Time Management Tips
Everyone has their moments where they feel as though there
aren't enough hours in the day to complete everything that needs
to be done. If you're feeling overwhelmed by the tasks that are
facing you, there are many ways to help relieve that stress and
help yourself manage your time a little better.
First of all, clarify your goals and plan your strategy. Be very
clear about your ambitions, both short- and long-term goals.
Write them down. Once you know what you really want to achieve
and why you want to achieve it, it's easier to make decisions
about what needs to be done when, and you can plan accordingly.
You should focus on your top priorities. You'll be much more
productive if you identify and focus on the areas that are most
important. Work on the fundamentals first - if you take action
and build a strong foundation to each day, the rest should
follow smoothly.
Schedule your time! You should literally write out an
appointment in your dayplanner to set aside a realistic block of
time for your priority actions. Your anxiety will reduce
dramatically, because you will no longer be worried about not
having enough time and you will keep yourself much more focused.
Very important - Say no! Don't allow others to divert you from
your objectives and always check your schedule before committing
yourself to anything new.
Create supportive systems, such as an information management,
filing, and communication system. Will your current activity
have a positive outcome or are you doing it just to avoid
something else? Take a reality check. Ask yourself - "will doing
this take me towards my goal?
If you can delegate a project or activity, often it's tempting
to just do it yourself because you think you can do it faster
and better. But consider the long-term - delegating an activity
now will save you time in the future.
Balance your life! Just as you formally schedule work
activities, schedule personal activities too! You can make more
time for family, friends, fun, and your health. Having a
balanced life is said to reduce stress and increase energy
levels. Just goes to show that time management isn't just about
work management - it's about life management!
At the end of your day, prepare for tomorrow. Prioritize your
tasks and make notes about what needs to be done tomorrow.
You'll worry less that evening and in the morning, you'll be
prepared, focus, and ready to start your day.
Here's a final thought for you. Never say that you don't have
enough time to do things. You have exactly the same number of
hours in each day that were given to some of the biggest and
brightest individuals - from Einstein to Mother Theresa. If they
can accomplish great things, so can you!