Getting work done, meeting deadlines, and being productive 100% of the time is difficult for everyone. It's even harder if you struggle with time management. Luckily, there are several ways you can improve your time management skills. These range from simple changes in your day-to-day to complete overhauls in how you schedule your life! This article explores the many time management techniques you can use to get things done more efficiently, including making a day schedule, getting rid of distractions, and organizing the perfect workspace.
Write down everything you would like to accomplish:
Review your list and prioritize what absolutely has to get done that week, such as a task with a looming deadline. Setting specific goals helps keep you motivated and will make you feel extra accomplished when you have achieved everything set out to do.
Use a calendar or a piece of paper for scheduling:
Map out exactly how you want to use your time each day, leaving nothing out of your schedule. Include how much time you would like to spend on each task. For example, start your schedule with something like, "7:30 AM - 8:00 AM: Wake up and eat breakfast." Follow that with the first major task of your day, such as "8:00 AM - 8:30 AM: Answer Emails."
Pick the hardest or most pressing task of the day to do first:
Let's say you have a colossal amount of homework to do, and you don't know where to start. Review the due dates of your assignments as well as the difficulty level of each one, and prioritize accordingly. Getting a difficult, time-consuming assignment out of the way first will make you feel accomplished and ready to tackle the rest of your to-do list.
It's hard to get things done when you are doing too many things at once:
As you cross things off your to-do list, keep your mind focused on the task at hand. Shut out thoughts about other responsibilities, and avoid going back and forth between unrelated duties. It is much more efficient to tackle one responsibility at a time.
Give each task your full attention:
Turn off any distractions such as email, phone, and social media notifications. You should also eliminate noise, such as a nearby TV or Radio. Set aside time when you don't want to be disturbed and don't address any interruptions unless it is absolutely necessary.
You can't work or be productive 24 hours a day:
Schedule breaks throughout your day to give yourself some time to rest and relax. A break allows you to recharge and come back to a task with a fresh perspective. Try to do something on your break that is completely unrelated to your task, like drawing a picture, strumming a guitar, or playing a game of chess on your phone! You may also consider;
You don't have to do everything yourself:
Allowing another person to take care of something gives you a chance to devote yourself to your other tasks while still getting everything done. Be sure you delegate to someone reliable and trustworthy! You don’t want to worry about whether the person will actually get it done.
Carry a notebook and write down everything you do and for how long:
Alternatively, download a free time-tracking app like Due Time Tracking, Calendar, or TopTracker to keep tabs on how you spend each minute. Make sure you are honest. At the end of the day, review how you spent your time. Do this every day for a week to get a good picture of how you typically spend your day. At the end of the week, consider making changes if you find you spent way too many minutes (or even hours) checking social media or surfing the web.
Take note of what you completed as well as what still needs to get done:
Cross off the tasks you finished and make a new to-do list for the next day, starting with what you didn’t accomplish. Making time for this extra step each night helps you celebrate what you achieved while keeping your goals for the next day in mind. It can also help you get a better idea of what tasks take the most time. Use that information to reassess how much time you should give yourself to complete certain tasks.
At the start of a task, promise yourself a reward at the end of it:
For example, if you have a writing assignment you need to complete but are in no mood to do, allow yourself to go on a 20-minute walk to a nearby park once you’re done with the assignment!
It’s easy to take on more than you can handle:
Be realistic when agreeing to new responsibilities, keeping what you have to get done already in mind. For example, if your schedule is fully booked with classes and soccer practice during the school week, it may not be the best time to join another club.
Make a quick list when you’ve got extra time:
For example, try using the bus ride to work or school to do some extra planning. This is especially helpful if you find yourself particularly stressed out about your responsibilities during your leisure time!
Declutter your desk or find a quiet, calm space in your home:
If your desk is brimming with papers, envelopes, pens, and garbage, anyone would be a little stressed or distracted! Tidy up your workspace so that you eliminate any potential distractions. Throw away any garbage, dust off your laptop and desk, and try organizing your papers in a folder or binder.