Do you ever wonder how some people accomplish so much in so little time? We all have the same 24 hours in a day; no more, no less. So how is it that some people seem to be so productive while others struggle to get it all done and still don’t have time for themselves? The key is effective time management.
Effective time management allows you to:
- be more productive
- avoid missing deadlines and tasks
- minimize procrastination
- avoid stress
- have a better work/life balance
Whether it is for work or for pleasure, here are some ways to manage your time better:
Write it down. One of the biggest distractions we have is all the clutter in our minds. Write things down that you need to remember so that you can forget about it and focus on the task at hand. While some people prefer pen and paper, there are plenty of apps that are easy to access and use. If you have an iPhone, check out the Reminders app.
Prioritize. It’s often easy to work on the easiest tasks at hand, but that leads to higher priority items not getting done in a timely manner. Prioritize the tasks that you need to complete so that you can focus on what needs to be done to meet important deadlines. Try using the ABCDE method to help with prioritizing.
Block out distractions. Determine what distractions you have and eliminate, or at the very least, minimize them. If you find that you are constantly looking at your phone when a notification pops up, try putting it on Do Not Disturb mode while you focus on a task. (You may also find that using this feature during night hours helps you sleep better.) Are there conversations around you that grab your attention? Try playing music or white noise to block it out. Once you know what distracts you, you can find ways to eliminate them.
Set a timer. Some tasks may seem overwhelming. One way to help that is to set a timer. Whether it’s writing a blog 😉 or cleaning your house, it you set a timer and know that you only need to work on it for that amount of time, it makes the task seem less daunting. It may take several sessions to complete the task, but often you’ll find that you complete it in less time than you anticipated. (Well, that’s assuming you’ve worked on blocking out distractions.)
Small changes can make a huge difference in our productivity and efficiency. And soon you’ll discover there is more time for the things you enjoy.
This post is courtesy of MMC Office and Accounting Manager Kimberli Holcombe.