Tips For Managing Time Effectively

Time passes quickly, as in 24 hours can slip away in a blink of an eye. As time flies, do you feel like having more tasks and projects creeping on hand and deadlines coming in than you have time to do them?

But why does it seem that some people can get the most out of every minute of the day? The simple answer is time management. They know how to manage their time which improves their productivity. Some people struggle with managing their time during work that often leads to them knocking off late.

Believe it or not, time management is a skill that everyone can master. To get you started, here are 5 tips to help you become a pro in managing your time.

1. Set a time limit
   
   

Setting a time limit for each task on hand is a great way to start. It reduces procrastination and helps you to focus better. Adding a buffer time between tasks is helpful, especially if you did not complete your task on time. In this case, you can continue working on it without eating into the time reserved for another task.

2. Plan ahead
   
   

Planning is crucial as it reframes you on what you need to complete for the day. Without a plan, there is a higher tendency for you to wander off from what is important, and you tend to end up working on trivial matters instead. Before work ends, spend the last 15 minutes listing down the most important tasks ranked by their urgency for tomorrow. When you wake up the next day, spend another 15 minutes ranking the tasks based on their urgency level.

3. Get Organized
   
   

Some of us are guilty of misplacing saved documents on our computers, and we end up spending a substantial amount of time looking for them, hence wasting valuable time. You can start by saving these documents into their respective folders and at places where it is easily accessible such as the Desktop. That way, when you need the documents, you instantly know where to look for them.

4. Do similar tasks together
   
   

When we have similar tasks, set a time and do them together. It is not advisable, for instance, to be attending a meeting and writing up a proposal throughout the day. The reason being is that different types of works require different types of thinking. Doing similar tasks together enables our brain to avoid switching gear constantly and thus reduces the time needed for re-orientation.

5. Don’t be afraid to say “No”
   
   

Who would want to intentionally upset anyone? No one. But when your plate is full, learn to then decline to help your colleague on a task until you are done with yours or you have spare time. What better way to help others than by helping yourself first, that way, you can ensure that nothing is compromised on your end.

Having the right attitude and commitment to your goals leads to effective time management. Who knows the next time you check your wristwatch you have mastered the art of managing your time?

These are some ways on how to become better time managers. Have you got some tips? We would like to hear it! Be sure to tag us on our social media @augustbergofficial when you are sharing them!