It’s easy to feel like there isn’t enough time in the day, especially given the many demands of modern life. But if I’m being completely honest, I know that for me, I often feel like I don’t have time even while knowing on some level (even when I don’t want to admit it!) that I don’t always manage the time I do have as well as I could.
For example, I often feel like I am perfectly justified in “taking a few minutes” to engage in an activity to give myself a brain break, help re-set or refocus, etc. And in theory, this is actually a really good idea. The problem? “Taking a few minutes” can easily become 30 minutes, an hour, or more. A quick text to a friend becomes a 30-minute back-and-forth. A quick check of my Facebook notifications can lead to a half-hour of mindless scrolling. A quick glance at the news can become me reading random articles for an hour, many of which aren’t even relevant or timely.
You see, the key to managing our time lies in being honest with ourselves around our time-related habits...and how we can use our time management tools to improve them!
Have a ton of to-dos but no idea where to fit them in in an organized way? Consider time blocking by area, goal, project, or topic! Find yourself spending way longer on tasks than you’d like? Try setting per-task time limits! Get caught up in something and work beyond your optimal productivity? Try structured work sessions/break-taking, such as the use of the Pomodoro technique!
There are many different ways to approach time management, and each person’s needs are unique! So how do you go about determining your time management needs? Start by taking inventory of your time! Where and how are you spending it? Does time feel spacious to you, or are you often overwhelmed by all you have to do in a short amount of time? Are you finding time to do the things that matter most, including those that truly light you up?
Once you determine what your time management needs are, you can determine the best tools to help meet them. Need help? My inbox is always open!
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