Time management is an important skill to
cultivate. It can help you make the most out of each day, leading to success in
areas like work and school. To manage your time, use your time productively by
working in the right environment and prioritizing tasks. Minimize distractions
by shutting off your phone and social media when necessary. Make sure to follow
a daily schedule that allows you to make the most out of each day.
Create the right environment to
work. The environment you work in can
help with your overall productivity. There are no strict rules about a work
environment, so pick what feels right for you. Surround yourself with inspiring
decorations that help you feel enthusiastic and passionate. These feelings will
help you stay on task and be productive.
- For example, maybe a particular artist inspires you. Invest in a few prints of their paintings and hang these up on your walls.
- If you can choose a particular space to work, choose a space free of distractions. Working in front of your television may be a bad idea, but maybe you can push a desk into the corner of your bedroom and work there.
List your
tasks in terms of importance.
Before you begin your work load for the day, prioritize. To-do lists are a
great tool, but organize them a little rather than just writing down everything
that needs to get done. Group tasks in terms of importance.
- Before making your list, write down categories in terms of important. For example, tasks labeled "urgent" must be done today. Tasks labeled "important, but not urgent" are important to do, but can wait. Tasks with labels like "low-priority" can be put off if necessary.
- List task sunder each category. For example, if you need to finish a report for work, that would be an urgent task. If you need to begin another work project, but the deadline is not for another two weeks, that would be an "important, but not urgent" task. If you would like to go for a run after work, but it's not vital, that would be a "low-priority" task.
Do
important tasks first. Finishing
crucial tasks first thing in the morning will leave you with a sense of
accomplishment. The day will already feel like a success and a great deal of
your stress will be eliminated. Start off each day by knocking out the most
important tasks on your list.
- For example, if you have five e-mails you need to respond to and a report that must be proofread, do that as soon as you get into the office.
Keep some
work with you at all times. Take
advantage of your downtime by keeping work with you at all times. If you have a
few stray minutes on the bus, use that to read something for school or work. If
you're waiting in line at the grocery store, return some work e-mails on your
phone. If you always have work on you, you can always be making the most of
your time.
- If you're a student, think about investing in some audiobooks or recording your lectures. While waiting in line or walking to class, you can listen to material for your courses.
Do not
multitask. Many people assume multitasking is
a great way to get more done each day and manage time wisely. However, focusing
on multiple tasks at once actually makes you less productive. Things will take
longer to do, as you're not giving anything your full attention. Focus
completely on one task at a time instead. You will get your work done quicker
this way, allowing you to make the most of your time.
- For example, return all your emails. Then, log out of your email account and move on to another task. Do not worry about your email for now. If you need to return more emails later in the day, you can do that after you complete the task at hand.
