7 Ways To Improve Your Time Management

The 21st century has greatly expanded the scope for women. The modern woman has so many more opportunities than her earlier counterpart. However, there is one big limitation and that is time.

There is an old proverb, which says, “A woman’s work is never done”. It is especially true today in this high-speed world. However, a woman’s day consists of 24 hours just like everyone else’s. So you have to make every minute count. To accomplish that it helps if you have good time management skills. Here are some tips to help you use your time wisely.

Make A Daily Schedule

Begin each day by making a schedule for that day. What goals do you wish to accomplish? Write these down as well as tasks you have to do and appointments you have to keep. Some persons prefer to do this digitally. Others like the good old pen and paper. Do not schedule your tasks too close together. Allow yourself to take a breath or two in between them. It is a good idea to set down your activities in order of importance. It gives a great deal of satisfaction to be able to cross off a hard task early in the day. If you are not a morning person, try setting your most difficult task for the time of day you feel most productive. Good organization cuts down on wasted time.

 

Remove Distractions

There are so many things to distract from the task at hand. These not only waste valuable time but feeds a tendency to procrastinate. Trying to work in front of the television may be setting yourself up for defeat. Turn it off! In fact, make sure it is not even in the same room. If you are using the computer, shut down all browsers not needed for the task you are doing so you will not be tempted to switch over. Do not allow people to come over just for a chat when you should be working. Leave the socializing for the breaks. This includes social media websites.

Have The Right Work Environment

Having an area set up just for work can do wonders for your time management. The ambiance is not just for restaurants and theaters. Put up little things on your workstation which will inspire and motivate you. Proper lighting and temperature are also important. So are a comfortable chair and an appropriate desk set to your level. Some persons like plants or flowers. Whatever makes you eager to work and is in keeping with the code at your workplace. Don’t forget, there should be no distractions.

Avoid Multitasking

Multitasking may not work sometimes. It is difficult for the brain to do more than one task at a time. If you are trying to do several tasks, you may be doing one at the expense of others. You can test this out. Time yourself trying to do three tasks at once. Then time yourself doing three tasks separately. Afterward, add up the time. The results will speak for themselves. Give one task your full attention then move on to the next.

Keep Track Of Your Time

This might seem obvious, but it is important. While working, time can often get away from you. Allot time for each task and try to stick to that time where possible. You should have a clock, watch or any other timekeeper available. Alarm reminders can also help. You do not want at the end of the day to find that you have not accomplished all you wanted to do because you spent too much time on a task. When making your schedule you should take into consideration the time each task might take.

Leave Time For Rest

There is another proverb, which says, “All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy”. Well, this also applies to Jill. Do not join the Workaholics Club. The body needs time to rest and recharge to work at optimum efficiency. If you let work cut into your rest time, then your efficiency will not only decrease over time, but you may become lethargic and listless. You may even become ill. So not only should you make sure your body gets the sleep it needs, but you should also take small breaks between tasks. Do not make a habit of working through your lunch break.

You can use your break time to chat with friends and catch up on social media. Then you can go back to work more refreshed.

Family Time

The importance of family time cannot be stressed enough. Never leave them out of your schedule. Give them quality time, not what is left over from work. They provide the love and support you need to function well at whatever you do. Your family does not have to be biological. If you do not have a biological family, you can hopefully create one from your network of friends. It is always good to have a safe place where you can relax and be yourself..

 

In concluding, please remember that these are not the only ways to improve time management. Only a few have been suggested here to help you better manage your time. For more advice on using your time wisely and balance all your different tasks check out my complimentary course. If you have any tips that you want to share on how to use your time effectively, please feel free to comment below. Your thoughts and experiences are always welcome.