An eternal blockage at work, a lot of outstanding chores and regular time pressure can knock anyone out of a normal rut. Managing time and managing everything is not easy - for this there is a whole science, which has received the modern name "time management".
A few practical tips from professional "time managers" were included in our Top 10 tips for those who do not have time.
10. Learning to take time correctly
Often we believe that there is still a lot of time before the “X-day”, and we simply beat the bacilli, and then we are forced to make an inhuman breakthrough in order to be on time. And sometimes, being carried away by trifles, we just don’t notice how precious time flows away. If you can’t plan and discipline yourself, it’s worth trying to set an alarm clock, setting aside a strictly defined time for a particular job — 15 minutes, one and a half, three hours, etc.
9. Stop procrastinating
As a rule, “for later” we put off things that are unpleasant to do for a variety of reasons - they may be somehow related to not-too-nice people, hard and unusual work, global changes, etc. It is important to find something important and good in fulfilling such a task, concentrating on it. For example, as a result, a new skill will appear or there will be a chance to receive gratitude from the authorities.
8. Divide global tasks into smaller ones
"Elephant" must be eaten in parts. If you need to do a spring cleaning, but there is simply not enough time, divide the apartment into zones and for each one take one evening. So the order will be put in place within a reasonable time and without emergency work for the whole day.
7. Down with perfectionism
The pursuit of excellence prevents us from moving on. For example, by “licking”, correcting and improving the same report ad infinitum, we run the risk of getting a blockage at work that will need to be raked for several days.
6. It is important to encourage yourself
For the work done, rely on reward - a cup of your favorite coffee or a new smartphone, even if it depends on the scale of the project. But the desire for a “bonus” that you have come up with in advance will help you do things faster and more efficiently.
5. We use the technique
Almost every modern computer or smartphone can be a loyal assistant, helping to plan time. You can download a special application that allows you to schedule for a day, week, month, and then reminds you of important things. Or you can just use the built-in reminder function and just an alarm clock.
4. Limit the information field
A huge amount of information that is dumped on us from the phone and email, brings a lot of new work. In the office, take a certain time to view incoming mail and do not get distracted by new letters until you complete important work. At home during an emergency you can simply turn off the phone.
3. Remove “time absorbers”
Surfing on Internet sites and watching TV take so much time that it is then inevitably not enough for important things. You should not forever deprive yourself of the usual joys of life, but by limiting television series, the Internet and talking on the phone for a certain time, you can do much more.
2. Record
It’s best to record things in a diary that allows you to plan the day at the same time, but just stickers on the monitor or on the fridge, as well as electronic notes on the phone, will do. It’s best to record things the next day in advance, so that in the evening you can calmly analyze all the plans and discard the unnecessary, as well as rank the tasks by importance.
1. Have time to relax
Work without rest and break is gradually becoming less effective. To fulfill the simplest tasks, a tired person needs a waste of time, and the likelihood of an error immediately increases significantly. Therefore, even in the most busy schedule, there should be time for sleep, food and a pleasant stay.