Leave your computer "on" to avoid wasting time with start-up and shutdown procedures. Use a screen saver to avoid burning a continuous image onto your screen. Use power saver options to slow-down your hard drive and turn off your monitor.

·        Create templates for repetitive products. When you produce letters, FAXes, presentations, diagrams, spreadsheets, agendas, or other output regularly, create formats and forms you can use over again. Simply replace the text, data, and images as appropriate.

·        Use web-based applications and secure links to your computer´s data drives so that you can work from anywhere there is Internet access. You will be able to use the same programs and data as you use at your primary work location. This avoids forgetting to copy a file to a portable storage device, worrying about whether another computer runs the same programs, and cuts down on the time spent locating and copying files for transport.