There are two main approaches to time management these days. The first, exemplified by Steven Covey, is oriented towards managing time by clarifying roles and values and priorities, and using that clarity to make proactive decisions about what to do first.

The second, championed by David Allen and used in his Getting Things Done method, involves starting with capturing everything down to small details in one system, and ensuring that proper workflow keeps everything in your system. Allen believes that most of us can't begin to effectively focus on values until we take control of all the details that are getting lost and clamoring for attention. Once we have a trusted system in place and can always see the reminders of work to be done when we need them, Allen claims that we will intuitively know what we need to work on at any given time. (Books by both authors can be found on my resources page if you'd like to learn more.)

I think that these two approaches are equally valid and fall on opposite ends of a spectrum. Everyone will be comfortable working differently. Some people can use either Covey's or Allen's system more or less as-is and be very successful at it. Many people, like me, will be happiest using elements of both approaches to manage their time and projects. Some people need only a few very simple tools to keep things together and moving forward.

Where do you fall on this spectrum? Do you organize your time from more of a top-down or bottom-up perspective? How is that working for you? I'd love to hear about your experiences in the comments.