Time management is one of the most common weakness of people. This is why there are a lot of books, videos, and even seminars that will guide you in mastering time management. At some point in your life, you’ve probably heard and even tried these to help you organize and manage your time efficiently. Chances are you’ve also used planners to schedule your entire day. After all these planning, you find yourself lacking the time to get all things done! The answer to that is simple. The things you do to manage your time do not work. It is important for us to know that we move in real time, where all things move and can affect us physically, mentally, and emotionally. This doesn’t mean that we cannot control what happens in our own time. Real time can be manageable! Try practicing these time management habits for a more productive and efficient you!
Plan and Make a Schedule
Determine the things that are needed to be done. And by “things”, those are the ones with high importance. Assign time to accomplish these. Schedule when they will begin and when they will end. Make sure you consider time for breaks and possible interruptions when you plan and make a schedule for these.
Begin Your Mornings with a Plan
Before you begin with your regular routine and do the things that needed to be accomplished, it is best to organize and start with a plan. If you have a couple of tasks that are needed to be finished for the day or for the week, prioritize what is important. Don’t over-plan. Create a plan in such a way that you can do your tasks effectively.
Assign Time for Leisure
Don’t get yourself overworked! Avoid burnouts by assigning time for your other activities whether it be time for yourself, for your family, or for browsing through social media. If you have the time to work, take the time to rest too. By doing this, you can recover from the daily grind and prevent stress and exhaustion. It is better to take breaks rather than work for straight hours and end up working inefficiently.
Be Result Oriented
For each task that you do, determine the result that you want to achieve. This will help you know the action plans you should be doing and eliminate the irrelevant ones to avoid wasting time. Don’t forget to take at least 5 minutes after each task to think about whether the desired result is attained.
Block Out Possible Distractions
If there are tasks that are needed to be done completely, block out all possible distractions. Put up a “do not disturb” sign on your door. Also, phone calls and emails can wait. Just because it’s ringing or a message has shown up, doesn’t mean you have to respond right away (unless you’re waiting for an emergency call, of course). In addition, close down all forms of social media that can distract you while working (unless you use these for work). Prioritize the task at hand!
