6 Tips For Better Time Management
6 Simple Tips For Better Time Management
Over
the past five years, I’ve become busy. Really busy. I manage a large
business, work well over 40 hours per week, sustain a daily Ashtanga
Yoga practice, maintain a home and small property with my fiance, AND I
like to eat well AND have a social life. I’ve often thought of cutting
things out. Maybe I should get a different job, or cut back on yoga, or move into a smaller house or apartment.
But
the thing is, I don’t want to. Why should I have to give up things in
my life just because there aren’t enough hours in the day?
I’ll
be honest; I used to get exceedingly overwhelmed, almost to the point
of burnout. I would be waist deep in things I needed to get done that
I'd miss out on things I love to do, time with my fiancé, and sleep. So
last year, I began experimenting with ways to manage my time. Some
things worked well, and some things were epic failures. I want to share
what works well for me, so that you can make it to your next yoga class
or actually enjoy a happy hour with friends!
1. Use a calendar and keep it up to date.
Whether
it's an old-fashioned paper one, or a fancy one with bells and whistles
in your phone, use it. Most electronic calendars allow you to color
code, make multiple calendars in one, share events, and sync up with all
of your devices. Schedule appointments for yourself, such as: grocery
shopping, cleaning, yoga/gym time, cooking, computer time, etc. This will give you a snapshot of what you need to get done.
2. Make lists.
Every
evening before I get ready for bed, I quickly jot down the things I
need to get done the next day. Add things to the list during the day and
make sure to cross things off as you complete them.
3. Prepare, prepare, prepare.
Pick
one or two times per week when you prepare items for something you
might need during the same week. For example, if you go grocery
shopping, cut up all of your vegetables, or portion out food into
containers right after shopping. This will save you tons of time when
you're ready to make meals. Some grocery stores will even cut up fruits
and veggies to your liking for a modest fee.
4. Limit your time online.
How
often to we get sucked into an internet time warp? Answer: very often.
Determine when and how much time per day you need to be online for
personal reasons outside of work. If you need to, schedule your internet
time in your calendar, and if you’re really bad (like me) set a timer
for your allotted time and don’t let yourself go beyond it!
5. Ask for help.
I
recruit my fiancé to help out with chores around the house and reach
out for support at work when my assignments become unmanageable. People
are usually more than willing to help out, but just be sure to say thank
you. Don’t take advantage of the extra hand, and be ready to return the
favor in the future!
6. Learn to say no.
This
is perhaps the hardest of the six. Saying yes to everything and
overcommitting yourself will lead to burnout. Make sure before agreeing
to any event, meeting, or appointment you check your calendar to make
sure you're available.
Photo Credit: Shutterstock.com
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