What is Time Management?
We can go deep into science and define time from its milliseconds to its mega seconds to its astrophysical importance and everything in between, but this ain’t that kind of blog. Simply put: time is a measure of what is done.
Time-management is setting specific times to accomplish particular tasks. It’s creating a schedule so that you know what you have to do and when you will do it. And most importantly, it’s using your time effectively so that you can achieve your goals.
Time is always running, and everything we do is measured against time. Some tasks bind us to complete them at a specific time like waking up for work, grabbing the kids from school or going to church.
But what about the tasks that have to be time managed by you? That trip to the mall, spending time with your family, not neglecting your friends, making use of that gym membership? What about your daily, weekly and monthly schedule? Reflecting back over the past three months, can you honestly say that you’ve managed your time well for the important things that matter? If not, don’t freak out! We’ll start to figure it out together.
The Importance of Time Management
Decreases Procrastination
This is the main objective of managing your time because getting started is the hardest part. Having a schedule that clearly outlines your tasks helps you to identify what’s important. When you know what’s important, it’s easier to avoid procrastinating and start completing your to-do list. The more that you start to get done, the more you want to continue the momentum to keep getting things done.
Boosts Your Confidence
Believe it or not, managing your time leaves you feeling confident. It gives you a sense that everything is “under control” (for the most part). Knowing what you have to do when and where you have to be at what time leaves you feeling successful.
Increases A Sense of Calmness
We all forget from time to time, we’re human. Life can get you so busy that you forget even the most important of things. Managing your time takes away the worry of missing deadlines because your days, weeks, months and years are planned out to an extent. As a bonus, you’re able to manage unexpected tasks because you’ll know where exactly to fill them in.
4 Tips to Start Figuring It Out
Tip 1: Know how much time you have and create your to-do list.
Imagine having a to-do list with dedicated time for each task but you don’t know how much total time you have. Sounds confusing right? But that’s often what we do in real life. We say, “I need to go to the store, clean the living room, start dinner, and write an article”, but we only have one hour. That’s not realistic and will set you up to end up doing nothing at all. Knowing how much time you have allows you to be realistic when making your to-do list.
A to-do list is more of a daily time management schedule that prepares you for even larger time management schedules (like weekly, monthly and even yearly to-do’s). When you know exactly what you need to do, you are less likely to do things that are time-wasters. List out all of the tasks that you would like accomplished today. Then, identify when you have the appropriate time to complete them.
Tip 2: Prioritize.
Now that you know what you have to do, identify which tasks are more important than others and which ones have immediate completion needs or timeframes. Prioritizing helps you become more aware of moments that you’re engaging in time-wasting tasks. Acknowledge that you’re wasting time and resume focus towards an important or immediate task.
Step 3: Use a visual method that works for you.
All of the planning happens in our minds (along with so many other distractions). Our mind is easily cluttered and distracted - which means we easily forget things that need to be done. Therefore, a visual reminder of your plans is beneficial. When writing your to-do list, make sure it’s on something or someplace where you are sure to look.
If you’re always on your phone, set notifications or alarms that will pop up while you’re using it. If you like sticky notes, post your to-do list all around you and make it a game. How many sticky notes can you get rid of in 2 hours? Love planners? Schedule your to-do list into your daily schedule with a designated time for each task. The aim is to remember what it is that you have to do next… and do it!
Step 4: Know your limitations.
Read: give yourself grace! Don’t force yourself to accomplish so many tasks in one day that by tomorrow you’re too mentally exhausted to function. Know your limitations. Do you have enough time to do this? Are you physically capable of achieving that? Do you need to enlist outside help of some sort?
Also, sometimes life throws us unexpected and unavoidable limitations (like someone got sick or was in a car wreck). To help manage this, it’s important to give your schedule “buffer time”. This means do NOT jam pack every second with something to do. Allow yourself breaks to mentally and physically reset; and allow yourself breaks for the unexpected limitations of life happening. This helps us to not be so overwhelmed and anxious.
So there you have it!
If you’d like a free tool to help you declutter your brain so that you can effectively organize your time, then grab your Daily Brain Detox by clicking here.
Or if you know you need deeper guidance on increasing your productivity, book a complimentary consultation call here.
Blessings & Abundance
Your Resident Mindset Coach,
Lindsey