How To Be Better at Time Management

Time is one of our most valuable resource, but using this resource wisely is something many people fail to do. It is vital to master the skill of time management when striving to be more productive and successful.

The main advantage of good time management is that you ensure you are productive throughout the day, and you don’t spend too much time doing things that aren’t constructive in the long term. 

Poor time management can lead to:

1. Stress
2. Being Unorganized 
3. Demotivated
4. Bad mood
5. Not being able to meet deadlines
6. Quite simply, you stop liking yourself…

We all aim to use our time effectively, but it is always tough to do so. This is my guide to use your time in the most efficient way possible: 

1. Prioritize:

This means putting the most important things at the top of your ‘to-do’ list. Prioritizing things ensures you don’t miss out on finishing the important work. When prioritizing,

• Do the important tasks first 
• Not so important tasks later.

This is the first step to take in order to manage your time well.

I always find using physical notepads, or even any note taking apps to be useful. I personally use the notes app on my phone to make a small to-do plan for the day. This doesn’t need to be a tedious task. The image below shows how I planned my day when studying. Simple, and straightforward schedules keep you on task, and help stay motivated.

I would highly recommend making a list of your day’s task. Either do this on any note taking app, or if you enjoy the feel of a diary, buy a good diary to motivate you to becoming organised.

Don’t know where to begin your hunt for a good diary? Check this out (#ad). It’s a sweet academic planner, PERFECT for keeping you organised!

2. Create a timetable/schedule:

Creating a schedule is a great way of managing your time. A schedule helps allocate time to specific tasks, and keeps you focused on achieving your goals.

A well design timetable should include your goals for the day/week. Sticking to your timetable is the most difficult part, so make sure to include some ‘fun time’ as well! This way you will look forward to your day, and not feel bored. 

Here’s a step by step guide on how to make a timetable

3. Set goals:

Goal setting is essential when trying to manage your time. Having goals keeps you focused on the bigger picture. Setting goals keep you motivated and give you a clarity when making decisions. Setting goals also help prioritize, and by now you know the importance of prioritizing.

Remember- set goals that are achievable. If you set unrealistic goals, it will only undermine your confidence. Your goals should be SMART( Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Relevant, Time bound).

4. Don’t procrastinate:

We are all victims of procrastinating. In simple terms, procrastinating means constantly delaying or postponing things, because of the fear of failure. Don’t waste time overthinking. These are some ways in which you can completely avoid procrastination:

• Be optimistic and have a positive attitude 
• Don’t think of the worst possible outcome
• Don’t get easily influenced by negative ideologies.

It’s always easy to procrastinate and postpone things, never take the easier approach. A wise man once said “Difficult roads often lead to beautiful destinations”. Although that wise man isn’t me, this quote is true, try to do things no one else does and you will surely reap the rewards!

Whenever I find myself on the verge of procrastinating, I do something unique. It always seems to work for me, so, you might as well try it out. It’s simple. I focus on my breathing, and count till 20. Once the count to 20 is over, I muster up all courage, get-off the procrastination train, and get to my task. I know this sounds quite over the top, but it always works for me. Try it out sometime!

DON’T BE THIS GUY!!

5. DO NOT GET DISTRACTED:

Probably the most important point of them all, NEVER EVER LET DISTRACTIONS INTERFERE WITH YOUR WORK. There are endless amount of distractions, that can be video games, social media, music, basically the internet.

When you get distracted from the task in hand, you tend to lose the motivation to continue working and feel like doing something else. This can lead to a lot of work not getting done. Try to minimize distractions by:

• Setting aside around 3 hours a day in which you only focus on your work.
• Take frequent breaks so you don’t feel like your are missing something
• During your breaks, try go out for a walk, this way you feel fresh
• When you are working, keep distractions like your phone far away from your sight.

Follow these simple steps and trust me, you won’t be tempted to get distracted!

Social media, and video games are a massive spoiler of productivity. See, I love scrolling on Instagram, or having gaming sessions with friends for 2-3 hours. And everything in limit, and moderation is FINE. But, once you cross the line of said limit, that’s where the problem starts.

I would recommend reading our article, A changing world. In it, I go through some of the harmful effects of excessive social media, and gaming. The article also contains feedback on the subject from an expert educator.

Final words

Now that you have read this article, it’s time to get started! Obviously, just reading this won’t magically make you the most productive human-being ever. I don’t think that exists. But it’s a good start to becoming a little more efficient with you work.

“Aim to be 1% better than you were yesterday, and over time you will be a much better version of yourself”.