Do you always feel like you’re constantly out of time?
We all get the same 24-hours, right? Then how can some people can do more with less time?
The answer lies in effective time management.
Essentially, time management is the act of organizing and dividing your time to maximize your efforts.
It is a sought-after soft skill by employers, as people who manage their time well tend to get more done. As a bonus, good time management skills also enable you to achieve a better work-life balance and reduces stress and anxiety.
Looking for ways to improve your time management skills? Here are some tips that can help:
Know Which Tasks to Prioritize
Planning and prioritization are essential parts of effective time management.
Instead of making a to-do list, arrange your tasks in order of importance so you know which ones to prioritize. You can do this by hand or use apps like Google Calendar or Asana.
This helps you focus on urgent or vital tasks, boosting your remote work productivity. Additionally, marking off each task you complete gives you a sense of accomplishment, which motivates you to keep going.
Start Your Tasks as Early as Possible
As they say: “The early bird gets the worm.”
Making an early start a part of your morning routine helps improve your time management skills and boost your productivity.
This enables you to better prepare for the day, whether it’s through exercising or making daily plans. You can also use this time to get a head start so you’re less vulnerable to procrastination.
Know When to Say “No”
One common mistake many employees, especially new ones, make is to take on more responsibilities than they can handle.
Although it may earn you short-term praise, this can be detrimental to your productivity and mental health in the long run.
Instead, determine how much work you can handle and learn to say “no” to anything beyond that. Do explain that you have neither the time nor the bandwidth to do it, as you have other pressing deadlines to meet.
Doing so improves your time management skills and allows you to focus on the tasks that matter.
Minimize Multitasking
Although it may seem like a useful skill, studies show that multitasking can negatively affect productivity.
Instead of killing two birds with one stone, it hampers our ability to focus on one task and slows our pace overall.
Thus, it’s always better to work on one task at a time so you can put your best effort into each before moving to the next.
Remember to Take Breaks
Contrary to what many people think, regularly taking short breaks isn’t a sign of laziness nor is it a waste of time.
Doing so enables you to give your mind a quick rest so you can return to work refreshed and re-energized, allowing you to achieve more in the long run. Short breaks also help you avoid burnout.
Minimize Distractions
Whether scrolling through social media, watching YouTube videos, or chatting with your friends, distractions abound in the traditional and remote workplace.
The best way to solve this and improve your time management skills is by minimizing your exposure to them in the first place.
Examples include putting away your phone so you won’t be tempted to use it during your shift, working in a more private part of your house, and notifying your family about your work schedule so they won’t interrupt you during those hours.
Utilize the Power of Technology
Keeping up with your daily tasks and meetings can be difficult if you don’t set them straight.
Fortunately, there are plenty of time management software to help you arrange your tasks and meetings by urgency. These apps also allow you to monitor how long it takes to accomplish your tasks and help you avoid procrastinating.
Aside from the apps above, you can also use Todoist, Focus Booster, Forest, and Microsoft To Do.
Time’s Up!
Time is one of the most precious resources we have. Once we lose it, we cannot get it back.
Thus, we must make the most of it to achieve a healthier work-life balance.
By following the tips above, you’ll have an easier time improving your time management skills and regaining your work-life balance.
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