The pressures of work, personal issues and family life can equal a life that feels hectic. You feel like you have no control over time management. But it doesn’t have to seem impossible. With these tips, managing your time can be a cinch!
Consider a timer. If you’re having trouble with focusing on things, you should get a timer and then set it for how long the tasks will take you. For instance, if you have an hour to work on a task, set the timer to let you know when 15 minutes have passed. Then take a brief break, reset the timer and continue this routine until the hour has elapsed.
Work at least 24 hours in advance. If at all possible, take the time to lay out your agenda for the next day before it starts. Making a to-do list is a great way to finish out a day of work. You can get right down to work when you know what is coming.
Calendars can be great time management tools. Many people like to write on a physical calendar. Some people like electronic calendars on phones and computers for their flexibility. Whatever you choose to work with, if you use a calendar, you can do your tasks in a more effective way.
Begin your day going over the items on your schedule, and filling in the blanks. When you know what faces you in the morning, you’ll be more likely to do it all. Make sure you aren’t overbooked that day.
If time management is hard for you, focus on each task separately. Most people do not work well when they multi-task. Trying to do too much makes you crazy and exasperated, and quality is sure to suffer. Keep calm and breathe so that you can focus on one task and a time.
Whenever you are having trouble managing your time, think about how you are using your time. Time should be used wisely and deliberately. Do not look at emails outside of a few designated times each day. When you check your messages all the time, you can lose focus on the other tasks at hand.
If you need to work at maximum efficiency, make sure to close the door to your office. By leaving your door open, people will assume you are all right with being interrupted with questions or idle banter. Close your door to have instant privacy. People know that you are looking for quiet, so you’ll be able to complete things on time.
Let the phone ring, and don’t answer texts while you’re trying to finish a task. It can be difficult for you to start getting back to your task if you get interrupted. When your project is complete, take some time to answer any messages you have.
As this article has shown you, although you may have a busy life, managing your time is indeed possible. Using this advice and staying positive will have you controlling your time in no time. Use what you learned.