When you are feeling like there are not enough hours in the day, it may be a good idea to focus on managing your time more effectively. To start off, it is essential that you take a moment in the morning or night before to plan the day ahead of you. Compiling a to-do list will allow you to jump start your day by prioritizing your most important tasks to start at the top of the list. A very practical idea may be to carry around a planner and scheduler throughout the day, physically or on your Blackberry or iPhone, checking items off your to-do list while being mindful of the time it takes for each activity to be accomplished.
It may be hard to hear this, but it is important to say no to some tasks that are not crucial. It will be easier to eliminate these nonessential tasks once you have made your to-do list in prioritizing order.
Next, do not try to take on all tasks by yourself. Do not be afraid to delegate tasks to others. This will allow you the focus to perform quality work, rather than just rushing to accomplish a slew of tasks.
Break your large tasks into smaller ones. It is easy to get intimidated by a difficult project or chore, but when it is broken down, you can check off each new, smaller task much easier. This will contribute to an overall feeling of accomplishment. It may even be a good idea to work on a task that you are not looking forward to for ten minutes or so each day. That way, it will still get accomplished without feeling very overwhelming.
A great tool to observe how you are spending your time is to write down everything you do for three days in a journal or diary. See if you have any free time that could be better spent doing something more productive. Look for ways to spend time doing things you want to do, like incorporating seemingly mundane tasks like washing your car into a family adventure of a water fight.
A very important tip to better manage your time is to reduce distractions. If you need to finish an important task, turn off your phone, e-mail, and other diversions. This goes along with making sure the time set aside for work and relaxation are used for those exact purposes. Make sleep a priority, along with a healthy diet, and routine exercise. If you have a solid base of those essentials, you will be able to perform better in other areas of your life.
If you have the opportunity to do so, take a time management course. Do some research to see if your community offers a course. And finally, take a break if you need one! Everyone needs a vacation, and you will feel refreshed and re-energized once you return to your tasks and responsibilities.
Catherine oversees UBF's daily operations and client retention strategy. She has a background in mathematics, economics, and human resources. In her spare time, she enjoys spending time with her family, taking the dog on long walks, and caring for a small and unfruitful garden.