“Time is what we want most, but what we use worst.” -William Penn
Tick tock…tick tock… the clock is ticking and time is flying by! Are you confident you’re using your time effectively for your day-to-day tasks?
The sheer fact is that most of us would answer, “NO”.
In our society, people have become hyper-productive and typically THINK they’re very efficient (and effective) workers. Unfortunately, multi-tasking is your worst enemy when you’re struggling to use your time effectively.
We recently read an article where author Jordan Bates instructed readers to “Work Smarter, Not Harder”. We’ve summarized the best of his advice to provide you with 10 simple steps to help you find the time you only THOUGHT you lost.
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WRITE A LIST– The golden rule of time management is, WRITE.A.LIST. Buy yourself a calendar. Each day before you settle into your work routine, be sure to write down each task that NEEDS your attention.
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Prioritize your Tasks– Take time to rearrange your tasks in order of importance and re-image each task to its simplest form.
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You Can Say “No”– Don’t take on more than you can handle. Iit’s okay from time to time to help peers in need. Just remember that it’s okay to be selfish and complete your priorities first.
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Don’t Multi-Task– Focus on the task at hand and devote 100% of your time and energy on one task at a time.
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Set Aside E-mails– E-mails can be very important, but don’t refresh your inbox every five minutes. Devote a specified time to check your e-mails and never more than five times a day.
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Make the Most of Your Waiting Time– Whether you’re waiting at your doctor’s appointment or walking on the treadmill, make your time useful. Keep yourself up-to-date by reading articles about your industry.
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Take a Break– Go outside in-between tasks and take that much-needed breath of fresh air. This will help you stay motivated and focused.
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Make a Habit– Habits are habitual. If you continue to repeat your time management skills it will become routine. Eventually, you’ll be able to complete all of your tasks without feeling overwhelmed.
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Don’t Bother– Don’t waste your time with the things that don’t matter. If it isn’t adding value to your life, don’t bother with it. Do fewer things that create more value, rather than more things that are mostly hollow.
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ENJOY– Don’t get caught up in the workforce frenzy. If you manage your time wisely you will learn how to enjoy what you’re doing.
See more here.
