For the last few weeks my time management has been up to nuggets. My daughter moved in with us, and I have not been able to focus completely the way I should. Perhaps I have just become lazy after my holiday but it is now taking it's toll and If I don't get myself into gear everything that I've worked so hard for might just go up in smoke.
I've decided to do a post about time management as this will help me in the long run, and it is the first step to becoming me again. I have always been very particular about my work but the last few weeks I felt demotivated and because I don't have a proper schedule to work from I just postpone the work till the next day and clearly this is not working! The less work I do, the less I want to do, and procrastination is at top of my list these days. I have now come to a point where I actually feel guilty because I don't work like I used to work. So I am doing this post today to change my own mind.
Time management is an skill that needs to be taught and practiced so that the most work can be done in the shortest time. It is important to use your time effectively to complete a task successfully. Life is full of surprises and it is often difficult to work according to a schedule because we also have other responsibilities and life really gets in the way.
It is important to focus on one specific task at a time. Even though you might have a lot on your plate, there needs to be effective time management so that all your tasks can be completed in due time. Unfortunately, there are only so many hours in a day and if you are able to work out a schedule to work from AND STICK TO IT, then the battle is halfway won.
It is important to prioritize your tasks and to write everything down, so that you can see on paper what needs to be done. If you are given a specific time to complete a task it is important to start as quickly as possible, but remember Rome wasn’t built in one day, so you might not be able to complete the task in one session. (I've tried it and failed miserably)
Procrastination is also not a good way to start. It takes A LOT of self discipline to focus on one specific thing at a time, but with the right skills you should be able to handle your time more effectively.
Here are some tips for effective time management to complete a specific task:
1. Make sure that you know exactly what is expected from you. You don't have time to waste on trying to figure out what you are supposed to do. Make sure you know exactly what you have to do before you start.
2. Make a list of things to complete for this specific task. If you know exactly how much work it’s going to be, then you should be able to prioritize and divide the task into different sessions.
3. You also don’t want to rush to complete a task and at the end of the day the work is not up to standard. We don’t complete a task, just to have it complete. You have to be proud of your own work and you want to impress someone with your skills.
4. Make sure you work according to your schedule and complete each part of the task effectively. Work in an environment where there are no distractions and where you can focus without interruptions.
5. Switch off you cell phone if possible and make sure that you are not thirsty or hungry.
6. Take efficient breaks in between your working time. Take a short five-minute break and try to go outside to get a breath of fresh air. Do not go and do something else in between because you will struggle to get back to work. After your break you should be able to continue straight where you left off.
7. Leave enough time after the completion of your task to work through it again to check for any errors. If you focused for short periods of time there should not be a lot of mistakes to fix.
Just remember the following:
Life is all about balance. All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy, so remember even though your work is important, it is also very important that you have a proper balance in your life.
There is a time to work and there is a time to play. Divide your time effectively so you still have time for the more important things in life.
It is important to work hard, but it is also important to look after yourself!
