10 Ways To Trick Yourself Into Managing Time Better

Time is money. That’s why we spend it on things that are important to us.

It’s the TIME that we dedicate to things that make us feel happy, productive, and successful. So what makes you happy? Is it work? Money? Life in general? Is it something else?

Do you feel good when you are working on a project, or do you feel good about other activities? When was the last time you felt truly happy with your work (not just like “I did a good job”)?

What makes you more productive than when you were doing lapis lazuli carving all day?

One of the most powerful tools at our disposal is our ability to control our own time. This is probably the single most valuable tool we have at our disposal.

We have a choice every single day. We can choose whether or not we will spend our waking hours doing what we want.

Time management is a complex subject. It comes with many different opinions and (sometimes conflicting) advice on managing time effectively. However, in this post, I’ll attempt to give you some practical tips that have been effective for me.

When I was running my own company, the theme song of our company was “Time Management.” I used a lot of it while working on the site, and the video still runs on desktop mode and has become my favorite video ever.

I learned a critical lesson over the years; if you want to get something done, you must set aside sufficient time.

And if you want something done right, you must not only find time but also dedicate enough time to it.

If you don’t do either of those things well, your results will be mediocre at best or worse than bad (and most likely both).

Are you looking for ways to manage your time and get better results? If so, then this article is for you. We will share 10 powerful tips to manage time and get results.

Plan Your Day Ahead of Time and Make Sure to Allocate Time For Each Task

How often have you woken up late, rushed to get ready, and then realized you didn’t have enough time to do everything you needed to do?

Probably more times than you’d like to admit. One way to avoid this is to plan your day ahead of time and make sure to allocate time for each task. This way, you won’t be as rushed, and you’ll be able to accomplish everything on your list.

The first step is to list the things you need to do. This could include anything from getting dressed and making breakfast to working on a project for work.

Once you have your list, estimate how much time each task will take. This isn’t an exact science, but it will give you a general idea of how much time you need.

Make sure you allow enough time for unforeseen circumstances and unexpected tasks. However, don’t overschedule yourself; too much pressure can lead to stress and fatigue.

Finally, keep a diary or journal in which you track your daily activities and goals. This will help you reflect on what worked well during the day and what could be improved next time.

Using these powerful tips, you can manage your time more effectively to achieve more in life!

Follow The 80/20 Rule

A well-known saying in business goes like this “80% of results come from 20% of the effort.” This is known as the “80/20 rule.”

Most results come from doing just a few essential tasks well. So if you can focus on doing those tasks better, you will achieve more than if you try to do too many things at once.

Here are three tips for following the 80/20 rule:

1. Prioritize your time and resources. First, ensure you understand what is required to achieve your goals. Then figure out how much time and energy each task requires. Finally, decide which tasks are worth doing and which ones can be put off for later.
2. Shoot for excellence. Don’t settle for good enough when it comes to your work; aim to be the best that you can be. Be relentless in trying new techniques or approaches, and constantly improve your skills. This will help you get more out of the 20% of tasks that make up 80% of your results.
3. Get personal. Make a list of your top three tasks to accomplish this month and figure out how you can get those done. Each task should be broken down into small, manageable pieces to help you focus on the most critical parts.

Implementing systems that will ensure you don’t miss anything is an excellent way to improve your efficiency.

An important task is often caught by the last-minute deadline; yet, if you wait for it to be completed by someone else, you may never get it done.

Set Deadlines For Yourself and Make Sure to Stick to Them

Managing time can be a challenge for anyone, but it can be tricky when you have a lot of commitments and responsibilities.

It can be helpful to establish deadlines for yourself and make sure to stick to them.

Setting boundaries will help you manage your time more effectively and ensure you get the most out of each day.

When you have defined goals and targets, it is easier to focus on achieving them.

Use a Time Management System That Works For You

There is no one-size-fits-all solution when it comes to time management. Every person has different strengths and weaknesses, which factor into managing their time.

Some people are naturally better at prioritizing and organizing their time, while others may be better at taking short breaks now and then to recharge.

There are a variety of time management systems available online or in bookstores, so find one that works best for you and stick with it.

If you find that your system isn’t helping you achieve your goals, try tweaking it until it is.

Delegate and Outsource Tasks That You Can’t or Don’t Have Time to Do

Many tasks can be delegated and outsourced if you want to manage your time more effectively.

One way to start is by identifying tasks you can delegate or outsource to others.

This may involve talking to your family and friends or searching for online services that offer temporary or part-time help.

Take Regular Breaks Throughout The Day to Stay Fresh and Focused

A recent study by the National Sleep Foundation suggests that adults need between 7 and 9 hours of sleep a night to function well. If you want to be on top of your game, you should try to get at least some shut-eye every night.

However, sticking to a strict bedtime routine is not always easy. That’s why it’s essential to take regular breaks throughout the day.

You’ll keep yourself alert and focused by taking short breaks every few hours. Plus, it’ll help you avoid feeling overwhelmed or stressed.

If you can’t find any time to take a break during the day, try scheduling one for after work or during your weekend free time.

Just ensure you don’t overdo it and end up sleep-deprived again!

Avoid Multitasking

Multitasking is a common problem, and it can be ineffective. A study by the University of Sussex found that people who multitask perform worse than those who don’t.

They also make more mistakes. Even when you think you’re only doing two things at once, you’re probably doing more.

Multitasking is ineffective because it interferes with our ability to focus on one task. When we try to do two things at once, our brain can only focus on one of them.

We make more mistakes because we’re not paying attention to what we’re doing and don’t get the results we want. Instead of trying to do multiple things simultaneously, try focusing on one task and see how your results are much better.

Stay Organized and Keep Your Workspace Clean

To be productive and focused, it is vital to have a clean workspace. This cannot be easy to do when you have a lot of work to do, but keeping your workspace clean will allow you to focus on the task at hand.

You can keep your workspace clean in many ways, and some of these tips may surprise you.

One way to keep your workspace clean is to organize your materials. If all your materials are in one place, it will be much easier to find what you are looking for. Additionally, if everything is organized, it will be easier for you to stay on top of your work schedule.

Another way that you can keep your workspace clean is by cleaning it regularly. By cleaning regularly, not only will your workspace look cleaner, but also the environment in which you work will be more conducive to productivity.

Make Use of Productivity Boosters Like Music or White Noise to Help You Stay Focused

Many different productivity boosters can help you stay focused while working. One of the most popular is music.

It can help you concentrate by blocking out distractions and helping to keep you in a productive mindset.

If you work better with background noise, white noise can also be a great option. It helps drown out distracting sounds and creates a more calming environment.

Other productivity boost options include caffeine, breaks, and a timer to stay on track.

Don’t Forget to Give Yourself Some Down Time

It can be easy to get wrapped up in work and forget to take care of yourself. However, don’t forget that you also need downtime to recharge your batteries.

Make sure you schedule in time for yourself, even if it’s just an hour or two each week.

Use that time to do something you enjoy, whether it’s reading, watching TV, going for a walk, or spending time with friends and family.

Taking time for yourself is essential to maintaining your well-being and preventing burnout.

Conclusion

Time management is essential to getting things done and achieving success. These ten tips are a great place to start, but you must find what works best for you and make time management a habit. Start today and see how much more productive and successful you can be!

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Featured Photo by Kevin Ku on Unsplash