Most people have used the phrase “there’s just not enough hours in the day” at least once in their lifetime, and it we can see why. Sometimes, the hours just seem to fly by and everything you schedule to do the next day never ends up materialising.
But what if we told you that you could get more hours out of your day if you’re able to structure your time accordingly? Half of the time, you might not even be aware that you are spending a certain amount of time on your phone, or that you’re trying to do your most difficult tasks in the evening (when it might not be your most productive period as your body moves into relaxation mode).
Start applying these useful ways to your own life and watch how much more time you have to spend on things you really want to do:
Identify when you are most productive
There are two types of people in this world – morning people and evening people. Some can function optimally as soon as that first cup of coffee touches their soul whereas others come alive in the night-time. Do your most difficult tasks when you’re free from distractions and obligations. If you are working remotely and have the kids around, try to do time-consuming tasks during their nap time.
Get organised
Time management is crucial. Consider all the time wasted while searching for phone numbers, trying to find names of certain people and retrieving misplaced supplies at work. Use the first 15 minutes of your day to organise your workspace before you begin with your daily tasks. Structure your to-do list around the tasks you have set out for the day and be realistic with the time allocated to each.
Structure a plan the night before
It always helps when you know exactly what you’re looking to achieve the following day. Divide your to-do list into different sections for the day, the week and the month. Schedule all appointments, meetings, tasks, and even include your meal plan. This type of direction allows for forward planning.
Try to pinpoint where time is being wasted
While it’s therapeutic for many to binge-watch series, this can also be known as a “day waster” when you move into relaxation mode before completing your tasks. It could be useful to get all the hard work out of the way first. A good time management tip would be to set activity limits on your phone or to set out a period during the day that’s dedicated to watching TV uninterrupted.
Learn that no means no
Even though it’s admirable to always volunteer to go the extra mile, this could be contributing to time you could be spending somewhere else. If you’ve scheduled some me-time and someone asks for your assistance, the most natural thing to do would be to say yes. However, learning how to say no could help you save time as well, and that means checking your emails only when it’s urgent, leaving calls to go to voicemail and explaining to loved ones that you won’t be able to make yourself available during a certain time.
Picture: Unsplash