Time is the most valuable resource you have, and with it comes the ability to do all sorts of things. You can learn or grow. You can use it to spend time with friends and family, or for activities outside of work. And time isn’t something that comes around forever; you only have a certain amount of time each day. Hence, managing your time efficiently is essential for you to be able to do a better job of living life on your terms.
Nevertheless, being productive at work and home has become a challenge in today’s hectic world. Often, people do not always know what they can get done in a day, week, or month. This can lead to stress and anxiety about how much time we have allocated for our important activities or family relationships. If you want to be successful in your job and build a life that works for you, start by learning how to manage your time well.
How to Improve Time Management Skills
Good time management skills allow us to do what needs to be done and still manage our personal lives in a way that works best for us. Improve your time management skills by following these simple steps:
Eliminate Distractions: A common way to increase productivity is by getting rid of distractions so that you can focus on the task at hand. To reduce distractions, turn off electronic communication like email and social media sites, as well as music at work or in the car. Walk away from your desk whenever possible to clear your head and focus on what you are doing.
Get Organized: A common approach to organizing your tasks for the day, week, or month involves first identifying 3-4 key tasks on which you must focus, and then recording all other items in a separate list. Doing this requires you to have a tool like a calendar or a planner where you can record the things you need to get done.
Prioritize Your Tasks: One of the most important techniques for improving time management is prioritizing your tasks. The more important the task is to you, the less important it will be from an efficiency standpoint, and thus more urgent it should be given importance.
Plan & Shoot for Goals: If you have your day-to-day tasks organized and prioritized, it will be easier for you to act towards your goals. Write them down on your calendars/ planners and start mapping out ways to achieve them.
Calendars and Planners for Time Management
An easy way to improve your time management skills is by using a planner or a calendar. Many people don’t realize this, but if used right, the simplest calendar and planner are enough for you to manage your time efficiently.
There are many types of calendars and planners you can choose from. You have a paper calendar, a notebook planner, and a digital calendar- designed to help you maximize your time and achieve your goals. But, take note, not all fit you. Choosing a calendar still depends on your taste and, of course, your lifestyle.
If you go the old-school ways, a paper calendar is best for you. You can choose between magnetic calendars, wall calendars, and desk calendars. If you choose wisely, you can get all of them in one calendar, talking about flexibility. That’s the StriveZen magnetic calendar for you. Moreover, StriveZen also has 3 – month and 2-month view wall calendars which you can fold and carry with you to your workplace or anywhere you go.
Notebook planners are also available- not just a regular notebook planner, but a combination of a time-blocking planner with 15-minute increments and a monthly planner. StriveZen also has appointment books for people who offer services, in 4-columns on each page. Further, StriveZen also has digital and printable calendars.
There is no chance that you can become an instant expert at time management, but with a little bit of effort, planning, and the right tool, it can be easier than you think.