Seven Simple Steps For Effective Time Management
Time is one of the most important commodities that we have. But we are bombarded with more tasks than we can keep up with and often times the most important things in life are shifted to second place just out of necessity. This short article highlights seven keys that you can put into practice that will cut down on wasted time and help you build in more time with family, friends and the things you enjoy.
1. Tips for Staying Focused
If you are having trouble staying on task there are several techniques available:
- Do the thing you loathe first. Sometimes by getting your most dreaded task out of the way you will enjoy the rest of your day.
- Break down a big job into sections and attack each section at a time.
- Each day set a timer for 10 minutes and perform as many repetitive tasks as you can in those 10 minutes.
- Reward yourself whenever you complete a task – talk to a co-worker briefly, get a cup of tea, treat yourself to chocolate at lunch or take a short walk.
Try all four methods to find out which method works for you.
2. Store Must-Read Articles for the Right Time
Keep articles and stories you would like to read for pleasure or business readings in a separate folder and read them while waiting at the doctor’s office or riding the exercise bike at the gym. This will keep you focused on the articles that you need to read so that you are not side-tracked.
3. Listen to Books While Driving
The average person spends over 6 months of their life just sitting at stop lights. Take back some of that life that disappears into the abyss and give your-self the luxury of reading through listening to books while driving. You can listen to audio books for enjoyment or better yourself by learning a new skill.
4. Take Advantage of Your Lunch Break
A full lunch hour can seem like a waste of time but if you take care of tasks such as online banking, going to the gym, and grocery shopping on your lunch break you free up time for your family and other activities after office hours.
5. Automate As Much As Possible
There are many things you can automate that will help you save time. Try setting up automatic bill payments on your credit card so that there is only one lump sum withdrawal from your checking account and you do not need to check your bank balance incessantly. Also look at setting up macros for programs at work for tasks that you have to repeat.
6. Set Priorities and Time Limits for Your To-do-list
By setting out the goals that need to be accomplished each day and by assigning a time limit to each task you are more likely to stay on target. This will also help ensure that the most important items are accomplished that day. The least important items can usually be left for the next day.
7. Write a Do-not-list
Find out what your time wasters are and limit them. It may seem juvenile to write such a list but it will remind you of the things that rob you of time. Some items that my find themselves on the “do not list” are phone calls, emails and Facebook that can consume an entire day if you let them. Try turning off your phone for a set time so that you can accomplish a goal. If Facebook is your weakness then do NOT log in to your profile. These online time management skills will help stop the constant electronic interruptions.
Everyone gets 24 hours per day to work, to play and to spend time with family and friends, and to do volunteer work and that is why time management skills are indispensable. Take the necessary steps to redeem time from the mundane tasks so that you can devote more time to the things you enjoy doing and to the ones you love.
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