Good time management is essential for coping with the pressures of modern life without experiencing too much stress. If you never have enough time to finish your tasks, better time management will help you regain control of your day. Good time management doesn’t mean you do more work. It means you focus on the tasks that matter and will make a difference. Whether it’s in your job or your lifestyle as a whole, learning how to manage your time effectively will help you feel more relaxed, focused and in control. The aim of good time management is to achieve the lifestyle balance you want
Here are some top tips for better time management:
Work out your goals
This first step towards improving your time management is to ask your self some questions. Work out your priorities and what you want to achieve. Knowing your goals will help you plan better and focus on the things that will help you achieve those goals
Make a list
A common time-management mistake is trying to remember too many details, leading to information overload. A better way to stay organised and take control of your projects and tasks is to use a to-do list to write things down. Keeping a list will help you work out your priorities and timings, so it can help you put off the non-urgent tasks.
Work smarter, not harder
Good time management at work means doing high-quality work, not high quantity. Concentrate not on how busy you are but on results. Spending more time on something doesn’t necessarily achieve more. Staying an extra hour at work at the end of the day may not be the most effective way to manage your time. You may feel resentful about being in work after hours. You’re also likely to be less productive and frustrated about how little you’re achieving, which will compound your stress.
Have a lunch break
Many people work through their lunch break to gain an extra hour at work, but this can be counter-productive. As a general rule, taking at least 30 minutes for lunch will help you to be more effective in the afternoon. A break is an opportunity to relax and think of something other than work. Go for a walk , get some fresh air. You’ll come back re-energised, with a new set of eyes and renewed focus. Planning your day with a midday break will also help you to break up your work.
Prioritise important tasks
- Tasks can be grouped in four categories:
- urgent and important
- not urgent but important
- urgent but not important
- neither urgent nor important
People with good time management create time to concentrate on non-urgent, important activities. By so doing, they minimise the chances of activities ever becoming urgent and important.
Practise the 3 Ds
Priorities what you do and when you do it by practicing the 3 Ds
- Do – urgent things that have to be done by you
- Delegate- things you can pass to others
- Defer- things you can do later
Let me know if you’re finding these tips useful and if you have any more to add please let me know by commenting on the box below!
Thanks,
Ali B – Impact Candidate Care Team
