8 Time Management Tips

 At the end of the day, it’s all about time management. When it comes to time management, we don’t want to admit we don’t have it all together. It’s one of the hardest issues to face and can be a challenge. However, the good news is it’s very doable. 

What’s the hardest task? Do that one first. For some people, filing is the worst administrative task there is and for others, it’s filling out paperwork and making phone calls. Whatever you identify, as being your hardest task, is the one you should do first.  

You will find this practice to be difficult at first; however, as time goes by you will be grateful you stuck with it. If you do nothing else in time management, this is the best tip you can follow. These tasks will become easier and quicker the more you practice. 

Tip #1 – Write It Down 

Writing things down is very important. “Forgetting” tends to waste a huge amount of time and effort. When you write things down, the mind/body activity helps you to remember the task. Plus, you also have a built-in reminder you can refer to when or if you forget the details or specifics. Seeing things on paper also helps you to prioritize.

Tip #2 – Prioritize Tasks

In order to prioritize tasks and events, you must know what must be done, what needs to be done, what you want to do, what is important to you, where your priorities are, and what’s falling by the wayside.

Put things in order of what should be done first. Putting things down on paper is the key to getting your life prioritized. Don’t simply make a to-do list. Write everything down in order of importance and priority. If you have to, you can number the items. This will drive home the point of how important one item is over another. Continue to write down what needs to be done. 

Tip #3 – Defer Tasks

Don’t be afraid to carry things over to the next day. If you were unable to complete a task, don’t be afraid to carry it over to the next day’s to-do list. Don’t view it as a failure. View it as a fact and keep on moving. Moving forward is what’s important at all times no matter the day’s successes or failures previously. 

What’s the worst thing that could happen if you don’t get to do everything? Can it wait? Will everyone survive? These questions may seem as though you are making excuses, but you are learning to prioritize. Once you learn how to prioritize, you will be in flow with what’s important to you and your life.

Tip #4 – Avoiding Procrastination

The most highly successful people don’t have to deal with procrastination often. It’s not even in the cards for them. However, for the rest of us, it’s a reality. Here are a few tips to deal with procrastination when it strikes:

• Allow a few minutes for guilty pleasures but put a timer on it
• Set a schedule for checking social media
• Work on a computer that does not allow (blocks) social media and email
• Time yourself when checking emails or answering them

Tip #5 – Balance Work and Play

If you’re all work and no play, you are sure to be successful; however, the down side to this is burn out. If you do anything for too long, burn out will surely follow. Here are a few tips to keep the scales balanced:

• Choose your time to work and stick to it.
• Decide, how much if at all, time you will spend on work after hours (for example reading emails at the dinner table, taking calls during family time, etc.)
• Leave work at work.
• Prioritize your work schedule and your home life will run more smoothly as well.
• Learn how to delegate.
• Learn how to say no.

Just like children, we need to schedule free time or play time. We need to be intentional about our time but to understand that while it’s over, it’s time to let it go. Playing for too long can lead to procrastination and loss of structure. 

Take 5-minute play breaks; walk in fresh air, hydrate yourself, do some deep breathing or write in a journal. All of these help to energize your spirit. 

Tip #6 – Use Technology

There are absolutely no excuses for not being organized and achieving goals. Gadgets and technology can help you stay on track and help you meet your goals. There are calorie counters and even counters that track your steps. Take advantage of technology.

Tip #7 – Declutter

If you feel as though your life is chaos, look at your environment. You are only as productive as your environment you are in. Take a weekend and throw everything out or donate it. If you haven’t used it in six months and it’s not season, then it’s time to let it go. 

Tip #8 – Organize

When it comes to organizational skills, you are in luck because you can create a new habit at any given time. You can learn new organizational skills that work for you. If your environment is a hot mess, then chances are more than likely so is your life.

Use these tips to get yourself in gear:

• Put yourself on the calendar.
• Don’t sweat the small stuff.
• Let go of what you can’t control.
• Expand on the positive and minimize the negative so you can enjoy life more.
• Start new habits. It takes only a couple of weeks to create new habits and once they are in place, they will stick.
• If you backslide, it’s okay. Let yourself off the hook and start again. Pick up where you left off.
• Don’t look at major projects like a mountain. Climb one step at a time. Before you know it, you’ll reach your objective.
• Laugh at your mistakes.
• Don’t beat yourself up so much.
• Make time to meet your needs. Take a catnap, go for a walk, get some fresh air, write in your journal, or chat with a friend.
• Make time management a priority.
• Divide your day into manageable blocks of time.
• Fine-tune your scheduling to meet your responsibilities to others, as well as yourself. 
• Work on your dependability and accountability. Do what you say you are going to do when you say you are going to do it.
• Encourage and reward yourself. Use the reward system. For little goals incorporate small rewards. When you meet larger goals, treat yourself to something very special.

There are many challenges we all have to face, when it comes to time management, achieving our goals, fulfilling our dreams, and living a life we love. However, once we step out of blaming our childhood, life, other people, we can clearly see we have the power to create a life we truly love.

We are given every tool and habit we choose to implement and by taking responsibility and looking deep within ourselves and our lives we see how we can step up our game and show up to shine brighter than ever.

Read some more tips on time management and goal setting here and make sure you are leveraging the Success Wizard App to help with your time management.