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At the end of the day, it’s all about time
management. When it comes to time management, we don’t want to admit we don't
have it all together. It’s one of the hardest issues to face and can be a
challenge. However, the good news is it’s very doable.
Time Management
What’s the hardest task? Do that one first.
For some people, filing is the worst administrative task there is and for
others, it’s filling out paperwork and making phone calls. Whatever you
identify, as being your hardest task, is the one you should do first.
You will find this practice to be difficult at
first; however, as time goes by you will be grateful you stuck with it. If you
do nothing else in time management, this is the best tip you can follow. These
tasks will become easier and quicker the more you practice.
Write It Down
Writing things down is very important.
"Forgetting" tends to waste a huge amount of time and effort. When
you write things down, the mind/body activity helps you to remember the task.
Plus, you also have a built-in reminder you can refer to when or if you forget
the details or specifics. Seeing things on paper also helps you to prioritize.
Prioritize Tasks
In order to prioritize tasks and events, you
must know what must be done, what needs to be done, what you want to do, what
is important to you, where your priorities are, and what’s falling by the
wayside.
Put things in order of what should be done
first. Putting things down on paper is the key to getting your life
prioritized. Don’t simply make a to-do list. Write everything down in order of
importance and priority. If you have to, you can number the items. This will
drive home the point of how important one item is over another. Continue to
write down what needs to be done.
Defer Tasks
Don’t be afraid to carry things over to the
next day. If you were unable to complete a task, don’t be afraid to carry it
over to the next day’s to-do list. Don’t view it as a failure. View it as a
fact and keep on moving. Moving forward is what’s important at all times no
matter the day’s successes or failures previously.
What’s the worst thing that could happen if
you don't get to do everything? Can it wait? Will everyone survive? These
questions may seem as though you are making excuses, but you are learning to
prioritize. Once you learn how to prioritize, you will be in flow with what’s
important to you and your life.
Avoiding Procrastination
The most highly successful people don’t have
to deal with procrastination often. It’s not even in the cards for them.
However, for the rest of us, it’s a reality. Here are a few tips to deal with
procrastination when it strikes:
·
Allow a few minutes for
guilty pleasures but put a timer on it
·
Set a schedule for
checking social media
·
Work on a computer that
does not allow (blocks) social media and email
·
Time yourself when
checking emails or answering them
Balance Work and Play
If you’re all work and no play, you are sure
to be successful; however, the down side to this is burn out. If you do
anything for too long, burn out will surely follow. Here are a few tips to keep
the scales balanced:
·
Choose your time to
work and stick to it.
·
Decide, how much if at
all, time you will spend on work after hours (for example reading emails at the
dinner table, taking calls during family time, etc.)
·
Leave work at work.
·
Prioritize your work
schedule and your home life will run more smoothly as well.
·
Learn how to delegate.
·
Learn how to say no.
Just like children, we need to schedule free
time or play time. We need to be intentional about our time but to understand
that while it’s over, it’s time to let it go. Playing for too long can lead to
procrastination and loss of structure.
Take 5-minute play breaks; walk in fresh air,
hydrate yourself, do some deep breathing or write in a journal. All of these will help to renergize your spirit.
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Play nice please.