They say time flies when you’re having fun, but that may not be the case during these uncertain and stressful times—especially since one’s perception of time depends largely on how that time is being spent. However, even if you’re feeling off track, it’s crucial that you get your life back in balance for the sake of your physical and mental health as well as the wellbeing of those around you. Whether you’re working from home, raising a family, living with a partner, or flying solo, here are some effective time management strategies to help you make the most out of each day. “The consequence of bad time management can lead to stress, burnout and frustration as you simply don’t have the time to achieve your goals.”
Importance of Time Management
Effective time management makes it easier to accomplish more tasks and activities in a shorter period of time, thus freeing up more time for self-care and additional learning and leisure activities such as a side hustle, business venture, sports, or an uninterrupted vacation.
Benefits of Time Management
Each time management benefit works in tandem with another aspect of your life—and in the best way possible. Notable benefits include increased focus, stress reduction, improved decision-making, more success within your career or academic life, increased self-discipline, and more balance.
How to Manage Time Mindfully
Obviously, you’re going to want to choose the time management activities that are best suited to your lifestyle, so feel free to use a combination (or all!) of the following.
- Set a Schedule
Whether you use a digital calendar, your smartphone, or a simple spiral planner, setting a schedule for the day helps set you up for success—the trick, of course, is sticking to it. When it comes to what should be added to your agenda, no stone should be left unturned. Schedule everything from work time (phone calls, meetings, research, project management, invoicing, etc.) to personal time, so that includes regular breaks, meals, and moments of self-care such as taking a walk, meditating, or a streaming workout video. When you make a schedule, it’s easier to stay on task because you’re less likely to become distracted. Bonus points for being more organized.
- Prioritize Your Life
A daily schedule is a list of goals that need to be accomplished (ideally) before turning the lights out at night, but a list of life priorities is more of a big picture situation. It can even help you with your daily schedule as it’s possible that you are biting off more than you can chew and/or committing to things that don’t bring you joy or fulfillment. Start by making a list of all the things you want to accomplish—that could be anything from painting your bedroom to starting a business. Next, prioritize these tasks with a level of importance (low, medium, high.) Start by tackling the items on your high priority list and forget about those that seem insignificant.
- Keep Your Space Clean
Whether you live in a mansion or a shoebox studio apartment, nothing squashes concentration and amps up stress levels like clutter. A messy living space can make it difficult to concentrate and find personal items while overstimulating your tactile, visual, and olfactory systems. Not to mention, a messy home also prompts feelings of guilt and embarrassment and makes it next to impossible to relax. All it takes is 15 minutes a day to declutter. Put things back in their place and get rid of any unnecessary junk. Donate gently used items that no longer serve you and don’t feel bad about letting go of things you’re saving out of love such as old letters, greeting cards, and unwanted gifts. Schedule time on a weekend or evening to conduct a more proper deep clean of surfaces, linens, etc.
- Stop Making So Many Decisions
Decision-making—especially when unnecessary—can be a major time sucker. Think about it for a sec. Are you wasting precious moments of your day debating over what you’ll make for dinner, which movie you’re going to watch, or what type of workout you’re in the mood for? Once you determine which decisions aren’t a priority, you’ll find that you free up a lot of extra time in your day. Planning ahead can also help you manage the decision-making process.
- Be More Present
Stop overthinking and live in the moment. In other words, think less and do more. Don’t worry today about things you can’t control tomorrow or in the future. Not only are you wasting precious time, but you’re liable to become stressed, anxious, overwhelmed, and distracted—all of which won’t help you with your to-do list for today. While being present is easier said than done, making a conscious effort to do so each and every single day can have both long- and short-term benefits.
- Meditate
Meditation is an extremely effective technique that boasts benefits such as reduced stress reduction and anxiety, enhanced well-being, and improved sleep and overall health. While we like to believe that meditation should be a part of everyone’s daily routine in order to find peace, balance, and clarity, now more than ever, finding a few moments of peace are more important than ever during these stressful and uncertain times. Starting your day with a meditation session (even five minutes will do) can help you start your day off on the right note. It can even be an effective work-related time management tool.
- Know When to Say “No”
You can’t be all things to all people so stop being a people pleaser and know when to say “no.” While it may feel uncomfortable at first, your assertiveness will help you stay on track with your own goals and wants while keeping your self-care and time management in check. In short, never feel guilty about prioritizing your own needs.
- Speak to a Psychic
Now, more than ever, you may need to find comfort in having clarity in your life. Speak to one of our psychics today to reconnect with your inner self and find calm in a turbulent world.
