Several months ago I wrote a blog on time management however I recently moved and in the process had to make sure I managed my time appropriately which lead me to further explore the importance of time management on our well-being. I was balancing supporting clients, self-care as well as all the nuances involved when you move. We are all balancing many things in our everyday lives and one of the most important things to learn is time management. When we don’t manage our time efficiently or appropriately it usually causes us undue stress. As you can see we all need time management skills in our lives, whether it’s in our personal or professional lives, or both.
Being effective with your time helps you get much more accomplished in your life. We tend to make time for things that are important to us. When you manage your time successfully you create space in your life for the things and people that are important. Think about a significant experience in your life whether it was related to something with your family, relationship, job, learning a new skill or perhaps some kind of a craft you learned, perhaps you studied a foreign language, or raised a family. Anything in your life that was significant and important to you. Think about what that entailed. It took time right? It took time and dedication, and it was worth it. It is important to invest time wisely and with good organization around the things in your life that really matter.
How many people say they don’t have enough time for something? Well I think if we really manage our time well we do find time for things that are important to us. How are you doing in managing your day? Just like you have a relationship with food and the things you eat in your life you also have a relationship with time. So if you can get your relationship with time a little more settled you will have a better day.
Top tips for managing your time well?
1) Use a planner – paper, electronic or you can use a computer.
2) Make some categories of time in your calendar.
3) Figure out what projects you need to accomplish in your life. Are you wanting to read a new book, plan a staycation, etc.? If so, what will that project entail? Make projects for all the things that are important to you.
4) Organize things by projects. First decide what are the projects you will invest your time in. What are the steps within that project?
5) Decide in which order things should occur and organize task list for project.
More Helpful Time Management Tips:
Distinguish Wants From Needs
Time management often comes down to two basic fundamental concepts: what needs to be done versus what you want to get done. Learning how to structure your day between needs and wants can often help clear up time to get things done that you want to do. Make a list of daily activities that are required for you to do, like eating, going to work and taking your kids to school. Then make a list of things you want to do, like meditating, listening to music and working out.
Prioritize Needs By Making a List
Making lists of your daily activities can be very helpful in keeping you on track and ensuring that you do everything that you need to get done. Studies have shown that individuals who create lists are more likely to feel satisfied at the end of the day because they have kept their goals firmly in sight. Consider keeping a master list in your house if you do not want to carry around a list, and mark items off the list to give you a feeling of completion.
Some Things Take Longer Than Expected
One of the biggest aspects of time management is knowing how long it will take to finish a certain task. Often individuals are unsure of how to judge the amount of time it will take to finish a project. They then find themselves behind on other things throughout the day because of that misstep. Bear in mind that unavoidable things will happen, so always give yourself a few extra minutes in any given activity in case unavoidable factors keep you in an activity longer than you might suspect.
Eliminate Unnecessary Activities
Many things throughout our days end up eating time, and we sometimes can’t seem to figure out where the day went. Take note of activities that seem to lend themselves to wasting your time. Dragging your feet when getting ready in the morning or browsing for too long at the grocery store might leave other more enjoyable activities shortchanged later in the day. Notice when you are spending too much unnecessary time on an activity. Perhaps you should even set aside some time in your day to simply waste time if this is a tendency for you.
Ask for Help
Whether at work or at home, people with time management skills often realize the importance of delegating tasks. Individuals who believe they have to do everything themselves and don’t feel comfortable releasing responsibility to others often feel more stress and have less free time to do things they want to do. Delegate your responsibilities to people you trust at work and home to get a firm grasp on the time spent in your day so you can have more time to relax and do enjoyable activities.