Time management is really a misnomer. You cannot control time. It just keeps on ticking. What you can control is yourself. Self-management is an important component if you are ever going to get on top of “your stuff” in life.

We all have different ways of managing our stuff and much of it is personality driven. However, there is one area that is critical regardless of what time management system that you use:

The Collection Habit

Having a central place to collect everything is the most valuable thing you can do. Otherwise, do you know what happens? Our email inbox has a few things, our physical to do list more things, and our calendar a few items as well. It is okay to have a few collection buckets but the purpose is for all of it to go to one place.

Many people make the mistake of trying to go from an unorganized state to super-organized. That is a recipe for failure. Instead focus on one small habit for 30 days or more and then add to it later. Challenge yourself for the next 30 days to collect everything that comes to mind. If you don’t then you live paralized becuase it only takes a few items in your head to immobilize you. When you get it out on paper (or collection bucket) then you no longer have to try to remember to remember what you need to remember (make sense?)

Here are my collection buckets:

• Physical Inbox (Basket for mail, files, and letters) – I empty this out daily
• Wallet with 3×5 Cards – I have a wallet with a small pen and I record things that come to mind when I am away from my computer
• Sony Digital Recorder - I use this when driving or during my morning walk as things come to mind. A great tool to use if you are not able to write anything down.
• Chandler Project Software – This is a free desktop application software where all the stuff above eventually goes. Find out more about the software here: The Chandler Project

I cannot tell you how much this has simplified my life. When anything comes to mind I put it into my trusted system (whatever basket is closer) and then I religiously take a moment to put everything into Chandler. This has cleared my mind and allowed me to focus on “my stuff” when I want instead of it nagging me all day.

What do you use for your collection habit?