Time management is an essential skill in today’s fast-paced world, where demands on our time seem never-ending. Whether you’re a student, a professional, or a stay-at-home parent, you can benefit from learning to use your time more wisely and purposely. We all have the same 24 hours in a day, but some people just seem to accomplish so much more! Trying to figure out the best practices for you and your family takes time and lots of trial and error, trust me, I have been there and it was a journey.
Want to join the ranks of these go-getters and become a time master? Well, grab a cup of coffee (or tea or maybe even something a little stronger, no judgment here), and let’s get started on these 4 simple steps to Using Your Time Wisely and Purposefully.
- Set Clear Goals, Boss
First things first, it’s time to get clear about what you want to achieve. Do you want to be the next Bach in the piano world? Are you looking to finally finish a novel you started two years ago? Are you looking to go back to school and finish a degree you never got a chance to accomplish? Ask yourself what are you looking to achieve with your time. Do you want to learn a new skill, complete a project, or relax and recharge? Having a clear understanding of what you want to achieve will help you prioritize and focus your time more effectively. Whatever your goals may be, make sure to write them down and put them somewhere you can see them every day. That way you’ll always know what you’re working towards.
I am a visual learner and I need to see things up and written down. It helps me to stay focused and keep my eyes on the prize. Vision boards are great for both short-term and long-term goals. So get to that local craft store of yours and get to it! Create that vision board of everything you’re looking to accomplish, but keep in mind that sometimes too many goals can get overwhelming. Start with small attainable goals first, the ones you know you will be able to definitely get done. The goals that will help you right now.
When you have reached these goals, move on to the next bigger and better goal. Remember, slow and steady wins the race! Also, include your family in these goals. What can you do as a family to achieve what it is your looking to get done? How can you work on these goals together? What can you do as a team to reach that 5-year plan? Are you looking to buy a house or a new car, remodel a space in your home, go on a trip, start a family, create a workout routine, eat healthier, etc? Keep working towards these goals and stay focused and committed and you’ll see how it all works itself out. “Teamwork makes the dream work!”
2. Get Organized
Now that you have your goals in mind, it’s time to get organized. I already discussed using a vision board, but also plan out your days, weeks, and months and make sure to allocate enough time to reach your goals. Use tools such as calendars, timers, and reminders to stay on track and avoid distractions. Figure out what will work best for you! Use tools that cater to your needs and that will be the most helpful.
I know for me, waking up a little earlier and being productive during my mornings, before my daughter goes to school, saves me so much time. It allows for more productivity when I sit in my office and get to work. Knowing that I get organized and straighten up my house before I sit in my office allows me to be more proficient in my time and there’s no room for distraction. I am not thinking about what I didn’t get done. I can sit with a clear mind and get to work.
While organizing can be meaningful and important, don’t forget to include some fun activities too, because who says working hard can’t mean playing hard? It’s very easy to get caught up in the mundane routines of every day, but we also need a break from time to time! Life is precious and time flies by. Enjoy the little moments. Plan the day trips or activities. Go on a shopping spree. Catch up with a friend! Drink that glass of wine with those you love spending time with! It’s so important to sit back and breathe and enjoy time in whichever way is fitting for you! Remember, organization takes time and effort, but with persistence and a little bit of discipline, you can make significant improvements in your life.
3. Say Goodbye to Distractions, Hello to Productivity
We’ve all been there, trying to focus on work and being interrupted by distractions left and right. It can be difficult and leave us feeling overwhelmed. As a mom or parent, it can be even more challenging when your kids are constantly needing you for something. Whether it’s a crying baby, a toddler seeking attention, or a school-aged child with questions and requests, kids can definitely be a distraction, especially if you work from home.
This has been my biggest challenge through the years, and more so because my daughter is an only child. There is no sibling for her to talk to or play with or seek attention from. Usually, I am all of those things, her safe zone, someone to talk to, someone she needs help from, and someone to play with. Might I add, that I sometimes feel like a short-order cook? “Mom, I am hungry!”, “Mom, what can I eat?”, “Mom, we have nothing in this house!” Truth is, my house is stocked with food, she just doesn’t always want to eat what’s in the fridge and/or pantry! She would live happily on Nutella and strawberry bread sandwiches if I allowed her to! It’s been tough to balance work life with mom life, but creating a schedule and sticking to it has been a huge lifesaver.
Aside from the little human loves of our lives, let’s talk about social media. It’s easy to get caught up in scrolling and checking notifications, but before you know it, hours have passed and your work is still waiting. To combat this, consider setting aside specific times during the day to check your social media accounts, or even consider using apps that block social media sites while you’re working. I began only allowing myself to scroll through social media at night after I have accomplished all of my daily tasks. Unless I am loading posts onto my accounts for work. I keep it strictly work related!
Email is another big culprit when it comes to distractions. It’s always tempting to check for new messages, but the constant influx of emails can be overwhelming. To avoid this, try setting specific times throughout the day to check and respond to emails, or use a system for prioritizing which emails require your attention first.
And let’s not forget about the ever-present temptation of procrastination. Taking a break from work is important, but it’s all too easy to get sidetracked and waste valuable time. To stay on track, create a schedule that includes planned breaks and stick to it. And, if you find yourself getting distracted, take a quick walk, grab a snack, or do some light stretching to recharge and refocus.
Furthermore, there are neverending household chores. The chores that most of us are sick and tired of doing over and over again. While it’s important to keep a clean and organized home, trust me I am the Queen of trying to keep a tidy home. It can be easy to get sidetracked and waste valuable work time. To avoid this, set specific times each day or week to tackle household tasks, and make sure to prioritize your work tasks during your designated work time.
4. Improve and Never Stop
Organization is key when it comes to staying productive and reducing distractions. Take the time to prioritize your tasks and create a to-do list, so you always know what needs to be done next. Write down your tasks for each day and prioritize them based on importance and urgency. Check items off as you complete them. And, make sure to create a clean and organized workspace that is conducive to focusing and getting work done.
Your home and workspace should be a place that works for you, not against you. Make sure to set up your time in ways that help you to stay focused. Do what works for you and your family and you’ll be able to stay focused and productive in no time. Using your time wisely and with purpose is essential to achieving your goals and making the most of your life. With a few simple steps, you can take control and stay focused on your goals.
Finally, just because you’ve followed the first three steps doesn’t mean you can kick back and relax. Regularly review your progress and make adjustments to your plan if necessary. Refine your goals, evaluate the effectiveness of your strategies, and make changes to optimize your use of time and achieve greater results. This will help you stay on track and continue to make the most of your time. And who knows, you might even discover a better way to use your time that you never thought of before!
Can I challenge you to set your goals? Maybe you have old ones that you were never able to accomplish. Maybe there are new ones you would like to achieve. Whatever it is, set your goals, big or small, would you share with me how you have been able to accomplish them? Or what is keeping you from achieving them? What tools do you use to stay organized? Comment below. I would love to hear from you!
Stay tuned for my next blog post on Planning Ahead for Dinner: A Guide to a Tasty and Stress-Free Meal Time.
In my last blog post, How to Boost your Mornings in These 4 Easy Steps, I talked about giving yourself time, staying off of social media, using a daily planner, and prepping and resetting the night before. Hope those 4 steps have helped you improve your daily routine.
Leave a Reply