Appointment books and planners

It's obvious, but it's also a frequently-overlooked answer to time management.

Warning signs

• You are struggling to remember what you should be doing right now.
• You have trouble keeping track of appointments.
• You don't finish tasks on schedule.

Recommendations

Spend five to ten minutes each morning planning out the day and looking at your appointments and deadlines for the next two weeks.

Check your appointment book/planner at the start of every half hour. This helps you remind yourself to stay on schedule.

Take action

Find an empty notebook right now before you forget, or buy a simple appointment book as soon as you can. It is on your mind right now, so take action before you forget.