Last month we discussed how you can elevate your efficiency through the use of four organizational techniques.

In this month's article, let's explore how to improve your efficiency as an employee or an entrepreneur by using time management techniques.

Here are four recommended time management techniques that can help you to improve your efficiency:

TIME MANAGEMENT TECHNIQUE #1:
Calendar the tasks you must complete will help you to visually see the important tasks of the day that must be accomplished. When you put your tasks on a calendar, you will find that the calendar helps you to keep your focus. In addition, when you put your tasks on a calendar, you will be able to better prioritize your tasks. A wall calendar is good. A Post-it note with the prioritized items written on it and stuck to specific dates on your calendar is better. Yet, an electronic calendar tends to be best because it allows you to record multiple tasks on the same day. An electronic calendar is also best because it will provide you with reminder alerts of when the tasks are due. The alerts can be set in advance to keep you on track or you can set the alerts to notify you on the day the tasks are due. No matter the type of calendar you use, when you calendar the tasks you plan to complete, you will find that you will increase your chances of getting more done within your day.

TIME MANAGEMENT TECHNIQUE #2:
Use a to-do list as a way to remember the most important tasks you plan to accomplish in your day. Think of the to-do list as a disposable snapshot of where you will be putting your time, energy and effort in your day. Create a brand new list every day with no more than the six most important tasks written on it. At the end of the day, toss the list, making sure to prep your new list with anything you did not get accomplished from the old list. Start your day with your new list since it will highlight for you the target tasks for the day. If you don't like the idea of creating a disposable list, use a notebook, legal pad or Microsoft Outlook to create a to-do list you can save and refer back to as a way to ensure you are accomplishing your tasks and being efficient.

TIME MANAGEMENT TECHNIQUE #3:
Add breaks to your day. This technique will help to keep you energized and revitalized. When you add breaks to your day, whether long (i.e. lunch) or short (i.e. errands), you will find that you will be able to think with more clarity. Not only that, your focus will be renewed, allowing you to better concentrate on the tasks at hand. In addition, when you add breaks to your day, the breaks will give you a chance to change your scenery, while shifting your energy, giving you more mental and physical power to complete the important tasks of your day.

TIME MANAGEMENT TECHNIQUE #4:
Set time limits for the tasks you do. This will help you to accomplish more with your time. By assigning an hour to some tasks, thirty minutes to other tasks and even 90-minutes to a few other tasks, these assigned blocks of time can help you to increase your efficiency. When you work in 15-minute intervals, you give yourself a chance to do quick tasks (i.e. make copies, return phone calls) along with challenging tasks (i.e. creating a presentation, updating financial records) while allowing for time to add breaks to your day.

As stated before, a mastery of organizational and time management skills will position you as an efficient employee or entrepreneur. The techniques found in this article coupled with the techniques found in previous articles will help you embrace, enhance and elevate your ability to be "productive without waste" which can help you to survive and thrive in this current employment environment, while making you a more valuable asset to your company and/or business.