Learning to manage your time better is a long journey but one that is totally worth it. Being able to reclaim your time so that you can spend more of your time how you really want to is so life changing. Which is why we are chatting about ways that you can manage your time better so you can reclaim your time. And do what you want with that extra time! If this sounds appealing to you then make sure to keep reading for these time management tips. Tips that will help you save time this year!
Before we get into these though I do want to quickly chat a bit more about the benefits and importance of time management. And how it can help better your life and days.
The reasons time management is so important:
- Better time management is one of the main things you can do to boost productivity. And being more productive allows you to do more of what you want to do in your days.
- It can decrease the stress you feel in your life. When you stay on top of things and manage your time then there is less opportunities for stress to take over your days.
- Having better time management skills can help you have more time for the things you love!
- Helps you make sure you hit deadlines and goals in time. Which is self explanatory as to why that is so helpful for bettering your life and saving you time.
- Improved time management skills go hand in hand with improved self discipline.
So now that we have chatted about the benefits of time management let’s get into these time management tips to help you save time this year.
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Time Management Tips To Help You Save Time This Year
How to start saving time:
Tip 1: Start time logging.
This is the first tip because it is so helpful for learning where your time is going and where you have opportunities in your days to save time and reclaim your days.
Time logging is very simple. It just means at the end of every half hour or hour you log what you completed in that time frame. Generally I find that hourly works the best. Also because then you can use an hourly planner (like this one) for doing the time log.
I find it to be so helpful to learn the skill of time logging for two reasons:
Reason 1: it gives you an idea of where your time is going. If you feel like your days are flying by and you aren’t accomplishing enough it can be incredibly helpful to do a time log every day for a week.
Reason 2: it keeps you on track and holds you accountable. When you are aware of what you are completing it can make sure that you know what you have finished so you can plan to get everything you need to get done actually done that day.
Tip 2: Don’t fall for distractions.
Giving into the distractions around you is the “easiest” way to procrastinate. You can just glance down at your phone and have hours of distractions easily available to help you procrastinate.
To train yourself to never fall for distractions you have to start by setting yourself up for success. Take the necessary precautions to make your work area distraction free (and yes that includes putting away/turning off your cell phone).
I have a whole guide here on minimizing distractions and making a better work environment so you don’t procrastinate.
Tip 3: Take strategic short breaks throughout the day.
This may seem like it’s feeding procrastination but it’s not actually! It actually is a great way to keep your mind on track and ultimately help you manage your time better.
I have a whole guide on taking breaks here but in a nutshell when you take strategically timed and planned for breaks throughout your day you actually can help yourself be refreshed and recharged. Which ultimately leads to improved productivity each day.
It also helps you avoid feelings of burn out and declining mental wellness. Which you don’t want for a lot of reasons of course including that if you get to feeling burnt out you won’t be productive and working towards your dreams. Balance is important in your life and taking strategic breaks is an amazing way to ensure you have balance while still helping with improving your productivity.
Tip 4: Learn to prioritize.
Prioritization is essential for taking control of your time and ensuring you are able to assign the right amount of time to the right tasks. When you prioritize the tasks that need to get done you encourage yourself to stay efficient and it can help stop you having to frantically complete tasks to reach a deadline.
It will take time and effort to really learn the skills necessary to prioritize your days without really focusing on it but eventually it will start to become second nature.
Some additional resources to start with this are Learn to Prioritize: Say No and Learn To Prioritize: Delegation.
Tip 5: Learn how to write efficient to do lists.
Having a solid ideas of what and when things need to be accomplished before you even start is so helpful for not procrastinating.
It’s easy to convince yourself that things can be dealt with later. But if you have it written on list that HAS to be dealt with that day/week/month etc. then you are way less likely to push it off.
To-do lists sound really basic but there are tips and tricks you can take for writing efficient to do lists that help you avoid procrastinating and stay on top of deadlines.
*Bonus tip: using a cute to do list notepad can bring you a little extra joy and I highly recommend it.
Tip 6: Stop multitasking!
Multitasking can seem like a great way to get more done but don’t fall for it!
Multitasking actually makes you take longer to accomplish both tasks compared to if you completed one at a time. Think about it- your brain has to constantly switch gears when you are multitasking which takes time even if it’s just seconds, and those seconds add up quickly.
Multitasking also makes it more likely that you will make a mistake while you’re completing the tasks. Set yourself up for a procrastination free and mistake free day by accomplishing one task at a time.
Tip 7: Use down time efficiently
This is another skill that I annoyingly don’t stop talking about.
Finding time where you aren’t being productive but also aren’t relaxing or spending time with family/friends are time holes and using them more efficiently can turn your day around!
One of the biggest down time holes that can suck away potentially useful time is your commute. For majority of people it is unavoidable but there are tons of ways that you can use that time to improve your day. I wrote up a whole list of ideas of what you can do to make your commute time more productive.
Korra-Shay
If you enjoyed this article on Time Management Tips To Help You Save Time This Year then you probably (hopefully!) will find these articles helpful as well:
- How To Always Stay Productive And Efficient
- How To Celebrate Achieving Your Goals and Resolutions
- Tips For Living A Simplified Life In Spring 2023
- How To Reset At The Beginning Of The Month
- 5 Habits To Help You Be More Organized and Put Together
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