We are all busy. It seems like there is just never enough time in the day to get it all done right? We all have the same 24 hours in a day. What matters is how we spend that time.
Here are 7 tips to better time management so you can enjoy your days more:
1.) Get rid of the time vampires – We all have these time vampires in our life. The people that constantly need us for something (that they really don’t need us for), the meetings that really don’t need to be held because a quick memo would have done the trick…all those little time sucks that take our eye off the ball so to speak and have us going in a million directions at once and really not doing well at anything we are attempting. The way to get rid of these time vampires is to put up a do not disturb sign on your door and send out a memo that if someone needs you and that sign is up they need to come back later unless it is a dire emergency. When you are asked to attend a meeting respond with an email asking the details of the meeting and if it is really necessary that you be there because you are currently working on x project and need to finish uninterrupted. You will be amazed as you start to set boundaries that people that were taking advantage of you will now start realizing they need to figure out an alternative to always relying on you. You will get more done and they will get more self resilient.
2.) Block out your day – Think about what is on your plate and what your priorities are. Then block out time chunks on your calendar with what you are going to do during that time. Set a timer, put your phone on airplane mode, close your email, and just focus on that project until the timer goes off. Then take a break. Get up, move around, check messages if you would like and do the same thing in a new frame of mind for the next project.
3.) Preplan your day – Sitting down each evening and putting together a list of what you need to do in priority order the next day is imperative. This will give you a way to know what needs to be done, how much time you need for each thing so you can block out the time as in step 2 and you will get it all out of your head so you can relax. Multitasking has become such a phenomenon lately but the truth of the matter is, if you are jumping from thing to thing it will actually take you longer to finish anything and your focus will not be in the right zone as it takes longer to get back in the right head space.
4.) Delegate – You don’t have to do it all yourself. Do what you are good at. What you love doing. Delegate the other tasks to other people that are a fit for them. You will be happy, they will be happy and your time will open up.
5.) Uninterrupted times – You want to make sure that there are times in your day that are uninterrupted for work but also for you. Give yourself some headspace. Lock your door, turn off your phone, and spend 10 minutes deep breathing or meditating. Get your body out of fight or flight and into relaxation mode. This will improve your health both physically and mentally and will make you more alert for your next project. It is also a way to shift from one project to the next and be in a clear frame of mind.
6.) Fit fun into your schedule – It is important that your life not all be work. If you are incorporating fun times into your day you will actually be more productive at work. Decide what is fun for you and put something into each day. Maybe it is dancing around your living room for 10 minutes, or coloring in an adult coloring book, or reading a good book, or going for a walk, or meeting up with friends. Whatever it is do something that you enjoy each day. It gives you something to look forward to as well.
7.) Sleep – I know you are probably thinking how does sleep tie into time management. Here’s the thing. If you are not getting enough sleep your brain is foggy, your body is dragging and it takes you longer to accomplish anything. So instead of burning the candle at both ends, make sure to knock off at a decent hour and get a good night’s sleep.
I hope you enjoyed learning these tips and I would love to hear what you are incorporating into your life or any tips that you may have also!
