The term ‘time management’ is often tossed around in self-help seminars, workshops and across internet infomercials. Yet, if you stopped to think about it, you can NEVER manage time no matter what you do. The clock is going to keep ticking anyway.
Time waits for no man… and there’s no way you can manage it. Don’t let them tell you otherwise. The only thing you can manage is yourself. So, if you want to get the most of your time before it slips away, you’ll need to manage yourself as productively as possible. You have no control over time… but you have 100% control over yourself, and that’s a good thing.
Tip #1 - have a daily plan
A solid daily routine with a good workflow will mean that you know exactly what you need to do daily. Over time, your actions will become habit and you’ll be even faster. Remember, you’re always fighting the clock.
Tip #2 - first things first
In any business or endeavor, there will be tasks that you must complete. If you want to be a dancer, you must practice dancing. If you want to be a runner, you need to run daily.
If you want to be a writer, you must write. If you’re an entrepreneur, you MUST focus on the income-generating activities that shape the future of your business.
Complete the tasks that matter first. Do not procrastinate. Time is not your friend and it’s not waiting for you. It’s best you start running to catch up with it.
"Be intentional in the direction of your efforts." – Jo Mayo
Tip #3 - eliminate distractions
No matter what you do, you’ll not get more time. What you can do though, is to free up the time that you do have. By eliminating distractions such as social media, excessive TV watching, spending time at the bar and so on, you’ll have more time to work on your business.
This time you spend working on your goals will yield rewards many times over in future.
"Either run the day, or the day runs you." - Jim Rohn
Tip #4 - time box your tasks
Have a few fixed time slots where you’ll do specific activities. For example, 8 am to 12 pm, you’ll work on your most important tasks. From 1 pm to 2 pm, you’ll work on administrative tasks. From 2.30 pm to 3.30 pm, you might choose to exercise.
By timeboxing your tasks, you’ll be more organized.
Tip #5 - have buffers
Notice in the example above that you only started exercising at 2.30 pm but you ended your administrative work at 2 pm? That extra 30 minutes in between is known as buffer time. It’s there to account for situations where you exceed your time slot and so on. You might need time to change into your workout clothes and so on.
Have time buffer blocks interspersed throughout your day so that your day doesn’t seem rushed and chaotic.
Tip #6 batch your tasks
Do similar tasks at the same time. For example, if you’re running advertisements for multiple products, you’ll want to work on the creatives for your ads all at once.
Once that’s done, you can create all the ads and campaigns on the platform of your choice.
In another time block, you’ll analyze the statistics to see how you’re performing.
By batching your tasks, you’ll get more done in a shorter time. Your mind will not need to switch between tasks.
Tip #7 automation & delegation
Use software, tools or devices to automate tasks and free up your time. Work that’s necessary but which doesn’t need your direct involvement and input can be outsourced to others. By leveraging other people’s efforts and time, you’ll free up more time for yourself and can focus on the tasks that mean the most to your business.
The 7 tips above will immediately make you more aware of how you spend your time daily. In fact, time is like a currency… and if you invest it wisely, you’ll reap dividends many times over.
Your success in business or any undertaking in life will be directly impacted by how you allocate your time and what you use it on. So, spend it wisely.
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