5 Tips on Time Management

Hey Strikers!

Forgot to do an additional blog yesterday on a completely different topic from my challenge.

So here is one that I know that I am still working on myself but I know you all can benefit from.
Ever find yourself getting completely overwhelmed with responsibilities and tasks that need to be completed asap but there isn't enough time? Sometimes it feels like we need to have 72 hr days! I know I'd personally love that myself! However, if we could just do a few tweaks here and there, then we could definitely make a difference. So, here are a few things we can all do decrease the stress levels!

1.  Plan Ahead 

 This can include things like the following:

• Set things up the night before, right before going to sleep. Clothes, documents, etc.
• Have a routine, morning or night. This way there is less time thinking and more time doing.

2. Know your goals

    Make sure you’re engaging in activities that support your business goals, both short- and long-term. Everything else is a potential time-waster. Your daily plan should revolve around working on tasks and activities that directly relate to generating income and growing your business. This can also be beneficial for personal goals. 

3. Prioritize Wisely

   Make a list and categorize every task.

Important and urgent — Tasks that must be done. Do them right away.

Important but not urgent — Tasks that appear important, but upon closer examination aren’t. Decide when to do them.

Urgent but not important — Tasks that make the most “noise,” but when accomplished, have little or no lasting value. Delegate these if possible.

Not urgent and not important — Low-priority stuff that offers the illusion of “being busy.” Do them later.

You can also use a planner or a bullet journal to fully help give you a visual representation of everything that needs to be done.

4. Eliminate Distractions

Start paying attention to the number of times someone interrupts you when you’re in the midst of an important task. Track self-induced interruptions, too, particularly those of the social media variety. Your smartphone is extremely useful, but it’s also addictive and among the most insidious time-wasters known to mankind.

It may take a massive exercise in will power, but shut the door and turn off your phone to maximize your time. Instead of being “always on,” plan a break in the day to catch up on email, call people back, talk with staff, etc.

5. Delegate more often

If you’ve done a good job of hiring talented, dedicated employees, there’s always more work they can take off your desk. Running a successful small business depends upon the owner’s ability to think about what lies ahead and not get mired in day-to-day operations. Look for opportunities to pass responsibility for specific tasks to others on your team. Even in a personal situation, if you know someone that can handle a certain task and you only have so much time to do everything, asking them to help is the best way to relieve stress. Why not knock out two birds with one stone?

Let me know how these work for you all and if you have any other advice on how to achieve effective time management. Don't forget to enjoy the other things life has to offer.