Business Success
7 Tips for Effective Time Management
How to get the most out of your day
If you are like most people, you probably feel like you just can’t possibly get everything accomplished each day. We get easily distracted by technology and social media, and unexpected surprises can disrupt your schedule.
There are some great ways to set yourself up for success with just a few simple steps. Want to become a master at managing your time, and get more done each day? Just follow these seven easy steps to organize your day and maximize your time.
1. Make a “time journal”
For one week, jot down your schedule as it actually happens (not like you wish it happened). We sometimes forget the little things that creep in a knock us off task. Keeping a time journal for a week will track your schedule and help you catch those little things that secretly steal your time away.
2. Create time limits for activities
Set some hard timelines for the activities that you are involved with, and for the tasks you need to accomplish. Set a reasonable amount of time to complete the activity and stick to it. Knowing that you have a time limit will help keep you from getting distracted.
3. Set up time buffers between work periods
Work in time between meetings and activities to decompress and do all those little things that might ordinarily distract you while you are working, like checking social media. Having scheduled down time helps your mind rest and reset and gets you ready to engage again when it is time to get to work.
4. Use an online calendar or scheduler
This keeps your schedule handy at your fingertips and is accessible from your computer or mobile device. Keeping your schedule online allows you to see at a quick glance what is coming up next. You can also set alerts to keep you on time for both your work periods and rest periods.
5. Plan ahead
Setting out an outfit the night before and packing a lunch or snack ahead of time can save valuable time in the mornings. Also, take some time at the end of your day to set your schedule for tomorrow. Plan out your 3 or 4 main priorities for the day and schedule them into your calendar. That way you can get up and moving without stopping to plan out the main objectives for your day.
6. Tackle the most important tasks first thing in the morning
Not only does accomplishing the hard stuff first give you a great sense of accomplishment, but most people are more energized and are mentally sharper in the morning. If you are someone that needs that first cup of coffee to really get moving, try scheduling on short less engaging task while you get up to speed, then make the next things you accomplish the most important of the day.
7. Single task
Eliminate all distractions while you are working on a project. This means closing and quitting your email client and turning off your phone or placing it in “Do not disturb”. Concentrate only on the task at hand. Schedule a block of time to return emails do only that, then if you need to return or make phone calls schedule a time and do only that. Attempting to multi-task only ends up in a lower quality work product and takes longer for us to accomplish everything.
By making just these simple and powerful adjustments to your daily routine, you will soon see that you are more productive and have more free time. Sometimes we need to slow down just a little in order to get everything done more efficiently.
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