Have you ever wondered how some people seem to have time for their loved ones and time for work, whereas other people have so much on their plates and seem like they can't finish anything?
Well, all of us have things to do and tasks to complete. It's just a matter of effective time management; a balance of work and after-work life.
Time management is known to be one of the most rewarding skills a person could ever have. It's the ability to use time efficiently and productively; enabling people to get more work done on time. Managing time well leads to good stress management, as it lessens your stress. The lesser work, the lesser stress.
Here are some tips to work smart, not hard; efficient time management tips:
Tip #1 - Start your day right
We all have 24 hours a day which means we have to wake up early to have a longer day. Waking up early increases your time frame with the course of time; you can exercise, take a walk or maybe get a toast with a hot brewed coffee. Doing these activities would increase productivity and time management will never get in your way.
Tip #2 - Set SMART Goals
One of the most effective ways to manage your time productively is to set goals, S.M.A.R.T goals.
S- Specific
M- Measurable
A- Achievable
R- Realistic
T- Time-Bound
These goals would help you in managing your time well and prepare you for what you'll be doing for a day.
Tip #3 - Prioritize Things and Track Time
In this modern world, the use of software and applications in creating a plan and tracking time is already a thing. Just for instance, if you're working on a project, you can set a time for each task to be accomplished. A goal is just a wish if you don't start working on it. Make sure to plan your goals and tasks for the whole week. Furthermore, monitoring and prioritizing the Most Important Tasks (MIT) would also help you efficiently manage your time.
"All time management begins with planning." – Tom Greening
Tip #4 - Know Your Zone
Have you ever felt or noticed that you have a specific time wherein you're so full of energy and you're as focused as an eagle? People often term it "zone" which means that you have a certain time in a day when you are so focused on your goals and want to finish them immediately.
If you discover your zone, it would help you reach your optimal state of consciousness when you feel and perform your best.
Tip #5 - Block Distractions
We have so many distractions in our lives, may it be our social media accounts, mobile games, our friends, and other stuff that keeps us from focusing on our goals. Just browsing your social media accounts, you just wasted so much time leading to procrastination.
For you to be focused on what should be accomplished, try putting your phone into "do not disturb" mode or silent mode. This would help you a lot in saving so much of your time and take your efficiency levels at a notch higher.
Tip #6 - Avoid Multitasking
One task at a time; as much as possible do away with multitasking and focus on what should be prioritized. Studies suggest that only 2% of people can effectively multitask and 98% end up wasting their time and reducing overall productivity.
Allocate time to doing tasks and completing them in order to attain a hundred percent of successful completion.
Tip #7 - Take in between breaks
Experts say that taking breaks and resting in between work is one of the most effective time management strategies. Have you tried working for 8 hours straight without breaks? How about working for a whole day and taking coffee breaks in between? Which do you think is better?
"Smart time management isn’t always about doing something or the other. It also emphasizes the fact that little breaks after an hour or so can take your productivity to another level."
Tip #8 - Keep Yourself Motivated
Motivating yourself is harder than you thought. Pushing yourself to get up from your bed is too much. However, efficient time management can't be achieved if you yourself is unmotivated. Hence, find inspiration; may it be from songs, books, movies, your loved ones, or can be from other people.
In my case, I listen to motivational speeches from podcasts and TEDTalks. I also exercise and listen to music whenever I feel lost and unmotivated. Keeping a journal would also help.
Tip #9 - Be Positive
Sometimes our environment affects us greatly may it be personally or in terms of our work efficiency. Doing things you love would give you the optimistic vibe you need. In addition, surrounding yourself with positive people is also a factor. Avoid toxic environment and spread positivity to increase efficiency and productivity.
Tip #10 - No To Procrastination
Procrastination is doing nothing at all or engaging yourself with useless things. It's like putting important tasks for later and panics when it's already too late.
Never allow procrastination to take over your life and make it part of your habit and lifestyle. Do not stress yourself and divide tasks accordingly for it not to pile up. Accomplish what you can and finish the others the next day.
"Procrastination is the foundation of all disasters." – Pandora Poikilos
Working hard is good, but working smart is better
Time management can sometimes be exhausting, but with proper guidance and motivation, you'll manage it somehow. Always remember to be gentle to yourself at all times. Prioritize yourself and never forget to put yourself first, because in the end, it's not about better time management, it's about better self-management.
The top 10 Time Management Tips mentioned above are just some of the ways to manage your time well. You can leave a comment below and share your Time Management tips. Together, let's help each other by spreading information.
"The key to time management is to see the value of every moment " – Menachem Mendel Schneerson
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