Time Management: 3 Free Ways to Hack Your Time
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The ability to efficiently keep track of your appointments, your progress, and your day not only keeps you organized, but more importantly frees up a lot of potentially wasted time.
Don't spend your well-deserved money on all of the various, a sometimes cumbersome time organizing systems. Learn to take advantage of the free methods of organization that is already at your fingertips.
Here are three tools you can begin to use starting today:
1. Cell Phone Applications. Most basic cell phones have built applications such as a calendar, voice recorder, notepad, alarm clock, and timer. More advanced and sophisticated phones include access to your email system, GPS, a contact list that provides you with the ability to record email addresses and other more detailed personal data, as well as the ability to down load countless of time saving applications that are unique to your needs.
2. Email Calendar. Imagine never forgetting an important date again! Most email platforms have a calendar application. With the calendar application you can schedule appointments and important dates which automatically notify you before the event by email or text message. With some of these platforms you also have the capability to share your calendar with your family, friends, or coworkers.
3. Free Online Reminder Services. There are several online web applications that are free and easy to use such as memotome.com, and freminder.com that will send you a reminder in your email box or via text message of important tasks and dates that you don’t want to forget. My favorite is remindeo.com which also gives you the capability to create a daily calendar or daily planner, and make notes and lists.
“Hacking” in computer slang means to go through the back door in order to break into a computer or computer software. By utilizing the free organization applications available to you through your cell phone, email program, and through free online reminder services, you can immediately hack not only your time, but also your life.
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Hello Dardarji, it's amazing that we have lots of technology to help us manage our time. It many people still find themselves overworked and overwhelmed. I always believe that it's not time that we have to manage but our activities.
@Maddie Ruud. I was addicted to angry birds but I've been sober for several months now. LOL What smart phone do you intend to buy? Good luck with the purchase.
Time management is one of the biggest problems I have and I totally agree with the ideas you have listed in your article. Very good hub.
Thanks for the great comments. I am in the market for a "Smart" phone as well, but as my husband puts it - many "Smart" phone users are really dumb because they do not realize the value the phone apps have to help leverage their time.
And I totally agree with jpcmc - with all the free technology to help manage your time and leverage your life, that it is amazing that there are all those people out there overwhelmed!
I guess it all comes down to this: you are only as effective as the tools you actually use and apply in your life - right?
I'm going to get an iPhone. I have an original iPad, so it's not too much of a leap. The purchasing has been delayed to Friday... but I promise, I'm not going to procrastinate forever!
That's true dardarji, proper (or improper) use of tools can limit one's efficacy. But I also believe that the attitude and mindset of a person play a huge role in managing his time and activities. I guess that's why in spite of all the technology and tools available, people still find themselves in a pickle. Always cramming, always failing to be productive.
The genuine desire to be productive must come from within the person.
@Maddie. I don't know why, but I'm excited for you on your purchase.
Great, great article!
Voted up.
Time management is essential and yes, I use the right tools to assist me in managing the time I have between my day job, writing, and my personal life.
I call myself a relentless time manger because it's how I get to do everything I want, need and then the unexpected.
I also believe you have to use what works for you, test it for a reasonable amount of time and then see if it's making you more efficient in the long run.
I have also deleted apps (free ones!) off my devices because of non-use. I like to purge my devices at least once a quarter!
Again, great article.
I highly recommend the notes app!
Thanks Writerly Yours. I really like your tip of purging your devices at least once a quarter. I am going to follow your lead!
You are welcome!
Glad I could help. Yes, I purge to make space and get rid of what's not working and make space for something that will!
Thanks so much for your insight as well.
P.S, I too have an iPhone and will get an iPad soon as well. I have had an android, blackberry and a razor and the iPhone has been the one phone that I believe is the smartest (just my opinion--don't kill me! lol)
Well, I got my iPhone. And it's both helped me stay organized, and made me spend more time on my phone. So I guess both my fears and hopes were true. ;)
Maddie,
Enjoy it! Yes, I agree. Mine keeps me extremely organized! I'm on the iCloud right now too! hahhehehehehe.
@ maddie, Ongratulation on your new phone. Enjoy!
Maddie Ruud Level 5 Commenter 3 months ago
I know it's crazy for someone in my line of work, but I've resisted getting a smartphone for years, and tomorrow I'm actually going to bite the bullet and get one. They can be a huge time-saver if you don't get sucked into endless games of Angry Birds. :)