Time management is not a seminar you attend or read in one book. It’s an everyday process that must be engaged to work effectively, which means the frustrated and disorganized people with bookshelves full of advise on time-management may actually have more problems than solutions because they’re constantly busy but unable get anything done due their lackadaisical approach towards managing themselves during office hours!
If this sounds like your life right now (or even if it doesn’t), then here are 10 tips for making sure all those helpful hints don’t go down as empty promises:
Write it down
Get a day planner and use it faithfully. If you don’t like day planners, get a simple notebook and use that instead. Whenever you think of something that needs to be done, write it down in your book. Include everything from daily tasks to long-term projects. Then, look at your book each day and decide what needs to be done.
Create a daily to-do-list throughout the day.
This is a great way to get yourself organized and make sure that you are taking care of everything that needs to be done. Simply sit down each night before bed and write out a list of things that need to be done the next day. Include things like appointments, errands, work tasks, etc. This will help to ensure that you don’t forget anything and that you are able to get everything done in a timely manner. I personally use Evernote but there are lots of apps and even simple notebooks that work just as well.
Start your day with your to-do-list
Starting your day with a to-do-list can help you stay organized and on track throughout the day. Having a list of tasks that need to be completed can help you prioritize your time and ensure that you are using your time efficiently. Checking items off of your to-do-list as you complete them can also help you feel a sense of accomplishment and keep you motivated to continue working.
Transfer items from today to tomorrow before dinner
Just before dinner take a look at your to-do-list and move unfinished items to a long term project or over to your list for tomorrow. Doing this task before dinner allows time for quality time with family or friends and reduced stress prior to bed.
Delegate as much as possible
Delegate as much as possible to free your time for more high impact tasks. You can delegate tasks to other people or services in order to free up your time for more important things. Delegating can help you get more done in less time, and can also help you reduce stress and feel more organized. When delegating tasks, it is important to be clear about what needs to be done and who is responsible for doing it. You should also provide any necessary instructions or information that the person or service will need to complete the task. Finally, it is important to follow up after the task has been completed to ensure that it was done correctly and on time.
Limit meetings to only those that are absolutely necessary
If a meeting is absolutely necessary, make sure it is as short as possible. This will help to keep everyone focused and on track. Try to limit meetings to no more than an hour if possible. If a longer meeting is absolutely necessary, break it up into smaller chunks with breaks in between so that people have time to stretch their legs and take a break from the discussion. Stick to an agenda and avoid distractions. This will help everyone to stay focused and make the most of the meeting time.
Avoid distractions to stay on task
Simple tricks like closing your door or putting on a set of headphones can convey a cue that you’re in work mode. Avoiding distractions while focusing on a task can be difficult, but it’s worth it to stay on task and be productive.
Turn off alerts and let voicemail answer the phone
While you are hyper focused on a task little things like this can make a big difference
Learn to say no
Learning to set boundaries and say no can have a huge impact on time management. It can be difficult to do, but it’s important to know your limits and stick to them. This can help you avoid taking on too much and getting overwhelmed.
Saying no doesn’t have to be difficult. Start by thinking about what you’re saying yes to. If it’s something that you don’t really want to do or don’t have time for, then it’s probably not worth your time.
There are a few ways to say no politely:
“I’m sorry, I can’t.”
“I don’t think I can commit to that.”
“Let me check my schedule and get back to you.”
Remember, it’s okay to say no. You don’t have to explain yourself