Time Management Strategies
Trying to figure out where to start in managing your time more effectively can seem overwhelming. A few years ago I wrote a book entitled Juggling Elephants where I suggest that that best way to manage your time is to think of it like a circus. You’re the Ringmaster, and all of your time falls within three rings: Work, Self, and Relationships.
Even though all three rings are separate, each one does influence the success in the other rings. Here are some simple yet powerful strategies on how you can better manage the time in your day based on YOUR three rings.
Work Ring
Have A Plan
Set aside at least 5-10 minutes at the end of one day to plan for the next or at the beginning of every day. Take these 5 steps:
Reflect on your purpose and goals.
Determine key priorities and activities based on your goals.
Identify non-discretionary time.
Discover your discretionary time.
Schedule “Step 2” activities into your calendar. (Don’t leave them on a list!)
For more in-depth understand of these five steps, watch this free segment from my online time management course.
Create At Least One Time Block For Your Day
Start small by setting aside 30 minutes where you work on items that need your full attention. As you get better at protecting that time, expand it to 60 minutes or create a second time block for your day. Click here to learn more about the value of time blocking in your day.
Single Task
It’s way too easy to start one task and then stray to another one before you finish the first one. All that “switching” back and forth is draining you physically and mentally. Before starting a task, ask yourself, “What does ‘done’ look like for this task?” and stick with the task until it’s finished before starting something else.
Determine How You Will Assess Your Productivity
When I hear someone say, “I was busy all day” I don’t assume they were getting the right work done. To make sure you’re using your time to accomplish what’s most important, use my “Four Fs” to decide if your day was well-spent:
What did I move forward?
What did I finish?
What did I figure out?
What did I do to focus?
Relationships Ring
Create Relationship Routines
When you’re busy, it’s easy to neglect your relationships even though you say they are important. Make a list of the most important people in your life and how you could set up some regularly occurring events or activities with them. Even little things like texting them daily or scheduling weekly calls can help make sure they don’t get lost in the busyness of your day.
Listen More Deeply
What does listening have to do with managing your time? Be honest. How much time have you lost over the past 30-60 days because you didn’t fully understand what the person was asking you to do? Learn to quiet the noise in your head so you can move from a Level 1 to a Level 3 listener by reading my article, Leaders Need To Be Listening At Level 3.
Be Willing To Ask For Help
A big obstacle to improving your time management is that you won’t ask others to help you. Whether it’s delegation at work or at home, think about a low risk task you could let someone else do, even if it would only save you 10 minutes. If you want more proof that asking for help is a good thing, check out my article, 12 Really Good Reasons To Ask For Help.
Self Ring
Protect Time For Yourself
Whether it’s the first 30 minutes of the day, your lunch break, or a block of time in the evening, be willing to consistently invest in renewing your physical, mental, and emotional energy. Think of how much more value you could be to others if you weren’t always so drained.
Take More Meaningful Breaks
We weren’t designed to work all day without taking opportunities to stop, recharge, and reflect. Create a list of quick activities you can do in five minutes or less to help you feel more refreshed. If you need help, check out this great image: 50 Ways To Take A Break.
Have Something To Look Forward To Each Day
Nothing helps motivate you more to get your work done than to have something to look forward to after work. Whether it’s a simple activity with your family, time to engage in a hobby, or just read, always plan something that will help you get through some of those back to back to back to back meeting days.
Want more tips? Join my community by completing the form below and I’ll send you 15 more of my favorite time management strategies.
Self-pAced Online Course
If you’re looking for a comprehensive approach to improving your time management, check out my online course, Be On Purpose!
Articles
Looking for some quick tips to incorporate into your day in a simple way? Check out some of my articles that you can use to better manage your day.
23 Types Of Work And Life Overload
31 Ways To Get To Your “ITs” More Often
The 6 Ps Of A Positively Productive Day
4 Essential Time Blocks To Add To Your Day
4 Ways To Make Working From Home A Success
What You Need To Write At The End Of Your Emails
For more articles, check out my blog page.
Videos
Got 3 minutes to spare? In my weekly Jones Zones’ (delivered straight to your inbox) I can help you master your week to make the most of your time so you can thrive! For more great videos, check out my YouTube channel where you can gain access to Time Management tips, as well as Leadership, Work Life Balance, Overload, Productivity, Change and more!
