It often seems as if there is never enough time in the day. How can you get everything done without feeling rushed or harried? With the right time management skills, you can take control of your schedule and have enough time for everything. Keep reading for some great tips on managing your time.
Schedule any important events or appointments. Try to create a time limit for those events. Once you have a schedule written out for the day, do your best to stick to it. If one thing goes overtime, find a place that you could reduce the allowed time. This will help you get through your day without going over your time constraints.
Create a to-do list every morning before you begin your work. Sometimes time is eaten up in the day simply because you don’t have a plan. Even a light sketch of a plan, like a simple to-do list is enough to save you precious minutes, even hours, during the day.
Build time in your day for unforeseen interruptions. It’s time to own the fact that you can’t control what happens every minute. Things happen, whether you want them to or not. So add in buffer time into your schedule to handle these moments. That way, at the end of the day, you’ll still feel accomplished!
If managing time is becoming a problem in your life, start delegating where you can. At home, ask others to pick up the pace or the slack, so you everyone can become more efficient. At work, make sure you’re not constantly picking up the slack for others! Delegate some of your load and manage time better.
Keep a journal of your days for a week or two. Include everything that you are doing during the day. Once you have compiled a list of all of your activities, you will be able to find where you are wasting time. This way, you can eliminate any unnecessary activities in the day.
Make a list of all your tasks that must get done. Number them, starting at number “1” with the most important project. Working from the top downward to ensure that your priority tasks get completed. If you find it difficult to remember everything that appears on the list, carry a copy of your list with you.
If you’re constantly in a bind for time, start cutting people off. If you let them, your neighbors, co-workers and others will eat more time off the clock than you can afford. Learn how to say no or politely excuse yourself from conversations and other unnecessary situations so that you can devote quality time to your own priorities.
Put yourself first. Often, we find ourselves putting other people’s needs ahead of ours. Just realize that most of the stress from a poorly managed day is not getting your own business accomplished. Prioritize your needs and tasks and relieve some pressure. This will allow you to better focus on others’ needs when it is time.
Being able to manage your time properly is important if you want to succeed in life. The more control you have over your schedule, the more progress you will be able to make towards your goals. By implementing these time management tips in your life, you can start to control your life again.