1. Embrace work. If you recognize that the more you accomplish, the better you'll feel about yourself and your life, you'll get more done.

2. Write a personal mission statement. Keep it short. Example: "I want to be a beloved manager while allowing time for my family and my hobby–acting." When unsure of which tasks to make priorities, your mission statement can often help you decide.

3. Be time aware. Time is your most valuable commodity. Recognizing that is the key to time management. So get in the habit of always asking yourself, "Is this a productive way to spend my time?" Then ask:

• Should I do this task myself, delegate it to someone else, or say no?
• If I'm going to do it, should I give it everything I've got, or is good enough good enough?
• If I'm not sure it's worth the time, whom should I ask?

4. Hire a personal assistant. I believe that every person who is not in poverty should hire one, even if just for a few hours a week. The assistant can run errands, clean, organize–things that you don't like to do and that someone else can do reasonably well without requiring much training. Having such help will free extra hours and could actually save you money if you spend your time wisely.

5. Avoid meetings. Meetings are often big time wasters. If you're the boss, think three times before deciding to convene a meeting, and think even harder about scheduling a recurring meeting. If a meeting is essential, invite only the people who really need to be there. Don't ask people to attend just "to be inclusive"–the time-suck usually outweighs the benefit. Be especially considerate of off-site people who might have to drive or fly to attend a meeting. Consider a teleconference or Web conference. In any event, before the meeting, send the participants a tight agenda and any homework they need to do in preparation.

If you're asked to attend a meeting–especially a recurring one–decide whether you really need to go. Today's corporate-think says, "Better to be inclusive than efficient." If you'd rather not attend, ask your boss. One approach: "I believe I could make better use of the time if I did x." Your boss may say no, but there's usually no harm in asking. And that's another key to good time management: Ask for what you want.

6. (Optional) Keep a time log. If you're not sure you're using your time effectively, keep a memo pad handy and log your activities for at least one day. Every time you change tasks, write the time and what you're starting to do. At the end of the day, review your log. Not sure you used your time productively? Show your log and the outcome of your work to someone who gets a lot done.

A time-effective summary of this article: Throughout the day, ask yourself, "Is this time efficient, and is it consistent with my personal mission statement?"

A super time-effective summary: Be conscientious about time.

Anyone wish this course were longer?