21 tips for tenacious time management
Look, you’re either working smart or you’re wasting your time. And since time is literally the most precious commodity anyone possesses, wasting it isn’t the wisest thing to do, is it? I mean, if I asked you, “Hey, do you want to lose 500 days on Facebook?” would you ever say yes? Yet people have done exactly that. And when I say 500 days, I mean 500 24-hour days.
Oh.
That’s why it’s so important to become an expert at managing your time, so you can spend more time having the life you want instead of trying to build the life you want. expect have someday In other words, work smart and you’ll reach your goals much faster.
You may find that my 21 time management tips below are a bit opinionated. But hey, I’m not here to make you feel good, I’m here to see if I can propel you toward higher productivity and stellar success.
1. Do the important things first. That is firstprior to anything plus. As in, FIRST. Yes, it is basic. It’s also amazing how many people check their email and their social media and read the newspaper and check YouTube and so on before doing the important things, which as a result, usually don’t get done.
2. Say “no.” Much.
3. Sleep until you finish sleeping. For most people this is 7.5 hours. Skimping on sleep means you won’t be as productive the next day. You may think that by staying up late or getting up early, you’re taking a few extra hours to get some work done, but your productivity will suffer and your creativity and decision-making will be hampered.
4. Focus. Hears! I said approach. Imagine that you are hypnotized and can only focus on the task at hand. Nothing else exists, including your email.
5. Start early. Start work early in the day and start projects well before they are due. Procrastination will kill your ambitions, your dreams and your goals. Procrastination is your sworn enemy. Treat it as such.
6. Details? We don’t need stinky details. Do it and take him out the door. If you seek perfection, you aim for failure.
7. Turn your most important tasks into clothes. If they are as important as brushing your teeth and combing your hair, then make them a priority.
8. Pump up the TV. Crack the game console and stop wasting time on the internet. No, you don’t need to watch that cute kitty compilation video. Back to work.
9. Set time limits and deadlines. Live for them. Die for them. Work expands to fill the allotted time, so only allocate what you need and no more.
10. Take a walk. When you finish one task, take a short walk before starting the next one. It will clear your head.
11. Don’t worry about your 46-item to-do list. Focus on one thing at a time and only one thing. Work on it until it’s done. Breathe.
12. Exercise and eat like a nobody. You are given one body and one body only. Treat it like one of your most prized possessions, because until they perfect the body transplant, it’s your only home.
13. Do less. This is like saying “no,” only maybe you already said “yes” and now you realize it was a mistake. Don’t compound the mistake by fulfilling (unless you’ve made a promise to someone else and that person reports to you). For example, you were going to write that article, but now you realize that it is a lousy topic. So don’t write the thing. You get the idea.
14. Make Monday better doing some work on the weekend. Two days without work makes it very difficult to start on Monday. So he spends 2-4 hours working on Saturdays and Sundays too. This gives you plenty of free time and sets you up for a roaring start on Monday. Plus, if you really catch up on work, you can now take a weekend afternoon off.
15. Organize your things – both physical and digital. Spending 30 minutes trying to find a file is not productive. So get organized, and this is the key: stay organized. Every day before you leave work, put everything where it belongs so you can find it again when you need it.
16. There is no “down time”. Are you waiting in line? Do you drive your car? On the elliptical at the gym? Then listen to podcasts that can help you in your business or do something productive. If nothing else, knit in the doctor’s waiting room – it’s a great stress reliever. Really.
17. Lock yourself up. Or more specifically, block everyone else. Do not leave until you finish your current task. Radical, but it works.
18. Don’t back down on your plan. Once you decide to do something, have to. If it is not worth doing it 100%, it does not belong in your plan.
19. Do it in batches, honey. If you need to make 5 phone calls, answer 12 emails, and write two blog posts, do those things in batches. Once you make the first phone call, you’re in the right mindset to quickly make the rest. Once you reply to the first email, the other 11 are instant.
However, if you need to do several similar things that take a lot of time, batch processing may be a bad idea due to exhaustion. In that case, do one, take a break while you do something else small, and then come back and start the second big task. Doing a small task in between big tasks resets your head and gives you a better sense of accomplishment.
20. Find time for stillness and silliness. It is important to practice stillness for a few minutes each day to reduce anxiety and clear your head. Focus on your breath and relaxing every part of your body.
Foolishness is also important. Read something funny. Make silly faces in the mirror or at your child. Jump rope or hula hoop. In other words, play with your inner child every day, even if it’s just for a few moments.
21. Eliminate the excess and non-essential. Simplify. Figure out what’s important and worth your time, then get rid of the rest.
One last thing… Love your life. love your day Love your friends and family. I love your job. Above all, love yourself.