5 tips to manage time better (the real way)!

Let’s face it, no matter how much we read those time management books or watch videos on how to manage time well, 24 hours on the clock inevitably seems to be a little too less. With so much on our plate, we always end up with an unsettling feeling of not having enough time to run all our errands! Work-life balance seems to be a myth that is too true to become a reality for most us because “work smarter, not harder” is just another phony phrase after all. But that’s not the case. All those endless hours of running around and those intuitions of not having enough time can be solved with a few time management tips that really work.

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Learning to manage your time better is an art that needs practice, and you master them if you just follow these tips that really work. Oh, and it works for your personal life as well!

Start early

Those extra couple of hours in the morning really pays off throughout the day. It’s a known fact that every successful person is the world has a habit of waking up at the crack of dawn. Your energy level goes down as you drag yourself across tasks throughout the day and hence, an early morning habit will give you a head start and help you clear your mind, plan and prioritise your day accordingly.

Don’t multitask

If you want to sharpen your time management skills, stop multitasking! We live under the false impression that multitasking is an efficient way of getting things done, but studies show that multitasking is “damaging your brain and career”. Focus on one thing at a time for increased productivity.

Learn to Detach

We waste a lot of time on things that are not absolutely important at a particular moment and that too, without even realising it! Practise not answering your phone if rings or chimes. Calls, emails or any sort of instant messengers are a curse to time management. Detach if possible, and schedule a particular time for you to return the phone calls, mails and messages.

Take breaks

There is no good in overworking your body. Learn to accept the fact that breaks are crucial. Take 10 to 15 minutes off in between tasks to get your mind off of the work load. Listen to music, play games, take a stroll or talk to family and friends if you can. This will not only help you remain calm but guard against you overworking your mind.

Set deadlines

Be it tasks in your personal life or your professional one, establishing deadlines is crucial. Try to be realistic while you set up a deadline for yourself and stick to it until the job gets done. Think of it as a challenge that you have set for yourself and try not to give up in the middle. If you complete it, give yourself a little treat.

Incorporate the above mentioned tips and tricks in your daily routine for increasing productivity while lowering your stress levels.