HOW CAN I IMPROVE MY TIME MANAGEMENT SKILLS AND FOCUS?

TIME MANAGEMENT 

We always think so much, but when we try to implement it, only a few percent of our thoughts are converted into actions. We have good ideas with us, but we waste our time in non essenti tim

If we had time we would have done this or that, and the list is so long. We have so much professional load that we do not have time to spend with our friends and family.

On the other hand there are many people who are so busy but still manage to do all activities, are present in all events, and are connected to everybody. How is it possible? Everybody has the same 24 hours, the answer lies in how one manages it and makes the most of it.

“Time isn't the main thing, it's the only thing” - Miles Davis

Being with a plan has always proved to be beneficial. If we plan our day well ahead, we are able to know our busy and free slots. And we can also do the things we want in the desired manner.

The question is how to do effective planning? Here are some tricks you can use to customise your plan:

1. Make a weekly schedule.

“For every minute spent in organising, an hour is earned” - Benjamin Franklin

This one tip is the best and very much needed for time management.

On a sunday evening, make a proper schedule for the next whole week, marking all the activities you need to do.

Do not completely fill it, have some time free so that you can add urgent or sudden work received in it during the week. Also a tight packed schedule is very difficult to follow. Have some time gaps.

2. Limit your time of reading emails and being on social media.

If you do not value your time, no one else will” - Donna Brazile

Spend your time wisely. You should always have designated time to spend on social media and emails. Take as much time as you feel for it, but apart from that please dont waste time on your phone. After doing this activity you will realise you have plenty of time left.

3. Follow the 80-20 rule - Pareto analysis.

“It is not enough to be busy..the question is: what are we busy about?” - Henry David Thoreau

You should swear by this rule in all areas of your life. Of all we do, 20 percent of any work gives a major 80% result.

This rule means that schedule firstly the 20% of important work that will give you 80% of the desired outcomes of the day. Try this, it works like magic.

4. Make an Urgent - important matrix

No one is ‘too busy’ in this world, it's all about the priorities.

Categorise your tasks as important, urgent, not important and not urgent, and schedule accordingly. For example if any task is urgent and important, that needs to be done first, then if any task is urgent but not important and if it is important not urgent, you can decide to schedule it or delegate it, on the basis of your priorities.

5. Classify your To do tasks in One time and Repetitive categories.

“It's not the load that breaks you down, it's the way you carry it” - Lena Horne

Always categorise your tasks in the two categories, one time or repetitive tasks. And then you can schedule them likewise. For example, for repetitive ones you can set weekly/monthly reminders. So you won't spend more time remembering them as your schedule will automatically remind you. Trust me it saves a lot of time and protects you from last minute hassles.

6. Delegation of work and its followup.

“Deciding what not to do is as important as what to do” - Jessica Jackley

There is no person who alone can do all the work possible. In some work you need the help from others. The best option is to politely ask for or delegate it, but the most important thing in delegation is follow up. Because you can’t solely rely on others after delegation.

To make sure your work will be completed by the due date, have follow ups scheduled in your plan that will help you track the progress of your work. Please note, the number of follow ups will be based on the importance of work and nature of the person to whom the work has been delegated. So work smartly guys.

7. Checklisting the schedule.

Don't tell people your plans. Show them your results.

Whenever you make a schedule, it is advised to either hand write it or take a print out of it on a paper so that you can tick the activities which are done as per the schedule. This will keep you motivated, stress free and help you to understand if your plan is working as desired.

8. Review and amend.

“A good system shortens the road to the goal” - Ralph Waldo Emerson

Always at the end of the week, sit and review your last week's plan, has it gone as decided, do you need some changes and what problems you faced, how can they be resolved. There may be some tasks which you were not able to do on a consistent basis, so do they want more time to be allotted or do they require time change?

After whole analysis then start next week's planning. Few weeks after you will have the perfect schedule for you in your hands.

9. Wake up early.

“The bad news is time flies, the good news is you are the pilot” - Michael Altshuler.

One secret tip if you want to utilise maximum of the day and follow the whole schedule is to wake up early, because mornings are the time when you have your maximum efficiency levels. So make use of it and make the most of it.

10. Design the first half of the schedule mindfully.

“Either you run the day or the days runs you” - Jim rohn

The first half of your schedule should have the important work you want to do. As in a fresh mood, things can be done smoothly. And once the main work is completed, you feel more confident and relaxed during the rest part of the day.

So hope these tips help you in making your schedule and managing your time perfectly. And you can live your life with a great balance in personal, professional and social beams.