5 Tips for Managing Your Time Effectively

Time is our most precious commodity – we never seem to have enough of it and even though it is in high demand, there’s only 24 hours in a day. No more, no less, no matter how much you are willing to pay. The benefit of this, however, is that time is also the great equalizer. Everyone has exactly the same amount of time in a day to get things done. How well you manage your time determines whether you will succeed and be efficient in this crazy rat race we call life. Why are some people so much better at managing time than others? The key to their secret is called a plan. Following is a list of tips that, when combined, form a plan for time management which should enable you to become more efficient and get more things done.

1. The List

This is your basic to-do list, which you will write the things that need to get done, prioritizing your items and setting a due date or completion time. Some people do better with multiple lists. For instance, they will have a Work To Do list, a Home To Do list and a School To Do list, thus keeping all of the things they need to complete in those categories separate. Regardless of how many lists you keep, prioritizing and setting a due date is key.

2. The Calendar

Along with listing your to-dos, you also need to keep a calendar of due dates, appointments, birthdays, school functions and kids’ games. Most people prefer their electronic calendar, whether it is on their smart phone or on their computer, but others still value the calendars you can write on.

3. The Work

When working on a task, focus only on that task. Multi-tasking may be praised, but it seldom allows you to fully concentrate on any one task and get it done to your full potential. Also, when people multi-task or let their mind wander, they occasionally indulge in activities that waste time, such as checking their personal emails, Facebook, or texting a friend. Sometimes, a trip to get water turns into a twenty minute chat-fest in the break room with other employees, or while running errands, you decide to browse the store instead of sticking to your list.

4. The Authority

You have authority over certain aspects of your time, your schedule and your life. This means you have the right to say no when people call and ask you to work a charity event, chaperone the school party or work the snack booth at the school game. Also, you have the authority to delegate tasks. If there is someone you can delegate a task to, do so. A subordinate, your husband, your teenager who can drive – they can all be helpful in many ways.

5. The Buffer

The buffer zone is the time between other tasks when you are caught without something to do, even though you could be doing something had you planned well enough. These times tend to occur when you are waiting at the doctor’s office, in car-line, at the orthodontist’s office while your child’s braces are being adjusted. During that time, you can do little things like plan next week’s menu, write out all the birthday cards for the next month or read those magazines you’ve been meaning to get to. Another idea for the buffer zone is to use it as quick bits of time, all to yourself. Go ahead, sit there and play Angry Birds or do nothing, if you like. In our 24/7 world, we all deserve a little time for relaxation.

With these tools, you can now form a plan to help you manage your time more efficiently. Prioritizing and setting due dates, keeping a calendar, focusing on your work, delegating and allowing yourself to say no and planning for buffer zones will allow you to maximize the time you have. Don’t forget to schedule time for having fun with the family and some time for yourself. Those times should also be priorities.

James is an expert reviewer of toner like Samsung toner at his job, and also does a bit of blogging.