The intricacies of time management change depending on our time of life and responsibilities in general. Certainly, managing your time when you’re young, free, and single in your early twenties is different to juggling time with a family in tow.
Yet, in each instance, the adage of there not being enough time in the day means that we typically need help getting our time truly under control. And, we turn to techniques from the Pomodoro to the Pareto principle to get things done.
Unfortunately, the ideal technique for one year might entirely fail in the next. But, what if we were to tell you that there is a way to get on top and stay on top of your time, regardless of how your daily life alters? To make it possible, forget those techniques and time gimmicks (for now), and keep on reading to discover the underlying processes of time management that lasts.
# 1 – Write it down
Experts believe that writing something down can help it to stick in our minds. Instead of trying to juggle your daily responsibilities in your head alone, write them down in a way that works for you.
This may mean going with a traditional list-style outline, or just doing a bit of free writing that discusses everything you need to do and when you’d like it done. In each instance, you’re committing your intentions to the page, spending more time working them out, and generally making it more likely that, no matter how you do it, you find a way to fit everything into your timeframe.
# 2 – Incentivize your goals
Most of us are good at treating ourselves after horrible experiences like a trip to the dentist, but we rarely reward ourselves for getting our time under control. In reality, though, it’s surprising how much more you’ll get done when you tempt yourself with something like a sweet treat or even a spa trip if you finish your tasks with time to spare.
We are, after all, far more efficient when we have a reason not to put tasks aside, or take too long with the things we’re doing. Plus, not only can you get your time under better control this way, but you’re also more likely to make time for the enjoyable things that often get forgotten!
# 3 – Keep it going
While it’s easy to make new habits, it’s difficult to keep them, especially when your time restrictions/requirements change. In reality, though, you’ll never get your time truly under control if you stop and start trying whenever it becomes inconvenient. Instead, truly getting your time, and your stress levels in hand means pushing forward with these time management techniques regardless. Over time, this skill will then become a habit, and habits are way more likely to see us through in the long run.
Time management can be messy, but it can also be long-lasting if you put these plans into place whenever you try to get a grip on your day.