The Top 5 Ways To Manage Your Time
With the busy schedules that have become a norm in society, it’s crucial that you find ways that help you personally manage time. Managing your time can give you the opportunity for more free time and a better quality of life. Here are the top 5 ways to manage time!
1. One Task At A Time
When you have multiple things on your to-do list, it’s easy to become overwhelmed. Focusing on only one task will help you manage time by increasing productivity and concentration.
It is known that when you focus on one piece of work, you will have a better sense of concentration. For example, if there are multiple tests that you need to study for, you will be more productive if you focus on just one test to study for at a time. Studying for multiple tests interchangeably may create confusion and frustration.
As a result of one task at a time and increased concentration, you will see your productivity increase. Giving your full, undivided attention to just one task will make your time seem more worthwhile.
Picking one task at a time can be easier if there is a list made. For example, create a list of all that needs to be done today, this week, this month, this year, etc., and put them from most to least important. A good way to stay on track with this is by investing in an organized planner.
2. Create Built-In Breaks
When you are in the zone while completing work, it can be difficult to remember break times. Whether you are doing career work or school work, a built-in break has many positive impacts.
Creating built-in breaks will give you a chance to recharge. This time to recharge will result in an increase in your creativity and a decrease in stress levels.
What to do while on a break is up to you! Each individual has their own niche of what it takes to turn off their brain and find some new energy. For some people, this break may look like doing some quick stretches or doing a quick meditation by their workstations.
For others, needing to physically get away from their workstation is needed. If you are this type of person, go for a walk, grab a quick snack, or go on a quick drive to a local coffee shop.
3. Find Your Best Work Hours
If your schedule allows it, find those hours that you have the most efficiency. Everyone has their own high-energy times! Finding those best times may come with some trial and error.
If you don’t know what your high-energy times are, there are ways that you can figure this out. One way to do this is by tracking your own work hours for several days. Write down the times that you are working and how long you were able to effectively concentrate on your tasks. Once this is completed, look for those hours where you felt most motivated and had the most productivity.
Once you have found those high-energy times, work your schedule around those hours. For example, if you work best in the morning, wake up early and complete your work. It is also important that you plan other errands to be completed in the afternoon and evening.
If you work best in the afternoon and evening, adjust your schedule to where you can complete all other errands in the morning. This will ensure that you can manage time and be efficient.
4. Create A Clean & Quiet Workspace
Having a clean and quiet workspace will help alleviate distractions and increase productivity. Without unnecessary clutter, you are less likely to experience negative emotions.
There has been a correlation between cluttered and loud workspaces with the development of anxiety and stress. Your workflow and productivity levels are negatively impacted by disorganization and noise.
Creating a clean and quiet workspace can be fun! There are many ways that you can incorporate organization into your workspace. Workspace desks are not hard to come by. Larger desks, such as the Fortson L-Shape Desk can give you the optimal amount of space to have a clean workspace. Of course, this all depends on the amount of space that you have available for you to do your work!
If you have a limited amount of space, invest in a small work desk. Many work desks are designed for situations such as this. Wayfair’s Wall Mounted Table creates an organized workspace only when it is needed. The fold-up design of this desk makes it perfect for those with small spaces that still desire a clean and quiet workspace.
If you can’t seem to find a desk that works for your lifestyle, purchase a backpack that is designed for organization. The Ytonet Travel Backpack is a great example. This backpack has a laptop pocket and many other storage compartments. Whether you are going to unpack your work in your bedroom, a kitchen table, a coffee shop, or a library, having your work organized and ready in a backpack will help you manage time.
5. Bring Work With You
Throughout the day, there are bound to be times when you are waiting or on some sort of break. If there are moments when you are pointlessly scrolling on your phone as well, do some work instead and manage time effectively. This may be the optimal time to increase your productivity times 10 and get work done!
This is a great tip if you understand your mental wellness. As stated above, taking breaks will improve your time management drastically! Bringing your work with you doesn’t mean that you need to constantly be doing work and feeling guilty when you aren’t!
This tip may be for you if you have a lot of waiting time in your daily schedule. Examples of when you might be able to do work are the times between classes, while waiting for an appointment, or while riding in a car. Bringing your work with you will help you manage time and be productive.
