Time Management – 5 Tips To Improve Your Timekeeping

Do you always feel rushed for time? Difficulties with time management are very common, but they can result in cycles of stress, reduce productivity, and even damage your professional reputation. But how can you improve it?

Time management skills may take time to develop, often it is a process of finding what methods work well for you. This week, we look at some of the most successful tips to improve your timekeeping and to increase your productivity.

Time Management Top Tips

1. Allocate tasks. One of the most common time management issues is taking on too many tasks. This is due to human psychology, as we often underestimate the amount of time it will take us to complete a task. Don’t be afraid to say no – not taking on too many tasks will prevent disappointment and will ensure that your work is not rushed.
2. Create a schedule. Creating a feasible to-do list at the start of each day will help you to stay organised and set the intention of completing the tasks at hand. It will also help you to structure your day, and prioritise the tasks that need your immediate attention.
3. Work to overcome procrastination. Procrastination is particularly damaging to productivity and often results in a waste of time and energy. It is most likely to arise when we feel stressed or bored. Breaking up difficult tasks and rewarding yourself with short activities that you enjoy can help you to get out of cycles of procrastination.
4. Avoid multitasking. Maintaining focus on one task at a time will help you to complete your to do list quickly. Multitasking can make it difficult to focus the tasks at hand, and can increase stress. Avoiding multitasking will help to improve your speed and focus.
5. Deal with stress. Stress is very common if we feel overloaded with work or have taken on more tasks than we are able to successfully accomplish. Stress can make it very difficult to focus, can land us in cycles of procrastination, and make us tired. Everyone deals with and experiences stress differently, but consider getting exercise, meeting with a friend, going for a walk outside, or participating in a hobby that you enjoy to reduce stress.

With self-reflection and hard work, good time management is attainable for everyone. Improving your time management will benefit all areas of your life and help you to reduce stress.

What is your greatest tip for time management? Comment below!