Time Management - How to Manage Your Time

Time! What an interesting thing. Everyone gets the same amount of time for the day, but some people manage to do more things than others.

But how these people manage to do more things? What is it that they do?

The answer is simple; they know how to manage time.

Yes, Time Management makes a huge difference in life. It is the difference between having things done and not done.

When you manage your time you can do more and actually have more time to yourself, to relax and enjoy the things that you love. The quality of your life will improve significantly as you have more time to take care of yourself and your loved ones.

We all receive the same amount of time for the day; that is a fact, no arguing about. But how can you do more and also relax more? How can you manage your time to be more productive and functional?

Here is how:

1. Prioritize

Everything has to have a priority in your life; you must prioritize all that you do during the day.

Prioritize your time management, prioritize to be more efficient.

2. Get Organized

If you are not an organized person, then you have to work on this also. Please refer to my article: How to be an Organized Person for more information.

3. Make a To Do List

Think about all tasks that you have to do and write them down. Put a time limit on the things you have to do.

This is also a good time to set your goals and objectives.

4. Break Big Tasks into Smaller Ones

After you prepare your to do list, you are going to realize that some tasks are big/long and they can’t be done in one day, some will take several days, weeks or months to be accomplished.

Break those tasks into smaller ones, quicker to be done and accomplished.

A task should not take more than 4 hours to be executed. If it does, then break it down.

Some things just can’t wait. So, classify your tasks accordingly.

Try to use a system like this:

A = High Priority

B = Medium Priority

C = Low Priority

Count your tasks as you would normally do, but add the priority in front of them.

I usually do only 2-3 high priority tasks a day, since they are sensitive tasks and sometimes very time consuming.

By now you should have set your goals deadline, so that you know when to do the tasks related to them.

Distribute your task throughout your day and week. Do not put too many on one single day or you will get frustrated not accomplishing anything. However, put some extra effort during the first days of the week, as we a have tendency to be more productive on these days.

For example:

A1 - First task you need to do, high priority.

C2 - Second task, low priority.

B3 - Third task, medium priority.

A4 - Forth task, high priority.

B5 - Fifth task, medium priority.

Note: Do not put too many High Priority tasks during the day. Try to balance between priorities so that you don’t get frustrated and stressed.

Balance between moments of high concentration and more relaxed ones throughout your day.

Use every simple bit of technology that can help you; Internet Banking, Online Shopping or Telecommuting.

Take advantage of technology as much as possible can using e-mail, online calendars, news reader, put your bills on auto-pay, etc.

You take your phone with you everywhere you go, use your phone for your to do list and schedule.

Take your Laptop, iPad or Tablet with you so that you can work or read a book on the go.

8. Avoid Interruptions

Nothing will take more of your time then interruptions from other people, including phone calls. That is one of the many reasons I get up at 5 o’clock in the morning everyday, I wrote about it: Waking Up Early - How to Wake Up Early.

Learn not to let people interrupt you, close the door or let people around you know that you are going to be working on something for the next few hours and that you will be available for them at a specific time.

You can’t do everything by yourself. There is only a limited amount that you can do. Learn how to delegate; when you delegate tasks to other people you get more things done.

However, delegation is not an easy thing to do; you must learn to do it right to the right person or people in order to get it accomplished.

As you delegate a task, you must be able to control if the task is being done right and on time.

At the end of each day, ask yourself: Where did my day go?

Review your day and how did you spent most of your time. Adjust your time management accordingly.

Plan your next day.

Remember, busy is not the same as productive.

Take control of your time, or others will control it for you.

That's It

I hope you enjoyed these tips and start managing your time better.

If you have a tip on Time Management, please comment and share it with us.

Thanks for reading and best wishes to all…

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