5 Tips for Effective Time Management
Time is one of our most valuable resources. It is one of the few resources we can’t earn back, and most of us feel like we don’t have enough of it. You may not be able to create more time, but you can organize your time effectively, so that you aren’t quite so stressed about the hours slipping away. Below, I’ve shared 5 tips for effective time management. They will help you be more productive and relaxed in your daily routine. Keep reading to learn how they can help!
1. Use Calendars & Time Blocking
Time blocking is the first step towards effective time management. While it does require you to invest some time upfront to plan for the week ahead, you will be so glad you did. Your week will be less stressful and operate much more smoothly with a little bit of planning!
One advantage of living in our fast-paced, high-tech world is that you have plenty of physical and digital options when it comes to time management tools. Consider investing in a durable planner that you can carry with you wherever you go, or go paperless with a calendar application on your smartphone. If you have a family, create a shared calendar that lives online or in a common area of your home, such as the kitchen.
Get into the habit of blocking out chunks of time for events and activities as you commit to them, instead of waiting to do it at the end of the day or week. You can color code the calendar for each member of the family to make it easier to read. Digital calendars usually allow you to set reminders for yourself, too. These features will help you stay organized and focused, so that you don’t have to keep track of it all in your head.
But even if you keep your calendar updated, you should still set aside a designated weekly time to review it. I recommend choosing a time at the beginning of the week, like Sunday night. You can use this time to create a to-do list and fill the gaps in your schedule with items from that list. Spending just a few minutes to get your schedule in order will make you feel more prepared for the week ahead. It will also help you ensure that you are making consistent progress towards your chores and goals.
2. Understand Your Priorities
Before you jump in and time block every second of your day, take a minute to clearly identify your priorities. Make a list of the items you need to accomplish, and then organize them in order of importance. Add the items at the top of your list to your schedule first. It is best to plan to do them as close to the beginning of the week as possible, so that you can make sure they get completed on time. Then, continue down the list and fill some of the remaining time in your schedule.
Don’t forget to include down time in your schedule, too! It might be difficult at first to make time for relaxation, but it is also unrealistic to believe that you will be productive every second of every day. Free time is valuable, too. It is necessary to have time to recharge, so that you can be your best self on a busy day.
3. Set a Timer
Time blocking and understanding your priorities are essential to planning a weekly schedule, but they are only effective for time management if you also make an effort to execute them properly. While unavoidable and unexpected setbacks are bound to come up, there are ways to be proactive about maintaining your schedule.
When you begin a task, set a timer for the amount of time that you blocked on your calendar. Keep an eye on the clock while you are working, and start wrapping up your task ten minutes before time is up. Stop working when the timer goes off and move on to the next task. It sounds simple enough, but this small action can make a huge difference over the course of time. By making a conscious effort to stay on schedule, you can avoid some of the stress of having to rush through everything else on your list because you got sidetracked on a task.
If you need a more visible timer to help you work, try the Time Timer. It comes in various sizes, but the concept is the same: you see the time and you are able to stay focused on the task at hand. You can learn more about the Time Timer here.
4. Don’t Multitask
When you’re working on a task, be sure it is the only task you are doing! Multitasking might sound like a more efficient way to use your time, but it can actually lower your productivity. Most tasks require a certain level of concentration. When you are thinking about several different things at once, it becomes difficult to devote your full attention to any one task. Not only will it take you longer to complete a task, but it can also result in more errors. This blog offers more insight on how to maximize your productivity.
5. Keep Your Space Organized
Remember the unexpected setbacks I mentioned earlier? It’s true that some are unavoidable, but others can be averted with well-developed organization systems and habits. Let’s say you sit down at your desk to do paperwork for your business. You reach for the stapler, but it’s not where it should be. Your desk is an absolute mess, so you spend 20 minutes looking for the stapler before you finally find it in another room of your house. Now you are 20 minutes behind on your paperwork.
You can spare yourself hours of hunting for lost items when you take a little time initially to organize your space. Make sure everything has a place to live, and put things back where they belong when you are done using them. You’ll know just where to find them next time you need them, making it easier to concentrate and complete tasks on time.
Like any other skill, effective time management takes a bit of practice. However, if you try these tips and you still feel like you simply can’t get everything done, consider enlisting professional help for your own peace of mind. I can support any of your organization needs, whether it’s getting your home office in order, packing for a move, or implementing long-term solutions for organization strategies for your business. Reach out today to schedule a consultation with Transformare Organizing!