Time Management Techniques
When you've got a hectic lifestyle, the importance of effective time management becomes even more relevant. Time can't be bought or borrowed – there are only 24 hours in every day - that's why you want to make sure that you're spending your valuable time on the right things.
It may feel counterintuitive to spend time on implementing techniques that could save you time, but as with any productivity tips, you need to set up a system to implement first.
Remember that not every technique will work for you. The key is to find the ones that are suitable for your particular lifestyle, wants and needs to help you to create a fulfilling life eventually.
Do a Time Audit
It's hard to know if you're using your time in the best way when you don't see what you're spending it on. By getting clear on where your time goes, you can identify opportunities to be more efficient and increase your productivity. The easiest way to do a time audit is to download an app like Toggl or Rescue Time and track an average workweek for at least five days. You'll then have access to a report that will hopefully reveal what your time thieves are and where you can make some changes for better results.
Plan Your Day
Last thing at night, plan your day. Don't jump straight into your 'to-do' list; take the time to consider your week as a whole. Start by adding your goal-orientated tasks first, and then move to appointments, meetings and other commitments. The reason why this works so well is that long term goals are the easiest to procrastinate or postpone. So by making sure your daily tasks are aligned with your long-term objectives, you'll automatically feel more organised, focused and motivated to achieve them.
Create a To-Do List
At the core of it, a to-do list is a list of priorities. It helps to create structure in your day, keep you accountable, and acts as a reminder of what needs to get done. Try to include a range of tasks on your list (i.e. quick wins, urgent jobs, larger pieces in progress) and enjoy the hit of dopamine that relieves stress with every job you tick off.
Delegate and Outsource
Take a good look at your to-do list; you should see where some delegation or support is required. Don't be afraid to delegate or outsource; they're real-time savers that help to lessen the load. Find the right person for the job, provide them with clear instructions and a definition of success, and you'll have freed up some essential time for other priorities.
Try Hourly Check-ins
This is a good one to make sure that you're being mindful and moving through your day with focus. It also allows you to make adjustments to your schedule so that if anything unexpected does crop up, you can deal with it productively and it won't throw the rest of your day off.
Learn to Say No
Lastly, learn to say no. This one seems simple, but it can be tricky. It never feels great to disappoint someone, but if you don't say no, and it impacts your desired outcomes, then you're only disappointing yourself. The key is to learn what to say no to and remind yourself that saying no is a way of valuing your own time.
Start by choosing one or two of the above strategies to implement into your daily life, and the benefits of more organisation, better productivity and less stress should encourage you to stay the course, and possibly even add a few more strategies into your routine further along the track.