6 Time Management Tips to Live By
How productive are you? Do you feel like the time during your days is always slipping away from you? Are you always waiting until the very last minute to get things done? It sounds like you could use some help in the time management department of life. If you want to take back control of your life, it starts with taking back control of your time. Keep reading to learn 6 time management tips to live by.
Understanding Time Management
By definition, time management is “the practice of using the time that you have available in a useful and effective way, especially in your work.” As you can guess, many benefits come with better time management. For one, you get a better handle on your time which allows you to reach your goals much easier. Also, better time management results in:
Increased productivity
Better focus
Decreased stress
Fewer distractions
Improved energy levels
Better work-life balance
Why Time Management is Important
Time management is a life skill that I feel doesn’t get enough credit. Honestly, I don’t know why because becoming a master of your time can alleviate things like unnecessary stress or dropping the ball on the things that are important in your life. I don’t know about you but there’s nothing fun about constantly feeling like you’re two steps behind in life! Even further, effective time management skills can be your key to being successful.
6 Time Management Tips to Live By
Want to take back control of your life? Take back control of your time. Keep reading to learn 6 time management tips to live by.
Understand your peak productivity times
When are you most productive? Are you an early bird or a night owl? Take a moment to evaluate this and start to schedule your tasks during these times.
Set goals often
You know that we’re all about goals in this neck of the woods! Having goals can serve as a road map to what you decide to focus on for the day, week, and so on. Set goals as often as you like! I have daily goals, weekly goals, weekly, etc.! No, I may not always meet them, but it gives me something to work on and I know that I’m allowing myself to get that much closer to the bigger picture.
Plan out your days
Bring some structure to your day by taking time to plan it out ahead of time. I rarely start a workday on the fly. I like knowing what’s in store for the day ahead so that I can roll up my sleeves, execute, and get on with the rest of my life. Take a few minutes the night before to plan your day out and try to stick to it. I like to time block my schedule each day and I suggest you give it a try. Be as realistic as possible and don't forget to incorporate breaks!
Prioritize your tasks
Now that you know your peak work times and your goals for the day, prioritize your tasks by level of importance. Of the five goals you set for the day, what are your top 3?
Limit distractions
You’re probably struggling with managing your time because you’re constantly distracted. Do your best to limit those, especially during your peak productivity times. Place your phone on Do Not Disturb, set boundaries with your family and work colleagues as needed, and embrace using the word no.
Take advantage of idle time
Are you making the most of your time each day? What about your idle time? You know those periods throughout the day where you're not doing anything or maybe you’re doing something but it doesn’t require a lot of your attention (like riding the train to work). Maybe you can use this time to catch up on your emails, review that document for your boss, or draft up your social media captions for the week.
Remember your time is what you make of it, so let’s make the most out of it! Give these tips a try and let me know how they work for you!
