Time is a precious commodity. If we waste it there are no re-runs. Let us look at ways to manage stress and make the most of your precious time.
Make the most of your time by using these time management hints:
- Prioritise. Not everything on your mental check list is equally important or critical. Maybe make a list, brainstorm and write down everything that you have to do, then go through the list with a marker and number them in priority order. The numbers may need to be re-ordered as the day goes on, and other things may crop up, but when you have a list with everything on it, then that can be kept as a point of reference at different times throughout the day.
- Plan. Use a diary. Identify where you are wasting time. See how you can organise yourself better. Be logical. For example, in business have one day a week where you are in the office doing paperwork, making appointments, catching up, seeing where you are up to, organising the finances. Then plan the other days to maximise how and where you spend your time.
- Delegate. Whether at home or at work you may well have people around who you can ask for help. Asked tactfully people will feel good about helping you. When they feel appreciated they may well volunteer to help again. Use your people resources when you need help.
- Use technology. Rather than travel to meetings you may be able to conference call or use a video link. Computers allow people to work to suit themselves, often utilising more unorthodox hours to get things done.
- Stop doing things that are not working. Rather than keeping on trying to sort something out or fix it, let things that are wasting your time go.
- Have breaks. People who take breaks work more efficiently and effectively - Fact. So have a piece of fruit or a little walk outside mid-morning. Take a lunch break, preferably away from your desk. Food, water, fresh air make all the difference to you coming back to your work in a better frame of mind.
- Manage stress. Notice when you start to feel tense, irritable, lacking in concentration. This is when efficiency starts to suffer and you are better off doing something else. Exercise is a good option at this time. Many people get mentally fatigued but neglect their body. Take some time for a walk, a run, an hour at the gym, a bike ride. Do something to tire your body a little and it will help to manage stress and utilise your time more effectively.
- Take the train. Rather than drive yourself everywhere, let others do it for you. Then you can use your time well, to relax, work, read, have a break.
- Focus on your skills, the things that you do well. Use your time well and get help in the areas that are either a waste of your time or that others can do for you. So maybe hire a cleaner, a gardener, someone to iron for you, a personal assistant, if you find these jobs stressful and becoming out of control.
- Aim to finish at a certain time. Working from home or having flexible hours can sometimes mean that people struggle to stop working. They keep doing just one more job. Have a time when you feel that it is reasonable to stop, then close the door, either mentally or physically and go for a shower or a change of clothes or something that draws a mental line between work and the rest of your time.
- Have treats. Good time management is not all about working hard. Fun, family time, friends all need to be enjoyed to the full. Often they are the reason why we work so hard. So allow good quality time for the important people and activities.
- Put yourself in your diary. Book yourself in just like you would an important client, and honour that appointment. Go for a walk, a massage, even an afternoon just watching old films and eating chocolate. It is important to spend some of your precious time on you.
