做好时间管理 告别拖拉懒散

So many people complain: 'I get 500 emails a day.' You know what? If you're getting 500 emails a day, you need to learn how to put filters on your computer. And turn off the email alert. It's one of the most terrible inventions for a procrastinator.

Imagine these emails are people interrupting you — how would you react?

You could also try downloading free applications that help your time management. For instance, if you use the internet browser Firefox, LeechBlock (visit addons.mozilla.org) stops distracting websites such as Facebook from loading during designated times (say, between 10am and 5pm).

Organise your leisure time

In the middle of the week, write a list to plan your weekend. A lot of people think it's boring to plot your weekend like that, but it's not. Some people have an amazing quality of life just because they've scheduled it.

How many times have you rung up a favourite restaurant to find out it's all booked up?

The truth is, all those tables have been reserved by non-procrastinaters who were organised.

You're always better off scheduling a few things — you'll get more out of life.

Avoid the time-spongers

If you know that someone is a time-sapper, stay out of their way. If you can't avoid them, devise ways so you don't get caught up talking to them.

If you need to get something done, you don't need John or Betty telling you that 'you'll never guess what happened to me last night'.

Instead of getting bogged down listening to them, say: 'I really appreciate you telling me this, but can you tell me in four hours after I've done this report?'

If you have that positive little script worked out in your head beforehand, you won’t seem rude.

Tap into your natural circadian rhythm

People certainly have times when they're most productive, known scientifically as circadian rhythms.

You could acknowledge 'I'm not a morning person', but you should never use that as an excuse. If you know you work better during a certain time in the day, schedule your most important tasks for that time.