It seems like some people are able to really get the most out of every hour of the day and some people waste a lot of time. What's the main difference between these two groups of people? The people who manage to be more productive are able to use their time efficiently. Learning how to properly manage your time will not only help you to get more done, but it will make you a more attractive candidate when you are seeking a new position. So how can you master your time management skills? Here are some tips.
1. Look at how you're spending your time
The first step to managing your time better is to see what you are currently spending your time on. There are many aps like Toggl and Timely that will help you to track your time. Track your time for a week to see how much time you are really spending on Facebook every day. After a week, take an honest look at what you are giving your time to. Then you can make adjustments accordingly.
2. Complete the hardest tasks of the day first
Have a big project you're dreading working on? It can be tempting to do easier tasks first so you feel like you're getting more done, but then you can end up procrastinating with important tasks. It's better to work on the bigger, more difficult projects in the first half of the day and then switch to easier tasks for the rest of the day.
3. Give yourself a time limit for each task
If you give yourself a limited amount of time to complete a task, you will be less likely to procrastinate or become distracted.
4. Keep track of your tasks for the day
It's good to understand your goals so that you can break them down into manageable tasks and then create to-do lists. Having an organized list of thing you need to complete each day can help you to focus on the important things that need to get done. At the same time, though, you may have interruptions or more important things that come up throughout the day so be flexible. Don't beat yourself up if you don't accomplish everything on your list in a day. Set realistic goals so you will be able to complete the tasks you need to.
5. Know when to outsource or delegate tasks
No one can do everything. It can be difficult to give up control and allow others to help you with certain tasks, but you want to free up your time to focus on the important aspects of your work. The best way to free up time is to delegate the easier tasks to others.
6. Find the best schedule for you
This may require some flexibility from your employer, but there is always a good amount of time you have complete control over. Try getting up earlier in the day or finding time in the evenings to be productive. Every person works differently so don't try to adapt your best friend's schedule or your co-worker's schedule if that doesn't work for you. Understand your own personal needs to create the ideal schedule for you.
These are just a few tips that will help you to manage your time better. You may also want to try to get more organized. Try an old school planner or a helpful app. There are plenty of tools available that will help you to manage your time better.
