Harden Elkington
You’re not alone if you feel like you’re stretched too thin and are constantly up against the clock. As the pace of modern life cranks up, we all feel the pressure to do more, faster.
In a recent survey by Harris Interactive on behalf of Everest College, nearly two-thirds (63 percent) of Americans said that their personal schedules have been cut back over the past few years as a result of the economy.
And while some of the leisure activities you enjoy may have been put on hold for now, one thing is clear: This year’s Top 10 Time Management Tips are more relevant than ever.
The time management tips below offer suggestions on how to use your time wisely and get back in control of your life.
Top 10 Time Management Tips
Make a list – and check it twice
With your schedule at the forefront of your mind, sit down and make a list of everything you need to accomplish each day. Once you’ve finished, review what’s on the list and then start working through them one by one in order of importance.
Get out of your own way
Sometimes, it’s you who’s holding yourself back. Look at the habits that are getting in the way of your productivity, such as constantly checking Facebook or Twitter, procrastinating by surfing the Web or lingering too long over lunch every day rather than taking a real break.
Get moving
It sounds simple, but exercise can do more than just tone your body. Exercising regularly helps you feel better, improves your mood and reduces stress.
By exercising every day, you’ll have the energy to take on tasks with gusto, be more focused at work or school, sleep better at night and actually enjoy moments of relaxation rather than constantly feeling tired.
Unleash your inner Type A
While it may seem counterintuitive for people who like to keep their lives unstructured, one of the greatest time-savers is to embrace a little structure in your life.
Whether you use calendars, planners or an online calendar app, be sure that you’re sharing all your key dates and deadlines with at least one person in your life so you can prioritize accordingly.
Set limit
In a culture where technology seems to be constantly beckoning us to log on, it’s important to set limits for yourself and stick with them.
That means being diligent about charging your devices at night, not checking email while socializing with friends or family and not constantly checking your phone for new messages.
Don’t be a perfectionis
It seems that no matter how far technology advances, we’re always on the go and pressed for time more than ever. However, slowing down is not always the answer!
In fact, rushing from one activity to another as fast as possible can actually help you get more done because it forces you to figure out the essentials and cut out the rest.
Don’t multitask
Research shows that multitasking doesn’t get your work completed faster and actually reduces productivity by as much as 40 percent. When possible, focus on one task at a time to be more efficient when completing projects.
Manage your time online
For those of us who do a lot of work or have a school-related business on the Internet, it’s important to manage the amount of time you spend there.
Just as you might block off certain times in your day for reading personal email and social media, be sure to schedule specific times during the week dedicated to working.
Clean up
It’s the end of the day and your desk is covered with papers, takeout containers, candy wrappers and half-empty water bottles.
While you’d like to tackle filing, sorting and organizing all at once, remember that doing one thing at a time will help you stay relaxed rather than feel overwhelmed by a big mess.
Keep an eye on your energy level
As you would a car, monitor the amount of gas in your tank to stay productive throughout the day. In fact, when you feel yourself running low, take a quick break and refuel with some healthy snacks or even a short nap!
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Why you should use your time wisely?
Because time is a very valuable thing and it can’t be brought back. When you spend your time, you might never get it again. So use your time wisely to do things that really matter to you.
When we were young, our parents told us over and over again how many hours there are in a day and what we should accomplish during them.
If they knew what time is worth in their life, maybe they would have been more careful about how they spend their years!
Don’t waste your time on things that won’t bring you any money or with people who don’t want to be with you. You will never get your time back once it’s gone. So use every minute of it efficiently.
Summary
So what are you waiting for? When is the last time someone told you to spend your valuable time wisely? It’s now or never! Start being productive, do things that really matter and avoid those activities that drain your energy. You have a lot of work ahead but don’t worry – now you have enough time to do it all!
We know that you will spend your time wisely and we hope that this article was helpful for you! If so, please share it with your friends and let us know what other things we should write about in the comments below.
Have a great day!
