Learning essential time management skills is sadly not something everyone does while growing up. The results of that failure can include missed appointments, blown deadlines and a generally uncomfortable life. Fortunately, the information below can make a big difference in streamlining your days and making you a far happier individual.
Don’t be afraid of division! Many of the tasks that look impossible in your to-do list are actually composed of several small tasks. In order to manage your time wisely, break down major tasks into lesser, minor ones. You’ll be able to tackle individual parts of a big job one at a time, making progress and maintaining your motivation.
When you find yourself constantly late and missing deadlines, consider getting a bigger clock and putting it in a place where it stares you down all the time. Studies show that when people can see a clock during the day, they mentally gravitate toward more time-saving efforts! Try this at home and the office to better manage your time.
Prior to calling someone on the phone at work, take a few minutes to plan out the questions that you need answered. Often a lot of time is wasted simply through the rambling that occurs on the telephone when you don’t know what you really need. Having a sense of your goals prior will help keep you on track.
To perfect your personal system of time management, take a moment to catalog the most common time-wasting activities you engage in. Whether you prefer to check your e-mail, surf the web, or hang out in the break room, you should identify the behaviors you practice when you’re dodging work. In the future, when you notice yourself initiating these time-wasting processes, stop and remind yourself that you have important work to do!
If you are working on a project, consider closing your office door. An open door tends to invite folks in to chat. A closed door gives you total privacy. You will be able to do things on time when people know you are trying to focus.
Consider not wearing a watch. It sounds counterintuitive to time management, but some people are clock watchers. They get focused on the time, to the detriment of actual time management. You need to free yourself of this to really focus. In fact, you’ll find that it’s quite liberating and effective to just get down to work without being the slave of a clock or watch.
Don’t dismiss the simplicity of a simple pocket sized planner with pages for you to write in appointments, birthdays, lists and other important things. People tend to rely too much on electronic gadgets to help them manage their lives but paper and pen can often be the most effective way to organize your thoughts.
A simple yet effective time management tip is to keep a detailed journal each day that includes all tasks performed and errands run, and how long each one took. Try to maintain this type of log, especially on your busiest days so that you have a good reference for future planning. In this way, you will be able to craft efficient schedules for yourself that do not waste valuable time.
If you need peace and quiet to manage your time better, consider hanging up some do not disturb signs. A few simple signs, especially in a busy office environment, can alert those around you that your time is currently off limits. It’s not at all rude to put up these signs. In fact, most people will appreciate the hard work that you are doing.
A lack of time management ability is something that way too many people suffer from these days. Just taking a bit of time to learn some key techniques is a great way to simplify life and make each of your family members much more content. Review the advice above as needed, and get to managing your time much more effectively.