Time Management

Jean Chatzky
Time is money, so they say. In the midst of the holiday season, we all have too much going on. Between trying to wrap up our end-of-year tax duties, shopping for holiday gifts and entertaining guests, this seems to be the most stressful time of the year. Jean talks to organization and time management expert Julie Morgenstern about the best way to clear the decks between now and New Year's Day.

Make it through the season with grace with Julie's suggestions:
  • Make a to-do list. It will be daunting, but you need to get it on paper.
  • Add up your to-do list. Put a realistic time estimate for how long it will take you to accomplish each task on the list.
  • Consider deleting, delaying, diminishing or delegating. After seeing everything on the list, it will be easier to wade through and select things that you can put off, trim down or get rid of all together. One idea would be sending New Year's cards instead of holiday cards.
  • Think of what makes the holidays truly meaningful for you, and then pick the top three to focus on. Guilt tends to disappear when you focus on what's most important.
  • Use the holidays as an excuse to do a big household cleaning and get rid of a lot of junk. Go room by room to de-clutter and get rid of excess. Use the "do you use it or do you love it" test. If you can answer "yes" to either question, Julie gives you a pass to hold on to it.
  • Stop checking your e-mail for the first hour of the day. When you walk into work, spend that hour on your most critical and thoughtful task. This starts your day off with you in control of the technology, instead of the other way around.
Related Resources
  • Julie Morgenstern is the author of Never Check Email in the Morning


The information provided here is general advice and you should always consult your own financial adviser before making major financial decisions, including investments or changes to your portfolio. The opinions expressed by the hosts, guests and callers to Oprah Radio are strictly their own.