3. Make a Commitment
If you want to fulfill a self-study goal, you
need to start with a firm commitment.
Put your goal in writing, and become
accountable to your boss, a colleague
or a close friend. Without a firm
commitment, it is unlikely you will ever
find the time.
5. Use a Calendar
Despite best intentions, if
you don’t schedule it, it won’t
get done. Use a calendar to
establish a timeline with interim
deadlines that facilitate program
completion. You will be more
likely to stay on task and have a
visual reminder of your goal.
“A goal is a dream with a deadline” – Napoleon Hill
7. Prioritize Tasks
Create and use a daily to-do list that
prioritizes tasks with an A, B, C label
and assigns a time-for-completion to
each task. Likely your list is already
overflowing, so consider reallocating one
or more tasks to smaller time allotments
over several days to make time for your
self-study program.
9. Make Sacrifices
Time is limited to 24 hours a day. If
you want to make time to study, you
will have to give up something, or a
number of little things, in exchange.
Keep a time journal over the course of
several days and review it to determine
what you are willing to sacrifice to gain
some study time.
11. Learn to say NO
You cannot do it all; so, learn to “say no”
to requests that are not a priority to you.
Be polite, be assertive, and don’t attempt
to provide an explanation. Otherwise,
you will likely end up saying “yes”.
13. Block out Distractions
Cell phones, TV, email--these are all
distractions that eat up minutes, even
hours of your day. If you want to find
“free time”, minimize distractions by
turning off electronics for a few hours
each day.
15. Maintain Focus
Efficient use of time results
when you put your energy
toward completing one task at
a time. If you commit a specific
time and place to studying,
without the distraction of
friends, family or electronics,
you will be able to achieve your
self-study goal in no time.
17. Make time for Yourself
You need to eat, sleep, and exercise to
keep yourself healthy. If you ignore these
things, you will be physically unable
to meet your goals. Similarly, a self-
study program contributes toward your
professional health. If you fail to make
time for it, your career goals may suffer.
