ACHIEVE YOUR SET GOALS USING THESE 5 TIME-MANAGEMENT TIPS

  Are there days you have to do so many things at the same time and it just feels like 24 hours a day is no longer enough to get everything you want done, as if the universe ganged up against you? It doesn’t end there; you might also notice that despite all you’ve tried; you were still unable to get anything productively done or completed. Yes, a lot of people are comfortably balanced on this table. Can you guess one key factor that separates successful people from regular people? No, it isn’t the universe. The answer is; Time Management Successful people have hacked the nature of success. They understand how to juggle multiple activities, while staying focused on the most important tasks for their success. The one thing that no one can ever get back once it is gone, is Time. Once even a millisecond is gone, it can never be recovered; it can only be remembered. Therefore, one of the most important skills anyone can develop, is effective time management. The trick is, once you master the art of effectively managing your time, the self-discipline, self-determination and focus skyrockets, hitherto, achieving your goals. For you to attain goals you have set for yourself, either in the present or in the future, you must be able to effectively and productively manage your time. You must be set to avoid distractions as much as you can and pay close attention to how your time is spent. Time after all they say is money, ergo, spending it wisely is imperative. Below are some tips that can help you better run your life and ensure you achieve your set goals.  

1. IT IS NOT TIME THAT FLIES, IT IS YOU

The number one tip and most important to note, is that you cannot pause time. Trust me, if people could change time, either by extension or reduction; the world would be in chaos at the moment. But, no matter what you do or how hard you try, there will always be only 24 hours in each day. What you can manage, however, is You. You can manage your focus and the events in your life in correspondence to time through self-analysis, planning, evaluation, and self-control.

2. MAKE A TASK LIST

Make a list of tasks and activities you have to do, then prioritize the tasks for that day and set your performance benchmark. Ask yourself these questions;

• What activities do I do on a daily basis?
• What activities are of utmost importance and urgency?
• What activities are time wasting and unproductive?
• What activities can I eliminate or delegate?

  Distinguish between what is important, urgent, relatively important and less important. This would help you determine how to handle each task and knowing where your time is most spent.

3. SCHEDULE USING MANAGEMENT TOOLS

Have a time log using a planner or an app such as phone reminders, wall charts, diaries or software programs such as Outlook, Google calendar that lets you schedule your activities and events easily with reminders that give you notice on upcoming activities.

4. SET TIME LIMITS FOR EACH TASK AND AVOID MULTI-TASKING.

Assign a time frame to each task you have scheduled and stick to the schedule. Avoid trying to do multiple tasks in the same time frame. We often think we are capable of multi-tasking but what really happens is; our minds invariably become divided, making it unable to focus on any of the tasks 100%. So, when you notice yourself falling into the multi-tasking routine, take a step back, breathe and rearrange the tasks in their order of urgency and importance. Then pick the first task, ensure its completion, before moving unto the next.

5. AVOID PROCRASTINATION

“A task left undone remains undone in two places — at the actual location of the task, and inside your head. Incomplete tasks in your head consume the energy of your attention as they gnaw at your conscience.”— Brahma Kumaris The bane to effectively managing your time, is procrastination. Oftentimes, when we have tasks that we consider unpleasant, we find it hard to complete them early and keep procrastinating them. We push tasks further to avoid dealing with the unpleasantness that comes with carrying out the task. Therefore, to avoid this, learn to start your tasks small and easy. Cut them into bite sizes and take them bite by bite until you are able to complete. In all honesty, making the effort to manage yourself and stop procrastinating can be difficult to maintain. The key is to find balance and establish a routine. Learning how to balance and juggle every aspect of your life, without feeling overwhelmed ensure you a quality, goal-achieving life all round.