Fine-Tune Your Time Management Skills with These Tips

There are 24 hours in every day, but only so many of them are usable. 

But how do you know you’re getting the most out of them? 

Time management is a very important set of skills to help use your waking portion of those hours in the best possible way, both at work and at home. 

Here are some tips for finding more hours in your day:

1. Think ahead.

Maybe this sounds a little like an oversimplification, but it’s true: If you think about what you need to do in a day and write it down, you’re more likely to get everything accomplished. It’s even better if you write your to-do list for the next day as soon as you get home from work as it allows your brain to start putting things into categories and working out the best attack method to get your tasks completed.

2. Budget your time, starting by creating a time audit.

Most of us have no idea how much time we actually spend on certain tasks. So take a day or two and write down everything — every trip to the water cooler, every check of social media, every conversation with a coworker. Don’t just estimate these things, really look at the time when everything begins and ends. Some apps can help with this if you rely on your phone for messages, emails, etc. during the day. Once you have this figured out, set yourself deadlines for tasks, and stick to them. Focused, deliberate work intervals can really help keep the brain sharp and on task.

3. Prioritize, prioritize, prioritize.

As the day goes on, occasionally, things will come up that will need to be an immediate focus of your attention than others. Complete that task, then go back and look at your to-do list to figure out what’s the absolute most important thing to do next. Be honest about what’s a Must Do Now and what’s a Can Do Tomorrow.

4. Don’t multitask.

We’re told so often that multitasking is an art form and a skill worth having. But is it? Juggling several projects means your attention is divided. Focusing on one thing at a time puts all your effort in one place and will likely help you accomplish projects faster.

5. Take care of yourself.

This is your time — all the hours of a day are your hours in your day. Make sure you’re eating, drinking enough water, getting exercise, and taking breaks. You’re going to feel better, and you’re less likely to be rushed, stressed, or feel resentful if you schedule in a little “me time” every day to reset. If you don’t prioritize yourself and your health, no one else will! And if it’s on your to-do list, you’re going to feel compelled to make sure it happens.

Eventually, all of these suggestions will become habits. Habits are just good practices that become second nature. Before long, you’ll wonder how you ever managed to get anything done at all! 

For more advice, contact Debbie’s Staffing!

For more suggestions on how to get the most out of your workday, contact Debbie’s Staffing. We’re ready to provide good, solid advice to keep you happy, healthy, productive, and on the job!