Managing your time is important; it helps improve your efficiency and productivity, which can help reduce your stress. It also applies to more than just your career, making it a key factor in helping you reach your goals and live a more fulfilling life both in and outside of work. The main goal is for you to manage your time instead of letting it manage you. Below are a few tips to help you get started.
1. Create a daily schedule – and stick with it. Start your day with an organized to-do list, listing what you need to accomplish first. At the end of your day, and before leaving work, create a list of the most pressing tasks for the next day. This simple step will help you prepare for the next day, and allow you to enjoy your evening without worry.
2. Get organized. When organizing your to-do list, prioritize your tasks based on importance and urgency of the task. Another thing to consider organizing (and cleaning) is your desk. A cluttered desk can prevent you from having a productive work day. Create your own filing system for your documents. I’ve found that using folders and labeling them even saves me time when searching for a document.
3. Avoid the urge to multitask. Take on one task at a time and don’t jump around from task to task. Bouncing around can prevent you from actually finishing any of them, but focusing can save you time and help you meet your deadlines.
4. Set a time limit for each task. Setting a time limit or even a time frame for each task can help prevent you from getting distracted or procrastinating. Setting time frames and time limits for each task, allows you to focus on each task individually rather than trying to worry about multiple tasks at once. It also provides a natural structure to work within and allows you to tune out other distractions.
5. Eliminate distractions. I personally enjoy putting my earbuds in and choosing a deep focus playlist with atmospheric sounds, and getting to work. Identify your top two distractions and focus on conquering those for two weeks and see how much more productive you are.
These are just a few quick tips to help master time management at work and in your every day life. If you have any other tips for effectively managing your time, we would love to hear them. Tell us about them in the comments below.