TOP 10 TIME MANAGEMENT TIPS

10 TIME MANAGEMENT TIPS

Do you often feel that there is never enough time in the day? Or have you begun to feel that you are falling behind or getting overwhelmed? Well, don’t fret.

You may have heard people say “time is money” – maybe it’s even your mantra. But time is very valuable than even that money.

Getting a handle on time can really boost your productivity. It can also go a long way towards putting your life in the balance, and open up opportunities for things that really fulfill you.

Moreover, time management can help you reduce stress that often stems from being disorganized, procrastination or an avalanche of distractions.

Managing your time well does not mean doing more – it means doing the right thing at the right time.

It should help you accomplish a lot by working less. In other cases, time management gadgets or software might help, but you don’t really need to use these to get a handle on your time.

What’s important is the commitment to establish good time management habits.

Here are the top 10 time management tips and strategies that can be very helpful to you:

10. Learn to say NO

The reason why you set priorities is because you cannot accomplish everything. Proper time management therefore involves deciding what to do and what to ignore.

Many a times, we obsess over how to fit every project or task into our schedule, when we would benefit by discarding the less important duties.

Saying NO means protecting your time from unnecessary interruptions.

For instance, if a friend wants to chat, and an inessential call comes in, or a bill lands on our desk, beg off politely, defer an action respectively or leave the voice mail answer. Delegation is also a great way to say.

You leverage your efforts by enlisting others when you delegate. Avoid hang up on the syndrome “I can do it better myself”.

9. Control your meetings

Any time that’s wasted in a meeting is always multiplied by those (number) involved in it. It is therefore essential that you make a meeting time very efficient.

Keep the number of people attending it to a minimum and do not attend one unless your presence is really needed. Inform those attending the purpose and agenda of the meeting.

Each item should have a time slot for discussion, and even if it’s not completed, it can be discussed later.

8. Find time management tools

Whether you have a day timer or a software program, the first thing to physically manage your time is to know where it is heading to now and planning how you are going to spend your time in the future.

Using a software program like Outlook for example, allows you to schedule and manage events much easily and can be set to remind you of the most important events early, making your time management easier.

7. Manage your distractions/interruptions

Interruptions cannot be avoided, but they can easily be managed. Try finding a working environment that’s comfortable and allows you to complete your tasks in good time.

While working or studying, be sure to log off social media sites such as Facebook and Twitter.

To make up for some other distractions, try to build a 15 minute cushion between your appointments in order to account for the lost time.

6. Take advantage and harness your energy

Learn to make the most of your energy by harnessing your natural rhythms.

Have you ever noticed that you are more energetic during the morning hours, or that you are most creative late at night?

Well, whenever possible, try to take advantage of these natural energy cycles.

If you have more energy in the morning for instance, then schedule the most crucial tasks like client meetings, long range planning or brainstorming.

This way, you will be able to complete the most important tasks in good time, saving yourself extra time for other activities.

5. Multitask Wisely

Multitasking implies that you focus on two things at once. Multitasking is not necessarily meant to increase your productivity.

Most experts in fact, think that the distractions and bursts of attention that are involved can lead to a mild form of attention deficit disorder.

With the cropping technology and innovations, you can ensure that trivial tasks do not drown the most crucial ones.

If you keep on checking your emails in an important meeting for instance, you might miss an important point while you are distracted. The best way you can multitask is to fill in dead time.

Answer your email in a doctor’s room, or while on a long commute, listen to recorded books or make important calls with headset.

4. Always set your priorities

Taking time to focus on your priorities is a big part of proper time management.

You first need to define what your priorities are: look at the big picture – what do you want to do with your life and career? Consider your values as well and the most important things in your life.

Secondly, think about what you can accomplish this day, this week, this month and even as far as a year to make progress towards achieving your goals.

In order to be more focused, write down your priorities and keep the list with you. Be selective as well – avoid making everything a priority.

3. Break down your tasks

Break up your larger tasks into manageable junks. Breaking these projects and other unpleasant tasks and projects into smaller action-items can come in handy as a stress reliever.

It is very easy to be overwhelmed when you have lots of commitments coming along. Take every task and divide it into components that you can manage easily.

Pick out those tasks you can finish today, and actually ensure that you complete them.

Remember to always add some extra time above what you think you need to accomplish a task and always reward yourself once you have a project to complete.

2. Make a Plan

The irony of managing time is that many of us just cannot find the time to manage time. Pressing duties and habits keeps us from setting our priorities, getting organized and breaking down tasks.

Therefore, all you need to is to simply plan ahead – for the future.

Ensure that you have a to-do list of things you want to accomplish and set your eyes on your goals.

Allocate specific time slots you plan for a particular task. You may want to include the facet of time management on the list as well, i.e. set aside one hour or so to organize yourself.

When you plan, you get to ease stress with very few things to juggle in your head and even get enough sleep.

Additionally, you will be able to hit the ground running with a proper plan in place. You will know what’s on hand to accomplish, and what task is next after that.

1. Get enough rest and sleep

This may sound counterintuitive, but taking some time out to rest, exercise or sleep will give you the energy you need to get through the day more productively and effectively.

Time management is itself, not an end; it can be productive yes, but it should also allow you to enjoy life with your family and friends, have more time for fun and stay healthy.

Therefore, when setting your priorities, do not limit them just to work or the so-called “important tasks”. Look all the things that give your life a meaning. Ensure that you devote some time to what is very important.