Never underestimate what you can do when you learn how to properly manage your time. Time management is something that is elusive to most people, yet it is achievable once you put your mind to it. The way to go about it is by appreciating that time is precious and that there are ways of effectively planning your activities so that you maximise on the time you have.
How to effectively manage time
- Set smart goals: You can only properly manage your time once you have clearly defined your goals and known what you want to do. Are you working on a project? It does not have to be a huge project. It can even be something as simple as cleaning your house. As long as you have a goal on what you want to achieve, you can think of time management.
- Learn to say no: One of the reasons most people find it hard to manage their time is because they get distracted by other people. If you have planned your activities and someone asks you to do something for them, feel free to say no. For instance, if someone is asking you to join them for a drink and you had not planned for it, politely tell them that you had other activities planned.
- Make a list: If you always find yourself getting distracted and confused when you are trying to work, it is time for you to make a list. You can have it online and off the net and cross out what you have achieved. Having a list gives you a sense of responsibility and you get a sense of accomplishment when you finally complete all the activities in your list.
- Switch off the television and social media: You will be surprised at how much time you spend on social media platforms and television streaming services. They take up most of your time, and before you know it, you have spent hours on Facebook, twitter and Instagram while your work remains undone. Switch them off and get to work.
- Learn to delegate: Resist the temptation to do everything by yourself unless you have to. Learn to delegate by identifying people who can help you out. Even when you are working on projects at home, you can get your children to help you out and this reduces the amount of time you will have to spend on any activity.
- Find inspiration: There will be times when you will feel uninspired to embark on any project. When such sluggishness strikes, look for inspiration from other places. Looking at different house decorations can inspire you to embark on your own project.
- Track time: Do you know how much time you spend doing productive activities? It is time for you to start tracking your work so that you can know what activity consumes most of your time. There are apps that you can download to help with tracking of time.
Always remember to create some time for yourself and relax so that you do not get overwhelmed.
