Time management is such an important skill!  The article published by University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension entitled “Thirteen Timely Tips for More Effective Time Management” proved to be very beneficial as well as the Time Management Quiz.  They highlight the importance of prioritizing, goal setting and eliminating distractions.

I found five time managements tools that can help us achieve our goals.

StayFocusd – This is a Google Chrome extension that blocks you from going to time-wasting sites.   It works like a timer, and asks you to set the maximum time you want to waste on your customized time-killer sites before they’re blocked.  This tool would be perfect for parents to use with students who go to school online.  It would help them to keep their kids on track and not chatting on twitter or posting photos on Instagram.  This tool would be useful both personally and professionally.

Remember The Milk – If you’re an iPhone 4S user, you’ll find this cool app is compatible with Siri. Just ask Siri to “remind you to…” and the new task will be added to your Remember The Milk list. This simple virtual to-do list is also compatible with Outlook, Gmail, Google Calendar, BlackBerry, and Android.  This would be more beneficial in your personal world as you might forget things that you need to do when you are focused on work.

RescueTime – This tool runs with your Windows or Mac to watch and record how long you spend on each application or activity as you go. It also generates an analysis of how you’re using your time to help you plan more effectively for the next week.  This tool would be another great tool for parents to use with their kids to track them and help them to use their time more wisely.  Adults who work on the computer all day long would also find this tool helpful.  This tool would be useful both personally and professionally.

Time Manager – an application that is made to help you to control your time.  Using the History of Actions you’ll be able to figure out the things you spend more time on. It helps you to make tasks to the nearest future and control your achievements.  This application is very useful in helping students to breakdown their day and keeping them on task. This tool would be useful both personally and professionally.

Goal Tracker – an app that helps you achieve success by tracking goals in your life. You use this app to set goals for the upcoming week, month or even a longer period, in areas like family, personal growth, financial budget, health, socializing, hobbies and career etc.  This app can be helpful in helping students as well as adults identify their goals and break it down into smaller chunks.  This tool would be useful both personally and professionally.

I decided to add a bonus app because who doesn’t like bonuses!  I recently found Asana which is a project management app.  It helps to break down assignments from large to small and to work with a team to accomplish it.  I love it for the professional world because everyone is clear about which task is assigned to who.  For example, if teachers are working together to create a project or students working together on a project.  It is also useful personally as you can break long term goals into smaller ones.