Tips For Effective Time Management

Discover five guidelines to help you manage your time, from using a schedule book or calendar to implementing some structure into your day and more. See what's helping people learn about time management with greater ease and how you can benefit from those same advantages. Learn how to manage your time better as you read on.

1 Use A Schedule Book Or Calendar

The chances are good that once you write something down, you'll be much more likely to remember it without even looking at your to-do list. The discipline of writing in a planner can be quite rewarding. It'll make you more mindful of the work at hand, and it'll force you to organize your day effectively to accomplish what's on your list.

When you get up every morning, take the time to look over your schedule while eating breakfast or sipping your coffee - this will help you map out your day in your head or make adjustments to your plan. The more flexibility you have in your schedule, the better you will be able to get around unforeseen difficulties. Get in the habit of confirming appointments or meetings with people to make sure that nothing has changed; if a different time is better for you, don't be afraid to ask for a change in the time or date. If a meeting is in the middle of your day, considering shifting it. After all, you'll only lose a few minutes of productivity before and after as you regain your momentum.

2 Don't Overcommit Yourself

Many of us start developing terrible time management habits because of overcommitment. We want to be everywhere and help people with everything. If you're feeling harried and hurried, then you're not able to perform at your best.

3 Think About Your Physical And Mental Health

Improve your time management skills by taking a brief break. Use this break to reflect and gain perspective on what's going on and where you need to put your focus on. Your physical and mental health is important for managing your time.

4 Determine Where You Want To Focus Your Time

If you have children, decide before the school year starts how much time you have to commit to school or after-school activities. At work, think about what committees or groups you can participate in without over-extending yourself. If you overcommit yourself, your quality of work will suffer.

If you're constantly running behind, try to wear a watch with an alarm or set alarms on your cell phone. This can make a big difference when you're trying to get to places on time. Just wearing a watch can make you a whole lot more time conscious.

5 Implement Some Structure Into Your Day

Set a specific schedule for the morning and evening. You can accomplish routine tasks every day by doing so. Eventually, you'll become more efficient, and this will free up more time in your day for other activities.

In the morning, make a point of cleaning up the kitchen before going to work - clean the coffee maker, put the dirty plates and cups in the dishwasher, and wipe down your counter before walking out the door. That way, when you get home, you're able to take some time to unwind without rushing. In the evening, declutter your living space, putting everything where it belongs. Clean up the dinner table, wipe down the counters, and do your nighttime routine before climbing into bed. Integrating structure into your day will help you think clearer and feel more organized.

Whether you're at home or on the job, you'll find that you'll have a tough time getting things done if you don't have time management skills. Time management is not all that hard to master. It just takes practice. Make sure that you implement some of the above tips into your daily routine.

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