How To Manage Your Time
Always finding yourself cramming to finish a project that should have been completed days ago? Do you run late for work every morning, then struggle to finish a workload in less time than you have? It’s probably because you don’t know how to manage your time. Proper time management is a great attribute, but mastering it can be tricky. Don’t worry, here are several hints how.
Set Your Priorities
You’ve got two projects at hand: the first one is urgent, and is to be submitted at the end of the day, while the second can be handed in tomorrow. The second is easier, so you decide to work on it first. Before you know it, the day’s coming to an end, and you haven’t even started on the more urgent task. You then cram, trying to push plenty of work into very little time.
Avoid this dilemma by learning how to set your priorities. Prioritize your tasks according to their urgency and importance, not their ease. If you focus, you can easily get the more difficult task done, and have plenty of time to do the less urgent projects you have.
Don’t Procrastinate
Procrastination is the most common crime students and employees are guilty of. It’s when you leave off a task until later, even though you can deal with it now. Before you know it, you waste precious time, hurrying to finish the task you left off. You end up with an unsatisfactory output and lots of stress on your back.
Never procrastinate. If you’ve got time, then do what you must do. Leaving it until later only pushes you to cram, and later on, you’ll regret your actions. Remember, sloth isn’t a deadly sin for nothing.
Make A Schedule
If you know how to organize your tasks, you’ll find it easier to organize your time. Write down all your tasks, so you can determine which are urgent and which ones can be set aside. Make a list, and examine your plans for the day, the week or the month. Schedule them by setting specific time periods for each one. Always have a mini-calendar with you or on your desk. You can also jot down your notes in a planner or a journal.
Another tip: always make room for extra time. There are time-consuming factors that we often leave out, like transportation and preparation. Factor these in when you plan and make your schedule.
Avoid Distractions
Responsible workers are dead-set on their goal; they have their eyes solely on it, not minding any distraction that comes their way. The more focused they are, the quicker they get done, giving them more free time.
If you’ve got a really urgent task on your hands that needs a lot of time, try not to let distractions get the better of you. Say “no” when your friends ask you to go out and drink. Ignore the new DVD movie lying on your coffee table. These can wait until later. One you finish the task early, you earn yourself some extra time, you can now indulge and entertainment yourself without guilt.
Say “No”
Hardworking as you may be, there are instances when you can’t do anything alone, no matter how hard you try. If you’ve got your hands full already, you should learn to decline tasks that are offered to you. Learn to say “no”, but don’t feel bad about it. It only adds extra stress to your life. Besides, if you don’t finish the new task on time, the one who trusted you with it will be really disappointed.
Delegate
Another good tactic is to delegate the tasks. You don’t always have to do everything by yourself. Ask others to help you. Give out projects to your subordinates in the office, tell your kids to help you with the chores, or pay a gardener to clean and maintain your lawn. Doing this will assure you that more tasks are finished in less time.
A minute lost is a minute you’ll never get again. Time, when you let it slip by, is something you can never have back. With these simple tips, learn how to manage and use your time efficiently. You’ll soon find yourself stress-free and with plenty of time on your hands.