If you can master this one time management tip, then all the others become trivial.
Ready to hear it already? The ultimate time management tips is:
Cut off activities at the point of diminishing returns.
Break down the productivity of any activity and you’ll find a similar distribution. The beginning brings in the big results until the peak is reached, followed by a sharp decline. The trick is cutting off each activity right after the peak and switching to something new, where high levels of efficiency are possible.
To apply the law of diminishing returns, you need to determine the point when returns start to decline.
To find the “sweet spot” you’ll need to pay careful attention to your own work habits. How long can you stay productive? What activities do you like to drag out? Where can you salvage time?
The best way to improve is to impose time limits on yourself, then record and schedule them.
clipped from: www.pickthebrain.com