10 Life-Changing Time Management Strategies And Tips

(That Actually Work!)

Why is time management important?

Utilizing effective time management strategies, and having efficient time management skills allows you to achieve your goals faster, get more done in less time, and will overall leave you feeling more fulfilled.

Have you have felt as if you wasted a whole day….doing absolutely nothing? Or even just knowing you could’ve done so much more than you actually did?

Well sis, It’s time to say goodbye to wasted time, and hello to productive vibes!

This post contains 10 time management strategies and tips to help you get through your days with a breeze and feeling accomplished at end of each and everyday.

Time Management Strategies

Time Blocking

Time blocking is my favorite time management strategy. The time blocking method encourages you to plan out each time period of your day. By scheduling out every time period of your day, you will be able to enhance your focus and are more likely to complete your designated tasks.

If you have a pretty consistent schedule and routine every day with similar types of tasks I would strongly recommend giving time blocking a try!

However, you if have a schedule that is pretty all over place time blocking might not be the best option for you.

Now, our plans usually never go 100% go as planned and there are usually some bumps along away. But don’t let that scare you. Time blocking is an effective way to keep you on task; and if things don’t go as planned, you will be able to switch some things around to fit your needs.

Rapid Planning Method

It is not enough just wanting to achieve your results. You have to a purpose behind what you want – a “why”. This is fuel for achieving your tasks and reaching your goals.

The Rapid Planning Method or RPM stands for:

Results-oriented
Purpose-driven
Massive action plan

RPM is considered system of thinking rather than a time management system. It is a way to maximize the results of your life, and in your sense of fulfillment and joy.

The more clear you are about what you to see in your life, the easier it will be to achieve it.

Ask yourself the following questions:

What are the results that you want to see?
Why is it important to you?
How will you achieve it?

Time Batching

Time batching a is a time management strategy that enables you to focus on a set of similar tasks during a specific time period. This strategy also helps to minimize distractions so that you are more concentrated during your work and are engaged in a steady work flow.

Creating a time batching system is an easy to knock out your related tasks all in one setting:

Start by making a list of all of your tasks for the day/week.
Designate a few large categories to separate your tasks ex: Computer, Errands, Content Planning, Studying etc.
Look back at your list of tasks and place them into their designated categories.
Assign those categories to specific days/times

Time batching will typically work best for people who need complete focus to complete a task and who’s tasks are varied from day to day. This strategy might not be for you if you like variability in your schedule, or if you find it hard to get back to task after taking a break.

Time Management Tips

Know where you are spending your time

The first step to having better time management is knowing exactly what you are spending time doing everyday. Creating a time audit for yourself will allow to narrow down exactly where you are wasting time and hopefully provide an analysis of exactly where your schedule needs some adjustment.

Set priorities

Within your extremely long to-do list, there are bound to be some tasks that are more important than others. Differentiate these tasks and do them first thing in the morning (if your schedule allows it).

It is also helpful to go a step further and separate your urgent tasks from your important tasks. What’s the difference? Urgent tasks are typically tasks that are important with an added firm deadline. Important tasks are tasks that are important to you, but are not necessarily urgent.

For example, I typically write around 3 blog posts a week. Working on my blog posts is usually one of the most important things on my to-do list everyday. However, I am not bound to posting my posts a certain day of the week.

Use a planner

Utilizing a planner is one of the best things you can do if you are trying to have better time management as well increase your productivity. A planner allows you to keep track of your daily tasks, important reminders, as well as schedule your days!

Having a planner provides a sense of relief from thinking about everything that you have to do. You know that feeling that you forgot something, or when you just can’t quite put your finger on what exactly you are supposed to do? With a planner, you can leave these situations behind and always be on your A game!

Make to-do lists

Before you put everything down in your planner, jot down everything that you have to do on your to-lists. Your planner might have section for you to use, or you can have a separate booklet/device for your lists.

If you are always on the go and aren’t able to carry your planner around, having a small booklet or even the notes section in your phone will be perfect!

To-do lists are great for delegating tasks and creating a sense of order within the craziness of everyday life!

Don’t multi-task

Despite popular belief, multitasking is the wrong way to go. Multi-tasking may appear to be great because you seem to be able to get a lot of things done at once. However, researchers have found that it can actually decrease your productivity by 40%!

You might feel like you’re getting a lot done, however the act of shifting you focus and attention can actually cause you slow down.

N.E.T

N.E.T stands for No Extra Time. This time management technique is based around on doing things that don’t take any extra time or effort. NET Time gives you those extra minutes or even hours that seem almost impossible to find.

For example, you can use your driving and/or shower time to listen to a personal development podcast. You can even wake up 10-15 minutes earlier than usual and pick up your favorite book.

There are so many hours in the day that are wasted. It is time to start taking advantage of our down time and change our lives around!

Set shorter deadlines

If you are someone who likes to wait until the very last minute to complete a task or project, I recommend setting deadlines for yourself before your actual deadline.

Parkinson’s Law tells us that if you tell yourself you have a certain amount of time to do something, it will take you exactly that amount of time to do it – even if the task doesn’t even take that long to complete. For example, if you give yourself 3 hours to check your emails, you will most likely take 3 hours to check your emails. However, in reality, it might only take 1 – 1 1/2 hours to go through your emails.

Often times, we set longer deadlines than we have to give ourselves some cushion if things don’t go as planned. And when I say when things don’t go as planned, I am referring to unexpected phone calls from your bff, social media breaks, and giving ourselves some time daydream.

Setting shorter deadlines for yourself will allow to truly make the most out of your time everyday and free up space for other important things in your life.

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