Get a better grasp on your self improvement plans with better time management tips. Customize any of these to suit your needs and adjust accordingly.

1) Write ou good scripts for your voicemail and record them, using automation for your benefit. For example, tell people what a good time range is for making calls to you directly, tell businesses that you are on the Do Not Call list and to move you from their lists, leave your URL for website visitors, etc. It's like having your own secretary.

2) Get another automated helps in the form of your computer. Take classes and get books about your type of computer and learn all you can about its features. The more you can learn about your computer, the more you can put it to work for you: making web pages, setting up automated tasks like cleaning up its systems and compacting files, using software on it for safety tools and much more.

3) Get and use a good planner and planning system. Franklin Covey products are excellent for this. Based upon a daily notebook used by Benjamin Franklin, Franklin Covey products are popular worldwide in all walks of life, with products available in all budget ranges with compatible software for computers and handhelds.

4) Learn to set up folders efficiently and effectively on your computer, with your email and offline - all coordinating with each other as needed. That way you can quickly grab someone's folder if he or she calls in, no matter if you are online or off.

5) Time your use of the Internet and email. Stop checking email constantly and fix the settings so that email doesn't float into your In Box every five minutes - or instantly. Only check it once in the morning and once in the afternoon. And likewise with Internet access, only log on once in the morning and once in the afternoon to get all of your work done in huge chunks. In between, get out into the real world, work in some fitness routines, visit local clients and prospects and enjoy life. You don't need another addiction.

6) Stop trying to 'multitask' all the time. Put all your energy and best effort into one thing at a time until it's finished.

And find more effective use of your time and efforts with helpful articles online, videos, books and other tools from the library. Go get em!