8 Tips for Better Time Management

Struggling with time management? Are you always wishing for more hours in the day?  Wish you had a better system for time management?  Keep reading for my 8 tips!

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We all have 24 hours in a day, and we probably ALL have long to-do lists and wish lists that we would like to accomplish (I know I do!).  I know time management is a big topic when it comes to starting your own business, working a business, or even managing a hectic lifestyle.  

But, it’s what we DO with those 24 hours that makes a difference.  I hear many, many people in my life say things like “I don’t have time for everything I need to do,” “I’m super busy,” or “I need 50 hours in each day in order to get done everything I need to.”  Does that sound familiar?  I know I often say that I need more hours in the day to accomplish everything that I need and want to.  

How are we really spending our time?  How much time do we waste on social media  and other distractions?  That is the key to time management.  Cut down on wasted time.  If you “need” social media (i.e. Scrolling FB to get caught up on friends/family’s life), there could still be room for it.  But, does this situation sound familiar?

“I have 10 minutes, let’s see what’s going on on FB.” Then, FB leads you to Instagram, which leads to this website, which leads to another, and down the rabbit hole you go.  Next thing you know, it’s been an hour or longer and you are now late for your next event.

Does that sound like you?!  If so, have no fear.  I have 8 tips to get the most out of your time and be as productive as possible.  

TIPS

1. Discover how much time you are actually wasting.  In a survey by salary.com, of the 89% of the respondents 31% report wasting 30 minutes a day and 31% wastes about an hour every day.  Additionally, 16% wastes 2 hours, 6% wastes 3 hours and 4% wastes 4 or more hours every day.  There are time tracking worksheets and apps that you can use to get a good picture of exactly how you are using (or wasting) your time.
2. Create time management goals in order to change your behavior, and implement that plan.  Remember, we can’t change how many hours are in a day, but we can change our behavior of how we USE those 24 hours.  Create some SMART goals (have you downloaded my template yet? If not, you can do so below) and figure out a plan to implement.  Also, you have to realize that you can’t do it all.  Sometimes you will have to say ‘no’ or delegate tasks that you just can’t get to. 
3. PRIORITIZE, PRIORITIZE, PRIORITIZE!!  Making to-do lists are my way of staying on track.  One way to make better to-do lists, is to prioritize the order in which tasks are completed.  Put your most important tasks at the top; the things that you HAVE to get done, that day.  Then, as the list progresses, the least important tasks are at the bottom.  Those are the tasks that you need to get done, but would be okay with not getting done that particular day.  Again, realize that you cannot do it all and some tasks will have to wait for another time.
4. The next tip piggybacks off the last time, which is setting time limits for the tasks.  Batching similar tasks together and setting a time limit for it helps ensure that distractions are minimized and the task(s) gets completed.  In the same regard, be sure to leave some wiggle room between the tasks to catch your breath.  Leaving 5-10 minutes between bigger tasks can help keep your mindset focused and give you some time to breath.  (Perhaps implement a 5 minute meditation during this time?)
5. Use time management tools.  Like stated previously, there are trackers, software, and apps that help you keep track of tasks, and setting time limits/deadlines to get those tasks completed.  Using a day-timer to alert you when one time limit is up is beneficial so you don’t have to waste time of looking at a clock and keeping track of your time.  You set a timer, and you are done.  Also, if you are scrolling social media, you can set a timer to alert you when the allotted time is completed.
6. Similar to using management tools, the next tip is to create a system/routine/habit that promotes your goals.  Find a system that works for you and helps you progress toward your goals.  Personally, I use my bullet journal to keep everything organized, and I prioritize my tasks on a daily basis with what I need to get done first, second, and so on.  Another system that I have used (and talked about) in the past is Chalene Johnson’s SmartLife Push Journal.  If you are interested in learning more, you can check out my post on it here (and I mention them over in my October, November, and December goals posts, or head to her website. (Just for the record, I do NOT get any type of compensation for promoting her journaling system.  I just think it is a great system and will teach you how to analyze key areas of your life and develop goals to get you where you want to be.)
7. Piggybacking off that tip is my next one.  You have got to stay organized.  No matter how you do it, a journaling system, app(s) on your phone, post it notes everywhere, or something else, you have to stay organized.  So much time is wasted by looking for something you need, tools you need, or information you may need.  If you stay organized, you know exactly where to look.  My two favorites, like stated above, is my bullet journal and SmartLife Push Journal.  I have been between these two systems for awhile.  Another way is using digital software or apps on your phone.  If I am out somewhere, I will use my Notes App and Reminder App to record things that I think of.  Then, once I get back home, or to my office, I will take the tasks and notes from my phone and put them in my journaling system.
8. Finally, my last tip, is to not waste time.  With meetings and appointments in abundance, there is not doubt that you will have to wait for another human.  Instead of wasting that time scrolling social media, use it to get some work done.  With the technology available these days, we can work from anywhere.  Utilize sharing software, like Google Drive or Microsoft OneDrive/Share Drive to work on documents from any device, anywhere.  Need to make a shopping list? Do it on your phone in the Notes App.  Whether its business/work or personal, there are things to work on while waiting.

What have I done?

I have deleted all my games from my phone, and started unfollowing people that I did not find valuable.  No offense to my friends and family, on FB we are still friends and I will see your news feed, but on IG and Snapchat, if you are not bringing valuable content to me, I unfollowed you.  This might sound harsh or extreme, but if I want to get my goals accomplished, I will limit my distractions.  It is not that I don’t care, because I do, it's just that I need to limit my distractions.  

One bonus tip:

Always make time for self-care.  Whether this self-care is scrolling social media (on a time limit), exercising, taking a bath, or meditating, if you do not take care of you, you will not be your best to be as productive as possible.  There is a saying that “You can’t pour from an empty cup.”  If you do not take care of you, you will not reach your goals.  Self-care is a must.

I hope these tips will help you reach your goals and crush life!  As always, leave me some feedback either here, below this post, or on any of my social media platforms! (FB/IG/TW @wheellifeblog and Snapchat @megsh8).  I would love to hear from you and what I can do to help.

 

Let’s Grow & Grind!

Megs