People tend to belong to two camps when it comes to time. Some people have all the time in the world and can’t seem to get anything done, while others seem to fit an impossible schedule into a single day. There’s no escaping the fact that there are 24 hours in a day, which can often feel like not enough time. The key to unlocking the ability to slow the clock and fit more into each day is knowing how to manage time.
Efficiency is a skill that seems unattainable, but it’s very easy to achieve. You don’t have to sacrifice a rabbit or promise the name of your first-born to the gods in exchange for successful time management. The solution is to have a plan. That sounds too simple, but a to-do list helps you stay on top of everything you need to do. The biggest mistake you can make is to put too much on the list. For starters, narrow your list down to three or five priorities you want to take care of daily. The visible reminder of a to-do list allows you to cross things off, which makes you feel accomplished.
The to-do list is a great first step, but there are other things you can do to master your time. Become more adept at managing your time by implementing the following tips. You’ll be able to manipulate time in ways you never thought possible!
Plan Ahead
This is everyone’s dream, but it’s often hard to turn this into reality. When you try to make a plan in the morning, you spend unnecessary time and effort working out what you need to do for the rest of the day. Don’t wander aimlessly through the morning; rather, start each morning with conviction by making a plan the night before. Take the last 15 minutes of your work day to organize your desk, compose notes for the coming day, or draft a couple emails. You’ll accomplish multiple tasks in the office, or while you work from home, as soon as you start.
Stop Multitasking
Multitasking is a skill in and of itself, but it doesn’t always make you the most productive person in the world. If you already experience difficulty managing your time, the last thing you should do is tackle several things at once. More often than not, multitasking is harmless, except for when you have a deadline. Listening to a podcast while cleaning is harmless. Checking Instagram, working on a presentation, listening to Spotify, and sending emails detracts from your work. Focus on completing one task at a time and you’ll find that you are able to accomplish more things throughout the day.
Set Deadlines
Now, focusing on a single task is wonderfully sound advice, but you can’t spend your entire day only doing one thing, especially when you have more on your plate. People say that work will expand to fill the time you have available. That means that you could spend all day working on one thing if you don’t have a deadline. Studies show that having a time restraint keeps you more motivated to complete the task and beat the clock. Set time limits and you’ll find that you can complete more tasks.
Make A Distraction List
Everyone gets distracted at different moments during the day. Some people get sucked into the Instagram vortex during a workout, while others lose themselves in an Amazon shopping spree during work hours. If you want to manage your time, there’s no room for distractions. When you are completing a task and pull away to indulge in a distraction, make a note of it and write it down on your distraction list. If you’re typing in Word and then go to check your email, make a note of it. A distraction can be as simple as a random thought! Write down whatever distracts you so you can think about it later once you finish your work.
Find Solutions, Not Problems
When you encounter a situation, no good comes from a negative outlook. It’s important to put everything in perspective and focus on finding a solution to the problem. Whether it’s resolving an argument or fixing a mistake, try to understand both sides of the equation to develop a solution that benefits all parties. When you start attacking problems with this mentality, you’ll be able to spend less time on the problem!
