Most Americans find themselves wishing they had more time to get everything done. Of course, while it’s impossible to create a 25th hour for the day or an 8th day for the week, what can be done is make the most of the time that we do have, with the result of reducing stress and accomplishing more. If any of the following situations sound familiar, you may benefit from the following time management techniques:
- Missing deadlines, feelings of constant rushing
- Indecision about taking action, time spent on unproductive activity
- Feeling anxious, fatigued or listless
- Not enough time for family, friends or for things that you like to do
- Facing the day without plans or goals, feeling distracted from the essential things
Effective time management is a gift you give yourself, a gift of feeling more in control of your life. This is because “time management” is really “self-management,” meaning spending less time in nonproductive ways that leave you feeling rushed and frustrated and putting more time to use on what you truly value.
Maybe you will even “find” time in your schedule for relaxation! The following are a sampling of tips and strategies for improving your mastery of time management.
Set priorities and establish goals: What are the significant things in your life? How would you rank them? With your priorities established, you can now set goals that match them. Goals are most effective when they are organized daily, weekly, monthly and annually. For example, if a priority is to remain physically healthy, a goal can be to lose a certain number of pounds within one year, with shorter-term goals of exercising four times per week for thirty minutes.
Increase productive activities: Learn how to distinguish between activity (busy work) and productivity (something that accomplishes a goal) and how to direct your actions toward productivity. Make a “To Do” list, categorize your activities under A, B and C priorities and concentrate your energies first on the A list, then B, then C.
Decrease time wasters: Don’t expect to do everything yourself. Learn to politely and firmly say “no” at times based on your priorities and goals. Delegate tasks when possible. Handle each piece of paper, mail or email only once, i.e., respond to or dispose of it. Keep routinely used items in the same place so they can be located when needed. Group similar mundane tasks (reading/responding to mail, making phone calls, etc.,) and schedule specific times to do them on a daily/weekly basis.
Source: State of Michigan; SupportLinc