Easy Time Management
August 21, 2008
Do you struggle to find enough time every day just to barely get everything done? Do you frequently say, “I wish I had more time, but…”? With families, jobs, hobbies, church…it can all become a bit overwhelming at times just to keep things running smoothly.
It is important, as you already know, to become a wise manager of your time. Here are some really simple tips you can use to get focused and take control of your time.
1. Create a block calendar. One of the best ways to get control of your time is to use a block calendar to map out your day. This should be done at least a week, but preferably a month, in advance. Each block can represent thirty minutes, an hour, or even three hours of time. Think of them as your “time chunks.” Write down everything you need to do in each chunk of time. Once you have all your time chunks filled, you’ll have an overall view of each day. This will also help prevent you from overbooking yourself.
2. Prioritize tasks. Once you create your block calendar, you can very easily assign priorities to each task by writing a number beside each one. Giving each task a priority helps you keep things in perspective, as well as ensure that you get the most important tasks completed early on.
3. Rid yourself of distractions. When you have important business to take care of, there is nothing worse than having lots of distractions to cause you to waste time. Know your weaknesses and get rid of them before they suck your time away from you. Common distractions many people face are: computer games, Internet, telephone, and unexpected company.
Finally, remember to allow yourself frequent breaks throughout the day. If you have a desk job, be sure to take a ten or fifteen minute break every couple of hours. Grab a drink of water and stretch your legs. You’ll be ready to hit the books again when your break is up, and get much more accomplished throughout the day.
