5 Ways to Manage Your Time Better

Time is the most valuable resource that many of us struggle to utilize adequately. The way we manage our time has a tremendous impact on our efficiency which in turn drives our productivity.

The human tendency to be highly susceptible to distractions followed by the habit of procrastination are the two main reasons that we often lack the ability to manage our time better.

This hinders our personal and professional growth as we fail to make use of the time at hand.

If you wish to manage your time better, here are the 5 ways that can help.

So, without further ado.

Let's get started.

1. An Organized To-Do List

Having a to-do list is one of the best ways to manage your time effectively. It's the key to success for many professionals and helps manage time to drive optimal results.

An organized to-do list gives you a clear direction and helps channel your efforts in the right direction. With a to-do list, you don't just dive in blindfolded and start your day. You know what's on the agenda and carry on with your day accordingly.

A to-do list also makes it easier for you to set clear goals and give it your all to achieve them. You know what you have to do and the value associated with each task. This helps you decide whether or not a particular task or activity is worth the time allotted.

2. Prioritization

Prioritization plays a key role in time management as it helps you achieve more using the time at hand.

The effective utilization of time is always paired with the results or outcome of a particular task. What makes the time you spend on a particular activity worth it is the results you drive from that activity.

The outcome may not necessarily be as per your expectations all the time. But if your efforts keep the needle moving, that's all that matters.

Prioritization helps you drive the maximum value from the time at hand as you utilize it on tasks or activities that fuel your progress toward the set goals.

One of the best ways to prioritize your tasks whether working remotely or in an on-site setting is to use the Eisenhower Decision Matrix. It's an awesome tool that helps you decide whether to do, drop, delegate, or park the task for later.

Efficient prioritization enables you to hack growth as you learn to master the most valuable resource at your disposal. And that's time.

3. Timeboxing

Timeboxing is one of the efficient ways to manage your time better. Here, you split your day into various intervals and allot sessions not just to professional tasks but also to your personal activities.

These intervals are called timeboxes. Here, you complete a task within the assigned time and then move on to the next one.

Timeboxing is one of the best ways to utilize your time effectively but it only works best if you've set realistic goals and expectations.

There's nothing wrong with challenging your capabilities but that shouldn't mean setting unrealistic deadlines. A balanced approach will make it easier for you to follow the ground rules laid out by yourself.

Timeboxing facilitates optimal utilization of time but not at the cost of your leisure. It helps enhance your productivity and enables you to stand out from the crowd without having to experience burnout or sacrifice your personal time.

4. Avoid Multitasking

Many of us resort to multitasking in order to get more work done in less time. But, working on different tasks simultaneously may actually be counterproductive.

Each task may require a different thought process. So, when you switch from one task to another you lose focus and end up wasting your precious time trying to regain it.

It takes time to tap into the zone and channel your inner productivity. We don't have a switch in our minds that you just flip and shift gears instantly. So, once you lose your focus, it may take minutes or hours to regain it. And from all that time, nothing productive comes out.

Some might say that multitasking has helped them be more productive than ever. And that can be true in some cases. But generally, it doesn't work that way.

Even if you check multiple tasks off your to-do list while working on them at the same time, the quality of work is more likely compromised.

So, the best way to manage your time for the better is to stay focused on the task at hand and move on to the next once you've completed the last one.

5. Avoid Distractions

As humans, we are all susceptible to distractions around us, especially when working in a remote setting.

Distractions cost you precious time and have a severe impact on your productivity. They may seem inevitable to evade but there are many ways to avoid getting distracted and stay focused on the task at hand.

For this, the first thing you need to do is fortify your mind. Second, turn off your phone's notifications or put it on flight mode when working. Three, avoid accessing your social media accounts or unnecessary internet surfing. And lastly, don't take abrupt or frequent breaks.

You cannot eliminate all possibilities that lead to distractions. But, you have to try as best as you can to be less susceptible to distractions around you in order to get good at time management.

It's a Wrap

There you have it. The 5 ways to manage your time better. If you have been struggling with time management, try out the recommendations and see if they work for you.