“A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step.” – Lao-Tzu.

“You can’t manage time; you can only manage yourself.” – Peter Drucker.

What is Time Management?

Time management is the art of balancing your life and work so that it can meet your needs and goals. Time management is a skill that has many different approaches. It can be as simple as deciding to do 10 minutes of self-care every hour, or it can take the form of the 3:1 rule when it comes to work and life. This is an interesting concept because it’s often said that time management isn’t a skill you’re born with and cannot be developed. If this is true, then I will share some time management tips to help you balance life and work more effectively.

The best time management tips are the ones you’ll actually use. You must make a conscious effort to get organized, put systems in place and keep them going. It is hard work! You must be willing to stick with it.

The single most important skill to have in your toolkit is being able to manage your time well. In business, you’re setting up a schedule, and you could be penalized if it’s not followed. In your personal life, you may feel guilty if you say no to a friend or family member who asks for help. You need to know how your time is being used and when it’s appropriate to spend it, so we set aside a certain amount of the day for work and another for family and personal activities – those are the basics of good time management. 

Why is Lack of Time Management Bad?

Time is a critical resource, and if you don’t have time management skills, you have no control over it and it can leave you frustrated and overwhelmed. There are so many tasks and activities in the modern world that are taking up an increasing amount of our time, leaving little for those we love. But why is lack of time management bad? It’s not just about the hours we’re wasting; it’s also about the quality of life we’re missing out on by not managing our time more effectively. We’re missing opportunities that are important for our personal and professional growth. We’re giving away our time on a whim which is not sustainable.

What are Obstacles to Time Management?

If you take the time to analyze your life, you’ll realize that there are always obstacles. The best way to overcome them is to be aware of them. Here are just a few major ones:

• You’re doing too many activities, and you have no time left for yourself, your goals, or your family.
• You feel inadequate next to other people who always seem to be accomplishing more than you.
• You have no clear idea about how your time is being used each day, week, or month.
• It’s hard to say no when others want your attention and help with their projects, even if it drains your energy away from what’s important to you.
• You lack the self-control to say no to yourself when you know your time is being wasted.

Top 10 Tips for Managing Time

1. Start by planning.

Planning takes time, and it’s important to start with this step before you try to do anything else. You’ll want to work out in detail how often you’ll be doing certain things and when you’re going to do them. You need to collect information about your schedule and see what tasks can be delegated or shared. 

2. Create a personal system for time management.

Most people use the same tools for their work and personal schedules – paper planners, email, text messages, apps, etc. These are all great tools, but they’re also easy ways of wasting time that could be better spent on self-study or more productive activities such as journaling or meditation/yoga practice. You need your own system for time management; your time management system will be the way you organize, prioritize, and plan your work, personal, and family life. 

3. Prioritize verbal and written tasks.

What are important tasks in your life, and what’s more crucial than just starting with the most important, then the next most important, etc.? Are you getting started on something you will never finish? Could it wait for another day? It’s hard to do this because you feel overwhelmed by everything that needs to be done as soon as possible. If you’re not prepared to do this, then it’s better to put things off until later, when you have more time. 

4. Make a task list and schedule it.

This is only the initial list; you need to add to it as new tasks come up during the day. At this point, you should be ready to put your system into action. The best way is to use an electronic or paper planner, or both if you like. If you’re going to use electronic tools, then don’t forget that you’ll have access to your lists on your phone, tablet, or computer. 

5. Say no to people and tasks you don’t want to do.

This is difficult for many people because we all want to be nice and help others out, but at the same time, you’ll want to focus on your own priorities. In order for you to get things done, it’s important that you can say no when necessary. You should be polite and direct when you do this. Not only will your productivity increase, but so will your self-confidence. 

6. Treat yourself to the things you enjoy.

It’s important to spend time with those we love. In order to do this, it’s necessary to make time for them. You need your own space where you can relax and enjoy your time off, but you also have to recognize that not everything is important. You have different needs than others, and it’s important that you take care of yourself too. 

7. Get organized and stay productive.

In order to be organized and stay productive, it’s necessary to follow a system or practice in your day-to-day life which helps you manage the flow of events. There’s no set way of doing this, but you need to be aware of how much time you’re spending on each activity and how it’s using up your energy. 

8. Focus on what’s important.

Make a list of the things you want to accomplish in life, and be mindful of how much time you spend on each activity. If a particular area isn’t working or isn’t getting the results you desire, then consider finding an alternative practice that can make it work better for you. It’s not always easy to change your routine, but if you’re seeking growth, then this is one of the best ways to do it. 

9. Develop better communication skills.

Many of us spend too much time on email and text messaging. We’re constantly checking our phones and sending updates to others, but sometimes it’s important to talk on the phone or in person. You need to make sure that you have a good relationship with the people in your life. Being blunt when necessary is a great way to help this process along. 

10. Don’t be afraid to cut back on your activities.

Once you start to see how much time is being wasted on activities that have little or no value, it may be time for you to cut down on them and focus on what really matters. You can start by cutting down on the amount of time you spend on those activities that don’t contribute to your goals.

How Do I Manage My Time Effectively?

The most effective way to manage your time is with a combination of these tips and practices. The most important skill you’ll want to develop is self-awareness; once you recognize when you’re wasting time or are in need of better self-study, then you’ll have a greater sense of accomplishment and purpose.

The major challenge for people who want to learn how to manage their time more effectively is sometimes they get caught up in traditional ways of doing things, and it may be difficult for them to change course. Find your own path and work to build a system that works for you, but don’t get attached to it.

Time can be a friend or foe, but if you know where to focus your energy, then you will have the strength of mind and body to accomplish great things. Trying to manage time effectively may seem like a challenge at first because time seems so capricious and elusive – but with practice, as with any art form – you will master it and lead a more fulfilling life.

Now What?

If you are one of millions of women who are torn between helping your parents and pursuing long-term business goals to support your family, feeling burnt out, unhealthy, stressed, overworked, overscheduled, running on empty, and putting everyone and everything else above your needs – you are not alone.

Here is my “Clarity, Confidence, and Certainty – 6 Steps To Calm the Chaos” guide. I hope that it gives you some useful tips on getting some balance.

Sending you positive thoughts for more clarity, confidence, and certainty.

Stacey.

P.S. If you want to learn more about how I help executive women successfully balance these responsibilities, excell at high-powered careers and build strong plans for wealth, life and career goals, schedule a complimentary Clarity Session.