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Effective Time Management tips
Are you a person who finds it difficult to stay focused and to stay on task? Are you regularly late for important events or do you turn in projects or homework after the deadline? If you do, you may need to improve your time management skill. The good news is that there are a number of tips that can help you do so. A few of these tips are outlined below for your convenience.
Set Time Management Goal
First and most important things that you will have to do; is to create time management goals for yourself. These goals can be for different things. For example, you can set a main goal of improving your time management in a specific period of time, like two weeks or a month. You can also set individual goals for yourself, like arriving to parties, social events, work, or important business meetings on time. No matter what goals you choose to set for yourself, they are important, as goals work to provide motivation.
Identify Time Wasters
Another way to improve your time management is to determine where you have the most problems. What exactly is it that causes you to waste time? There are many things which waste your time. Chances are you already know. If not, do a little test. Walk though a normal day and record what times you get distracted the most and what you are doing at those times. Do you find yourself wasting time when socializing with friends, procrastination, chatting, using the internet, watching television or movie? If so, reduce or completely eliminate those distractions.
Time Management Tools
It is also important to note that there a number of time management tools available for your use as well. These tools should not be relied on daily, but they can be used to help you establish a routine. As for what time management tools you can use, you may be surprised with all of your options. To do lists, daily planners, and alarm clocks are all great ideas. Many modern computers and cell phones also come with time management tools, including alarm clocks, calendars, calendar alerts, to do list and so forth.
Make A To Do List
A to do list is a time management tool which is very beneficial in managing the time properly. As helpful as a to do list can be, it is important to also prioritize. You will want to list your items in order of importance. Most important tasks are at the top while least important at the end. For example, if your list focuses on tasks to do at home is it more important for you to do laundry, vacuum the house, or wash dishes? The order of your lists should all depend on importance and urgency.
Get Organized
One of the best ways to properly manage your time is to stay organized. In fact, poor organization is the leading cause of wasted time. If you are employed, be sure to keep your office desk clean and clutter free. When doing so, you are able to stay focused and on task better. You should be able to get more work done, as you should spend less time searching for misplaced or lost documents. Avoid disorganization. Organization is not only important in the workplace, but other areas that you frequent, such as your home or your car.
Getting Help
It is important to remember that sometimes help is needed. The last thing that you want to do is be overloaded, whether it be at work or at home. If you need to outsource some of your work to a coworker or if you need to hire the services of a professional housecleaner, go ahead and do so. Once you are caught back up, you can begin to properly manage your time. As much as we all want to complete our responsibilities on our own, it is important to remember that sometimes help is needed.
Conclusion
The above mentioned time management tips should be able to help you better manage your time on your own. There are a number of benefits to having effective time management both at home and at the workplace.
Provided by:
Shirley Suguitan
Staying Motivated: Avoid Procrastination
Procrastination is a damaging habit. It can keep otherwise successful people from accomplishing anything. Everyone experiences procrastination now and then. There are often events and tasks in our lives that we simply don’t want to begin. Procrastination starts at an early age for many people. Some children will procrastinate with school work or other chores until the last minute. Often, this results in the child staying up all night to finish a report or other project.
Procrastination is particularly bad because of two reasons. The first reason is that it causes unnecessary stress. When you procrastinate, you are placing extra stress on yourself. You may stress over the task each day until it is complete. If you are one that can put it out of your head completely, you will still be under great amounts of stress when you actually do have to get started. Something that you might have had two weeks to complete will seem completely overwhelming if you only give yourself 12 hours to complete it.
The second reason why procrastination is terrible is because it prevents you from doing your best work. No matter what the task may be procrastination will cause you to rush through it. If you wait until the last minute to get something done, you will be rushing to finish. Instead of taking your time to do your best work, you will be focused on getting done instead of the quality of work. If you want to stay more motivated and avoid procrastination, you should try these three tips.
Make a Schedule
Those people who tend to push things off until the last minute will really benefit from making a schedule. When you have created a schedule that breaks up exactly what you have to do to complete the task on time, you will allow yourself a lot more breathing room throughout the task. By actually writing the schedule out, you will be more likely to follow it. When you break down tasks that you are putting off, especially if they are large or time consuming, you will find it much easier to get started. Often getting started is the most difficult aspect of it all. Once you begin, you will likely sail right through. A schedule will help you keep that motivation and get through the task.
Hold Yourself Accountable
When you notice you are procrastinating, you should always hold yourself accountable. Tell yourself all of the reasons procrastination is harmful. Note that when you don’t procrastinate that you are much more productive. When you want to use others to help motivate you, you can tell them about your task and what you need to do. When you get off course, they can help you stay motivated by reminding you what needs to be done. Telling others allows them to hold you accountable as well. Just remember that when they do remind you of what you need to do, they are not nagging, just simply keeping you motivated.
Reward Yourself
Sometimes the best motivation is a reward. Tell yourself that until you get through the task you will not be able to watch television, take in a movie, or check your email. This will help you get the motivation and desire to finish the task and make things roll along much more quickly. These rewards are nice when you are done, but if you try to do them throughout the task, they will only distract you and take up much more of your time. So, be sure to save the rewards until the end to get the most out of your time.
Remember that procrastination is something that can hold you back from better things. To avoid it, be sure you make a schedule, tell others and hold yourself accountable, and reward yourself for positive behavior. When it comes to doing difficult tasks, no one wants to get started. There are often times in life where we must do things we don’t want to do. It is during these times that procrastination creeps up slowly. Recognize when it begins and know how to stomp it out before it takes over. When you do this, you will find that your motivation is steady and that you can do anything you want to do!
Ways to Avoid Procrastination
Do you put off your work for later, only to find your deadlines steadily creeping in? Then you, my friend, are one of the millions of people afflicted by the procrastination virus. Procrastination is the biggest reason for loss of productivity and late output. Though many would not admit it, they would benefit greatly if they start their work on time.
For many people, putting off their work for later is more habit than desire. It can be so hard to get into a groove where starting your tasks in a timely fashion is a priority, especially if the consequences for being late are things that one can probably bear.
If you are one of these people, yet you desire to shake off your propensity for procrastination, then you have come to the right place. Here are a few tips to help you overcome this dilemma and become a more productive and reliable person.
1. Set schedules – It is very important that you have a list of activities to accomplish per day. This will help you realistically budget your time and resources. One of the cardinal sins people commit in regards to performing their tasks is to put off their work because they feel like there is so much time left. A journal, organizer, or calendar of events will help you plan and schedule your task so that you can start them promptly and finish them on time.
2. Save the Vacation for Later – Many people put their work off for later saying, “I’ll just have a little fun then buckle down to work later.” While it may be true that they may have more than enough time to accomplish their tasks, it would be better if they finished their work first and relax afterwards.
Wouldn’t relaxation be sweeter if it were after a taxing job? If you choose to lay back and relax before doing your tasks, you will be more prone to burnout and will have nothing exciting left to look forward to after accomplishing a task. It is always better to have slack period AFTER a job than before one, especially considering that people are wont to overusing their slack time. This is suicide if you are heading towards a deadline.
3. Never Underestimate Your Tasks – Sometimes procrastination sets in because people underestimate the resources, difficulty, and time spent for a particular task. They will usually say, “It’s just mowing the lawn, its easy; I could do it in a jiffy.” The problem is, no matter how trivial the task, it still takes time and resources to accomplish. If you underestimate a task, you will most likely set too little time to do it and schedule it too close to its deadline.
4. Don’t Allow Yourself to Get Comfortable Doing Nothing – It would definitely help if you kept a subconscious alarm whenever you are doing nothing. Get this alarm to remind you of things that may need to be done. This will help you foster the notion that jobs accomplished now means more time for relaxation later. However, even if this is the case, do not forget to put ample time in for rest and to remove all thoughts of troubles before hitting the sack. The trick here, however, is not to overdo you rest. There is a difference between resting and idling. Always set the right amount of time for rest and stick to that schedule.
To Your Success!
Warm Regards,
Jeremy Gislason
10 Inspired tips for working at home
Sure, the short commute from bedroom to basement can’t be beat in terms of reducing your carbon slipper print. And who doesn’t want to watch reruns of The Office on their own living room sofa during the lunch hour? Heck, you can watch the show naked and no one would complain. Those insulting corporate performance reviews are a thing of the past, baby. When you’re working at home, anything goes…or does it?
Well, it’s clear there are lots of pitfalls. Just Google “pitfalls for working from home” and take a memo. Some people cite as negatives the inability to separate homework from paid work, a painful feeling of isolation, and too many snack breaks allowed by the boss, a.k.a. EMOTIONAL EATER, YOU.
But I like to accentuate the positives: saving rent and earning a tax deduction, total freedom from middle managerial scrutiny, and the gift that keeps on giving – taking adorable pets to work. My pug, Smokey, says, “Hi.” He’s waving. Can you see him?
These positives are important. Gloomy economists predict our jobless rate, now at 8.5%, will rise to 10 percent by the second half of this year, meaning those who can’t find new jobs will likely be setting up a spare bedroom with computer stations, a fax, phone, and perhaps, mini-bar.
If you’ve failed landing a job hitting the pavement, the alternative is to surf for something on the home turf. More of our friends will be in that spot as their job losses outlast their unemployment benefits.
Here are 10 inspired tips on making it work from someone who is managing a home-based writing career and getting out of her pajamas at least four out of five work days a week.
Get Dressed in the Morning and Go to Work
Consider yourself a professional once the lunches are packed and the children are off to school (if you have kids). Make your bed, brush your hair, eat a good breakfast, then grab your mug of coffee or tea and put yourself in work mode. It doesn’t matter if you are telemarketing, writing the great American novel or creating a new website from your house. Put on your face, slip into those pants, and get to work on time.
Let the Sunshine In
Location is important in real estate and in setting up a home office that you will use effectively. The more natural light, the better, as it saves on energy and lifts your mood. According to home office feng shui experts, if your body doesn’t get enough natural light, you will not enjoy working no matter how much you love your job. They also suggest bringing in a couple of air-purifying plants into your work space to up your blood oxygen. My recent post on this plant subject introduced research showing that plants also increase human productivity. Also, as a designer, I urge you to decorate your sunny spot in a pleasant way that makes you feel blissful when you sit down to work. Hit me up for office design tips, any time.
Stay out of the Fridge!
You didn’t have a fridge and pantry stocked with snacks at your old job, so why give your self total access to them now? If you do, you will pack on the pounds while you work at home, which will just make you frustrated and unhealthy. Eat a good breakfast and give yourself a snack and lunch break. You can cut up healthy snacks to keep by the computer (chopped veggies, raw almonds, fresh fruit). Otherwise, you might resort to stress eating. Also, postpone the happy hour to the happy hour.
Take Stretch and Stray Breaks
You can’t sit at the computer or phone all day without moving your body and expect to stay healthy and in good shape. You have to stand up and stretch your neck, arms and back. And even take a break to walk the dog or mail some letters in the neighborhood. If you can keep to your schedule, walk down to a nearby cafe for lunch once a week. Or walk with a friend who also is working from home or at a nearby office. It burns fat, relieves stress and it’s free!
Schedule Your Work Goals for Each Day
Today I will finish a post and write two more. Plan ahead what you want to accomplish and use the extra time to brainstorm, pay bills, do tax work, download some photos on your Facebook page. There’s more time to play when you have finished your work. It is very rewarding to get the job done and lightens your load considerably. Also, if you can write down your targeted goals, it will spare you the agony of tossing and turning at night as you plant it all out in your head. Type it on your home page, or jot it down in a good recycled daily planner, like the ones from At a Glance.
Investigate Your Home Office Tax Benefits
Taxpayers who use part of their residence for work purposes can take a home office deduction if they meet requirements such as using their place exclusively for business or meeting regularly at the house with clients or patients. The IRS says expenses that you can deduct include the business portion of real estate taxes, mortgage interest, rent, utilities, insurance, painting, repairs and depreciation. Check with the IRS for more information and contact your accountant to follow through. We all need those breaks!
Do House Work Before and After Your Work Hours
Sure, it’s okay to multi-task, but there are so many distractions in a home, you could get pulled away from your work and never meet deadlines or stick to a schedule. I remember my mom scolding me: “You’re down in that basement working, why aren’t you washing the clothes at the same time?” The truth is, sometimes I do toss in a load while I work, but it’s not on my mind. Also, it saves more energy to do the wash at night when fewer homes are running their machines. I would never write if I started cleaning up the kids’ rooms (a never-ending battle) or cleaning up the kitchen. I do what I can before I sit down to work and finish once I’m done.
Hang Up the Closed Sign When Your Family Gets Home
Just as it can be challenging to stay on task at home, it also can be hard to know when the work day is done. You can always run back to the computer to polish your work or send another email, but it’s important to give your children your time and attention when they come home after school and have done their homework. There’s really a small window of time that you can connect with them before bed, and people are right when they say it flies by fast. Make dinner together, get them to set the table, eat together as a family, assist with homework if they need it. Share quality time together tucking them into bed. You can always go back to the computer once they are asleep, if necessary. Don’t forget, your spouse needs you, too. If you don’t cultivate your relationship now, what will you have once the kids leave the nest? Will the computer keep you warm at night?
Stay Connected with Your Colleagues and Friends
The adjustment to a home work environment can be tough if you’re a social animal used to chatting it up by the water cooler or doing coffee runs for your pals. There’s no reason to lose your connection just because your digs have changed. Share your work with friends in a medium that is comfortable for you. I often post my stories and successes on Facebook. I’m in a book club with other mothers that meets once a month. I like to attend design events, from showcase houses to lectures at the design center. And I get out and meet people after filing my work. There’s no reason to feel isolated just because you work at home.
Let Your Hair Down Once a Week
I have to say that at least once a week, I stay in my pajamas until it’s time to pick the kids up from school. At our school, people talk if you show up in a robe and fluffy slippers. Snobs! Meantime, what an advantage to working at home. I never got to work in a nightgown at CNN. Ted wouldn’t have minded but those middle manager types were so unimaginative. Staying in the flannels reminds us of those days when we stayed home from school and our moms gave us soup and let us watch TV in bed. That’s exactly how I perform all day on my lounge day, typing away at the computer in my PJ’s, having a nice lunch on the sofa, sitting on the glider in the sun outside with Smoky during a coffee break and listening to the wind chimes – miles and miles away from road rage, carpet fumes and the fluorescent lights of the work world. I get just as much work done, if not more, but without being dressed to impress and stuck in someone’s else’s idea of an efficient work environment.
* Tory Johnson and Robyn Freedman Spizman.
