8 Tips for Time Management
By: Marcello De Lio
Tags: Productivity, Time Management, Productivity Tips, Tips, Tips And Tricks

Ever feel like there isn’t enough time in the day? Time management is something we all deal with, and when life gets hectic, it can become a struggle. Although I can’t promise that you will have it all figured out by the end of the article, I would like to share some tips to make more time in the day, get more stuff done, and find time to relax.

Tip #1: Pick a day of the week to plan

The first step is the easiest step to follow. The principle of weekly planning is to think of each week as a “chunk.” Friday is their best day to create a weekly plan for many people, but you can choose any most convenient day. The reason Fridays tend to work best is that it is at the end of the week, and by planning for the week to come, many find that they are less stressed during the weekend. It isn’t as important which day you choose, as long as you stick to planning each week on the same day. As with most things in life and business, consistency is key.

You can take this one step further by taking the time to review your previous week before planning for the week ahead. Take a look at what worked, what didn’t work, and why. By taking the time to review, you can be more effective in your planning and increase your productivity during the week

Tip #2: Determine your non-negotiables

Non-negotiables in the events you cannot change. While some tasks can be postponed or negotiated, some are non-negotiable. These vary from person to person, but determining your non-negotiables from the start is a great way to visualize how much time you have to schedule other events and tasks. Be sure to add your non-negotiables to your planner or to-do list!

Tip #3: Tackle the most challenging task first

Many of you will find that your bodies have the most energy at the beginning of the day, making it the perfect time to tackle that challenging task. Also, the longer you go without completing your most challenging task, it will linger on your mind and create unneeded stress. Individual circumstances may change, depending on work, distractions, and if you are a night owl. However, the principle remains. Finish your most challenging task first to have more time and less stress.

Tip #4: Use small bits of time wisely

It is common to surf the web or browse social media during the time between meetings or a moment of unexpected downtime. Although this is an everyday habit, finding productive ways during these small moments can free up time later at the end of the day or week. Use this time to send an email, read a book, or finish a small task on your to-do list.

Tip #4: Make a SHORT to-do list

Making a to-do list is easy. Following it is another story. One of the most common reasons people fail to follow their to-do lists is feeling overwhelmed at the size of their list. Instead of creating a never-ending list, focus on the five most important things you need to get done by the end of the week. And if you are still feeling overwhelmed, pick only a couple of items on the list and focus on the most important one or two items.

Tip #5: Have a bedtime

If you are like me, you have spent countless late nights in the name of productivity. Although you may feel productive, most of us are less efficient at night, and worse still, the late nights usually leave us tired the next day, leading to another day of low productivity. It is ok once and a while to take a late-night, letting the creativity flow. But sticking to a set bedtime is the best way to reach the recommended 7–9 hours of sleep every night.

Tip #6: Only focus on one task at a time.

Although multitasking may feel more productive, it often leads to scattered thoughts and not getting anything done. To check items on your to-do list, it is better to put all your focus into one thing at a time rather than splitting your thoughts and distracting your focus.

Tip #7: Break down the bigger task into smaller ones.

Sometimes, it freaks us out to even think about doing a big task. The best solution to it is to break it down into smaller tasks. By breaking a big job into five smaller tasks, the job as a whole will feel more accomplishable. And every time you complete one of the smaller tasks, you will have the feeling of accomplishment.

Tip #8: Taking breaks while working.

Taking breaks during your work is an excellent way to refresh and relax your mind. Doing work for an extended period can lead to burnout, frustration, and fatigue. Take a short break to relax your mind and regain your focus. Short breaks can also help you to be more creative as your subconscious works in the background. The subconscious is why some of our greatest breakthroughs happen when we are not currently focused on the immediate task. Our brain’s subconscious part is powerful, and taking short breaks is an excellent way to put it to use.

Conclusion.

Time is the most critical aspect of our life. We do not have the power to slow down the time, but we can properly manage it to get the most out of life. The above-described tips can help you build time management skills, taking your personal and professional life to the next level.