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Time Management Tips

What is Time Management?

Time management is the process of utilising the time available to us in a planned manner so that we can use that time more efficiently and effectively in our daily lives. It helps us reduce stress, overwhelm and burnout. If we get it right we can get more done in less time. Stress, anxiety and fatigue can be caused by things that you haven’t done. Worry can occur by thinking about things you want to do but you feel you don't have time for. 

Setting realistic work and personal goals for each day helps to solve some problems caused by unfinished work.  If you can finish a task there will be a sense of satisfaction and good time management will help you to realistically plan your day. Being able to walk away from an unfinished task is a skill that helps promote a healthy work-life balance if there isn’t enough time to finish the task. It’s okay to leave it to take it up again the next day or at the start of a new week. This may apply to a personal task that is causing you to be late for work or a work task that is causing you to miss out on personal or family time.  

 

The Benefits of Effective Time Management

  • Less stress and burnout.
  • Greater efficiency and productivity.
  • A reputation for reliability.
  • Greater opportunities for career success.
  • Work-life balance.

 

Time Management Tips

  • Set realistic personal and professional goals.
  • Establish what your priorities are, what is important to you?
  • Ask yourself do I need to be at that meeting or on that email list.
  • Decide how much time to give to each task.
  • Be flexible if necessary.
  • Assess your goals and priorities regularly. 
  • Have self-awareness to be able to spot obstacles.
  • Take control of your time, set boundaries and keep them. 
  • Don’t block book the day, allow time for crisis management or for free time. 
  • Make a list and cross out a task when it is completed. 
  • Make standard lists for shopping, Summer, Christmas etc.
  • Use an event reminder system so that you are not surprised at the last minute. 
  • Complete old long standing tasks to reduce stress and worry. 
  • Learn to drop unimportant tasks.
  • Delegate or say “No” at work and at home. 
  • Work out strategies to eliminate time wasting and procrastination.
  • Look at what you are putting off and ask yourself why?
  • Spend the right time on the right activity.   
  • Make time to take care of yourself and get support if needed.
  • Set aside specific “Me Time” for relaxing activities. 
  • Practise mindfulness and be fully in the present moment.
  • Look after your physical and mental health.
  • Eliminate clutter from your work and home.
  • Observe results and make changes if needed.

 

 

 

Suggested Reading

  1. “The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People” by Stephen R. Covey
  2. “15 Secrets Successful People Know About Time Management” by Kevin Kruse
  3. “Deep Work: Rules for Focused Success in a Distracted World” by Cal Newport
  4. “Getting Things Done” by David Allen
  5. “Eat That Frog” by Brian Tracy.  
  6. “The 80/20 Principle” by Richard Koch.