Welcome back to Time Management! I've discussed in a previous column the three essentials of good time management: do it, delegate it, or dump it.

I've also discussed tips on effective time management: preparing a to-do list, divide a difficult task into smaller segments, spend time on revenue producing tasks, set completion dates, and don't let non-productive items take up your time.

When you prepare a To-Do list, when you divide a difficult task into smaller segments, when you do anything that comes under the heading of Time Management, you should develop a priority system. Each agent's priorities are different, and the priorities can change from day to day. Establish a rating system for each task, and your priorities should become clear. Here are a few tips on establishing a rating system:

1. URGENT TASKS - MUST be completed, and quickly. If not finished, serious consequences could occur.
2. IMPORTANT, BUT NOT URGENT TASKS - These tasks MUST also be completed, but you may have a little more time to complete them. Cannot be put at the bottom of the pile without causing stress.
3. DAILY TASKS - These tasks SHOULD be done on a daily basis, but if they don't get done, no serious consequences or crisis will occur.
4. NO VALUE TASKS - Non-productive, time fillers. These tasks could easily be eliminated.

Now I know that some of you are very organized and efficient, while others will be stressed out while thinking about a To-Do list. And adopting a rating system would be the very last thing one of you might do. So try some of these fun tips for a different kind of rating system for organizing your tasks and time:

1. Put Green dots on every paper or file you MUST deal with; put Red dots on things you SHOULD do.
2. Buy "hot color" file folders-Hot pink for MUST, Hot orange for SHOULD.
3. Put "smiley stickers" on MUST DO papers; "frown stickers" on SHOULD DO papers.
4. And if all else fails, establish two piles on your desk. You guessed it: MUST DO pile and SHOULD DO file. Eventually you'll get tired of looking at the piles and they'll get handled.

Have fun, get organized, plan your time, rate your priorities, and do lots of business!

See you next week!

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