7 Pointers for better time management

Time management is something I think that most people struggle with, including myself. There are so many tools available that can assist in time management such as apps, calendars, diaries (which is still my favourite) or even just a scrap piece of paper. There are also many articles out there that focus on time management and planning – it can become overwhelming. After realising that I needed to brush up on my time management skills, I did some research and found this article on Entrepreneur.com, which really resonated with me. Applying the majority of the suggested tactics daily helped me a lot to improve my day to day time management.

In this article, time is divided into two categories, namely: Real time and Clock time. Clock time is simply the time that is displayed on our watches, cell phones or wall clocks, whereas real time is the time that is controlled in our minds. Have you ever felt that a day has passed by really quickly or extremely slowly? The article explains that is an example of Real time, which is relative. These are the strategies from the article that have worked extremely well for me when planning my day to day time:

• Spending time in the morning allocating what tasks need to be done for the day ahead is an important strategy for me so I know that I have everything written down in my diary in order of importance or deadline.
• I make notes in my diary as the day progresses so that I know I won’t forget about any task that I need to complete later.

• I assign a specific time to any activities that I know are of extreme importance, so that I can focus on those tasks. This way, I’m sure that I execute the tasks to the best of my ability.
• I try to plan my day as realistically as possible. It’s impossible to fit every important task into one day.That‘s why I make sure I execute my tasks according to their priority. When setting out your goals for the day, always be realistic with your time as it will avoid unnecessary pressure.

Image source: Pinterest.com

• As difficult and annoying as it may be, distractions are inevitable and it’s important to allow time for them. If something comes up and you haven’t put aside extra time, it will end up delaying your task and in turn, delay your entire day or week.
• Before I start a task, I ensure that I know exactly what the objectives are that need to be achieved. I find that it’s important to run through the task once it’s been completed and compare it to the set objectives, to make sure I have covered everything.
• Social media is a huge part of everyone’s day, especially mine. Trying to avoid social media at all costs when I’m busy is the best option – I know if I log onto Facebook or Twitter to look for one thing, the next thing I know an hour has gone by and I haven’t touched my work! Social media is a huge distraction and I would recommend that when you’re busy with important tasks and deadlines, rather ignore social media until the task is 100% finished.

Image source: Photofunky.net

These few tips have definitely helped me manage my time more effectively during my first few months in the working world. I hope that these tips are as effective for you as they were for me! Let me know about your time management advice in the comments section below.