10 Effective Time Management Tips

Towards the end of last year I wrote a post about the importance of time management. That post focussed on what time management is, the benefits of mastering it and some of the problems you might run into without it. It’s an absolutely timeless concept (pardon the pun) and so I wanted to revisit it again now and share with you all my top 10 tips for managing your time effectively.

Now, these are mainly geared towards time management in the workplace, but they can also be applied to our day-to-day lives in most instances. After all, effective time management is something that lends itself well to every aspect of our busy modern lifestyles.

1. Prioritise the most important tasks

If you only remember one tip from this entire list, then make sure it’s this one.

Every day, identify a couple of tasks that have to be completed and label the rest as ‘upcoming’. Then simply focus on these few crucial tasks before anything else.

If you manage to complete your essential tasks, then you will have had a successful day.

2. Focus on one task at a time

To successfully complete every task to a high standard, you have to give it your full attention. If you are thinking about something else on your to-do list then you will find it very difficult to focus on the task in-hand.

If you find your mind wandering to upcoming tasks then ask yourself if they are more important than your current task and focus on them first.

3. Make key tasks habitual

If you have regular tasks that you complete then turn them into habits. Train your mind to approach certain tasks in a habitual way and you will quickly see that they become more natural and more enjoyable to undertake.

Here’s a great post on how to form new habits – give it a try!

4. Set time limits, then review

Sometimes we sit down to complete a task and think, I’m going to stay here until this is finished. Whilst this might seem like a good approach, it actually increases the chances of procrastination.

Instead, give yourself a set time limit such as three hours and then review your progress when it is reached. The time constraint will act as a subconscious motivator to keep you focussed.

5. Say ‘no’ sometimes

If you’ve already got a huge to-do list and someone approaches you with more tasks, then you are quite within your right to politely decline. After all, how well are you going to complete a task if you have to rush it late at night or early in the morning just to meet a deadline? The person who gave you the task won’t appreciate substandard work, so don’t devalue your service & put yourself in that position to start with.

6. Get a good night’s sleep

I’m deadly serious about this. We’re always hearing about the benefits of getting 7-8 hours sleep on a regular basis and this is because it allows our brains and bodies to function at their optimum levels. Our ability to focus is greatly affected when we are feeling tired and tasks will take significantly longer to complete.

7. Eat healthily and exercise

Don’t skip meals because you’re busy. You’ll not only affect your health but also your productivity. Try to get regular exercise too as it will make you feel more energised and focussed. Drinking enough water each day is also very important to prevent dehydration and lethargy.

8. Be conscious of your internet time

Working predominantly on a computer, means that some of us run the risk of being side-tracked by our favourite social media sites, internet games and news outlets. Make a small note of how much time you spend surfing the net and add it up at the end of each week – you’ll probably be very surprised and the exercise will see you naturally curb your browsing habits.

9. Allow yourself a buffer between tasks

The previous point was about being side-tracked during tasks. However, allowing yourself a bit of down-time between tasks is essential. Otherwise, you’ll go directly from one task to the next and quickly find yourself lacking focus and motivation.

Step away from your desk for ten minutes after completing a task and get some fresh air. Your brain needs short breaks throughout the day.

10. Group similar tasks

Wherever possible, try and group similar tasks together. For example, if you’ve got to write three blog posts then do them consecutively. You’ll find this approach much easier than constantly reorienting your mind on different tasks.

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