As utility companies recently announced another rise in fuel prices I was pleased to reflect that I adopted several money-saving measures some time ago. These were not drastic acts that saw me writing by candlelight, just a few minor lifestyle changes that would cut down on my consumption. The changes were minor: I fitted low energy light bulbs, I only fill the kettle with as much water as is required, and I make sure that electrical appliances are not left on standby overnight. I might not see a huge difference in my quarterly fuel bills, but at least I know that I am doing what I can to keep my electricity charges as low as possible.

But whatever I do save on my fuel bills, it will come with no real effort from me because I have incorporated these cost-cutting measures into my daily routine. A similar approach could be taken with time management, where measures that save valuable minutes, or even seconds, are adopted as part of the daily routine to maximise efficiency with little effort. Here are some time saving techniques you could slot into your own daily routine to keep wasted time to a minimum.

When the telephone rings, do you feel compelled to answer it? If so then you are on your way to haemorrhaging minutes. It may only be a brief call of acknowledgement, but it might also be someone who will cause a lengthy distraction. Do you want to take that chance?

Take control of the phone and let your voicemail deal with any calls while you are working.

The email is one of the wonders of modern communications. We can send messages across hundreds of miles in less time than it takes to address an envelope and lick a stamp. Yet just because we can send messages instantly, this does not mean that they must be read and responded to immediately. The constant dipping into your inbox every time an incoming mail alert sounds will only waste time.

Take control of your inbox and set aside time each day for attending to your emails.

If you feel that a task is so huge it is overwhelming, try turning the telescope around and looking at the smaller picture. Breaking down a huge project into more manageable tasks will present a far less daunting view. The feeling of dread that comes from taking on too much can bring about a keen distaste for the job. This is a major cause of procrastination.

Take control of your to-do list and break down large tasks into smaller chunks.

Amidst the glut of technology in the modern office, there is still room for old fashioned hard copy. Documents should be filed as soon as they are not needed and in such a way that they can be easily retrieved. There are few bigger time wasters than looking for a typed A4 document among sheaves of other A4 typed documents. Keeping an organised, uncluttered desk is a great aid to effective time management.

Take control of your documents and file them properly.

It may seem contradictory but you can optimise your time management by taking time out to analyse and plan. This may involve an initial outlay of your time, but a well planned structure to your day will give a healthy return on your investment. Always be aware of which tasks are high priority and which are of little importance. Analysing how your time is spent will help you utilise that time more efficiently.

Take control of your time and plan it effectively.

The important factor in all of this is that these measures are adopted as part of your daily routine. This means that you are maximising efficiency with no effort from yourself.