To make the most of what have, you have to know what you're dealing with.

• Take a blank sheet of paper and list out all the tasks you have on right now.
• Split out the recurring, regular jobs from the one-offs.
• Include all the little tasks as well as your major planned activities.

Of course, some things are more important than others. The trouble is, less important items can sometimes barge in at the top of the list. Time to use our clever prioritisation template.

You'll see it has four categories:

1. Urgent and important (eg company-critical tasks, imminent deadlines) - DO NOW
2. Important but less urgent (eg planning, routine tasks) - PLAN TO DO
3. Urgent but not so important (eg quick favours) - DELAY
4. Not urgent. Not important. (Eg non-productive meetings.) - DITCH!

You now need to decide which of the tasks on your list fit into which categories on the prioritisation template. Are they A, B, C or D? You'll probably know straight away how they fit, but some questions to consider are:

1. Does the task help meet or further your objectives?
2. Will it make a positive difference to the company?
3. Are you the right person to be doing it?
4. Do you have the resources to achieve it?

Once you have allocated all your tasks to one of the four categories, you'll have a much clearer view of which should be done now, which can be delayed, and which should be discarded completely.

...you can't predict it. You can however, be ready for it. Charting out the major activities for the month ahead is easy with our handy monthly planner. Always keep some time aside from your schedule to allow for the unforeseen. Many people make the mistake of planning every minute of their day only to have the whole thing thrown out of whack for those sudden blind panics (the ones that turn up just as you've got your coat on and are halfway out the door).

» Get your monthly planner template «

As much as time management is about being productive and meeting company goals, never forget to allocate time for yourself as well. You are no good to anyone as a burnt out wreck. Regularly missing lunch? Put it on your schedule. Have other commitments? Make them an A1. It's all about balance. The trick is to use these tools to help get the balance right.