We often hear complaints from nearly everyone we know that we don't have time for this and that. In fact, some of my friends tell me that 24 hours a day are certainly not enough for the things that they have to do.
So, I've gathered some tips here to manage time effectively and I trust that this post will definitely benefit all readers.
What is the point of time management tips you may ask? Changing time management habits takes time and effort, and it is always much easier when a person has a simple system of practical rules and hints that are easy to keep in mind. That is exactly what the tips below are for.
1) Know what you want from your time
The proven way to do it is to set goals and to set them intelligently. Listing them priority wise and categorizing them into short and long term goals according to the desired outcome is one of the basic and important exercise.
2) Learn to see the difference between urgent and important
The important tasks are those that lead you to your goals, and give you most of the long term progress and reward. Those tasks are very often not urgent. You'll be surprised to know that many 'urgent' tasks are not really important.
3) Know and respect your priorities
Aim to do the important things first. ALWAYS remember the 80:20 rule. 80% of reward comes from 20% of effort. One of the aims of time management tips is to help refocus the mind to give more attention and time to those most important 20%.
4) Plan your actions for achieving your goals
Convert goals into a system of specifications to be done. The first significant point of planning is the planning process itself. It is a known fact that the planning process stimulates the brain to come up with new efficient solutions. It programs the subconscious mind to search for shortcuts. Besides, planning will help in identifying potential conflicts and crises, minimizing the number of urgent tasks.
Planning can also significantly lower the time spent on routine maintenance tasks, leaving more time to focus on long term success. Also remember that planning and related time management tips work best when the plans are reviewed regularly. Just try this and see how it goes. You'll be amazed at the results.
5) Schedule time for your tasks
Your concentration can be easily lost in the ocean of many boring or less important things waiting to be done. Undone things circulating in your mind are also a big drain in your mental energy. Most often, there is no way to get those things out of the mind except for either doing them or scheduling them in a productive system, convincing the mind that they will be done in due time.
6) Know how you spend your time
Keep a time log during some time interval, like a week and then analyze it to see where the time goes. For example, what percentage of time spent on urgent and on important activities, what people occupied most of your time. This will help in analyzing where most of your time is spent and whether the time is spent wisely. This is also an effective way to get feedback on how well time management tips and techniques are working, and where adjustments are needed.
So here they are, 6 effective tips for time management. My wish is for you to assimilate these tips and use them wisely in your career and your life.
I do agree that life does get in the way sometimes and one can never follow these tips stringently. However, having said that, it is always helpful to revert back to these tips when needed.
As with all these time management tips, it's good to get a head start with these tips by using the tools for time management such as activity logs, filing and to do lists. I will write another post especially on this topic soon. Good luck to all of you. Remember that TIME IS GOLD!!
4) Plan your actions for achieving your goals
Convert goals into a system of specifications to be done. The first significant point of planning is the planning process itself. It is a known fact that the planning process stimulates the brain to come up with new efficient solutions. It programs the subconscious mind to search for shortcuts. Besides, planning will help in identifying potential conflicts and crises, minimizing the number of urgent tasks.
Planning can also significantly lower the time spent on routine maintenance tasks, leaving more time to focus on long term success. Also remember that planning and related time management tips work best when the plans are reviewed regularly. Just try this and see how it goes. You'll be amazed at the results.
5) Schedule time for your tasks
Your concentration can be easily lost in the ocean of many boring or less important things waiting to be done. Undone things circulating in your mind are also a big drain in your mental energy. Most often, there is no way to get those things out of the mind except for either doing them or scheduling them in a productive system, convincing the mind that they will be done in due time.
6) Know how you spend your time
Keep a time log during some time interval, like a week and then analyze it to see where the time goes. For example, what percentage of time spent on urgent and on important activities, what people occupied most of your time. This will help in analyzing where most of your time is spent and whether the time is spent wisely. This is also an effective way to get feedback on how well time management tips and techniques are working, and where adjustments are needed.
So here they are, 6 effective tips for time management. My wish is for you to assimilate these tips and use them wisely in your career and your life.
I do agree that life does get in the way sometimes and one can never follow these tips stringently. However, having said that, it is always helpful to revert back to these tips when needed.
As with all these time management tips, it's good to get a head start with these tips by using the tools for time management such as activity logs, filing and to do lists. I will write another post especially on this topic soon. Good luck to all of you. Remember that TIME IS GOLD!!
