Powerful Tips to Manage Your Time

We all have 24 hours per day. But why does it seem as if other people can accomplish more in those same hours than you? Can they control time?

Other people do not have the power to slow down time. What they do have is time management strategies. 

You can become a master of your own time too. Take a look at the tips below to get started and change your life!

Evaluate your current time management strategies

The first thing that you have to do in order to develop an effective time management routine is to audit that time you have. You must make yourself aware of how you spend your time so you can understand where you're wasting it. 

You might think you're only spending ten minutes a day checking your emails, but when you look closer, you will realize that you are spending more time than you should. There are several software programs you can use to keep track of your time. With this information in hand, it will be much easier to make the appropriate adjustments. 

Limit the time for each task

This may be easier said than done, but you have to try at least. If you set a limit to each task, not only are you likely to stick to the time, but you will be able to discipline yourself not to give in to distractions. 

For example, limit your time checking and replying to emails to one hour. You can even set a timer. It will work like a game where you are against yourself. Put buffers in between tasks, just in case you find it more challenging than you first thought. Perhaps one of the best benefits of time management is that you get your assignments done in the first place. 

Make a list of all the things you need to do 

A to-do list at the beginning of each day will serve as your guide. Remember that the goal is to tick as many tasks before the end of the day. However, you have to make sure that you don't abandon the more challenging tasks. All daily tasks need to be doable within the given time frame. If there are some tasks leftover by the end of the day, that is okay. However, they should go towards the top of the list for the next day.

Long-term goals should be at the back of your mind when making your list, but they don't have to take control of it every day. Part of utilizing practical time management steps is knowing what you are working for now and what you intend to achieve in the long run.

Make the plan ahead of time

Waking up early in the morning without a plan will leave you with less time to work on your hands. Plan ahead the night before, or if you are genuinely swamped with work, then you can do it early the next day. 

Before you go to bed at night, spend at least fifteen minutes making a list of the things you need to do the next day. Composing a list the night before also helps you think ahead of time. Without a plan on hand, it would be impossible to accomplish anything, even if you have the whole day to yourself. 

Work on the most critical task of the day first

One of the secrets to achieving a lot in a day is to work on your MITs first. The most important task of the day is the one that is more urgent. It may also be a task that other jobs rely on. There are a couple of reasons why working on the most critical thing first will help you manage your time well. 

First of all, you have a lot of energy in the morning. With that amount of energy, it will be easier to take on a more challenging task. Also, it gives you a feeling of accomplishment at the end of the day. When you have the rest of the day to get everything else done, you will feel more relaxed and a little less stressed. 

Delegate, delegate, delegate

Have you ever heard the saying, "If you want something done right, you have to do it yourself?" While you may want more control over how things are done, you must also learn the art of delegating if you're going to have more time in your day. This can be very tricky in the beginning, but it is doable. Besides, if it's something easy and not really worth your time, why not hand it off to someone else? Another benefit of delegating tasks is that you will be able to train others and help them learn a new skill or two. 

Delegating tasks helps save you time and energy. Make sure to hand over the responsibility to someone you can trust. You are good at what you do, but you can become even better when you are able to train someone to be as good as you. You'll develop leadership skills too. 

Doing more doesn't always mean a productive day. If there is no learning in doing the task, the process will be useless. Remember that the goal is not to do more, but to be more. Slow down a bit and allow yourself to breathe. Do what needs to be done, but keep in mind that each process can become a learning opportunity. 

Once you master your time, it is easier to make every action count. As a result, you will be building yourself up, creating greater value to the work that you do, and accomplish more in the long run. Good luck!