To manage your time effectively you must learn to manage yourself. You need to learn how to deal with the various tasks that need to be done both now and in the future. I find that almost all tasks can go into one of four categories and is what I suggest to my business coaching clients. Let me introduce you to the four Ds of self-management. They are:  Do it – For tasks that need doing now. If something can not wait schedule to complete it as soon as you can.  Delegate it – These tasks need to be done but are not the best use of your time. These tasks should be passed on to someone who is better suited for the job.  Dump it – Many things are simply not worth doing. If so, dump them.  Defer it – This category is for things that need doing, but now isn’t the best time to do them so you can put them off until later.