Are you self employed? Are you stressed from working all the time? This is a very easy trap to fall into. Below are a few tips to help you utilize time management skills, have less stress and yes, become more prosperous.
Do you find yourself working 8 days a week? Yes, I know there are only 7 days in a work week, but when you never take time off, that becomes a miserable 8 day work week.
Do you find yourself lost when it comes to appointments, meetings, or tasks that need to get done on a schedule?
Do you feel you’re not getting tasks accomplished, or that you are constantly playing catch up?
Ready for some help? Here we go:
- Set regular work hours
- Use your calendar
- Make a to do list
- Lose the clutter, both paper and digital
- Schedule recharging time and come up for air
- Don’t try to do everything yourself
Regular Work Hours
This is time management at its finest. This also may be one of the hardest things to do but believe me it’s worth it. Give yourself the gift of regular work hours Monday through Friday. Stick to those regular hours. Discipline yourself and you will find you get much more accomplished with regular work hours than working haphazardly – less chaos means less stress.
Use Your Calendar
The beauty of using your calendar is that it can be synced throughout all of your devices – computer, laptop, iPad or tablet, and phone. Put all of your tasks, meetings, appointments on your calendar always. This prevents double booking, missed appointments, forgotten tasks and a whole range of messy chaos that can easily ensue because you’re trying to keep it all in your head. Distractions happen. That nudge from your calendar will keep it all in perspective. Also, consult your calendar every day at the beginning of your work day so that you are aware of what today’s events will be.
Make a To Do List
Even though you have your calendar, a clearly written to do list will save your life, literally. Just make a list of things that need to get done, and pick three to prioritize for each day. This ensures that despite any craziness that pops up during the day, you are well aware that you have three priorities that must get done regardless. Again, discipline yourself to stick to the list and it will become easier to simply shut down any drama or craziness and get you back on track getting things accomplished.
Lose the Clutter Both Paper and Digital
Have you ever had a mountain of mail you needed to go through, and instead of doing that, you just stared at it while it grew into a monster? Or a hundred emails that need your attention? Even better, you cannot find files on your computer because they are all over the place? We’ve all been there and done that!!!
Create a time slot in your work day to go through your emails, open your mail, shred what’s not relevant, and create folders on your computer clearly labeled with the relevant files stored in them. No more rogue files or images that you know you put somewhere but can’t remember where. Same with your paper files – buy yourself a filing cabinet and hanging folders and file relevant paperwork.
Schedule Recharging Time and Come Up For Air
During the day, everyone needs to step away and take 15 minutes to have a cup of tea, sit back and rest or nap (NOT in front of the computer) or take a short walk outside in the fresh air. Whatever works for you to recharge yourself, do it! This is a very necessary exercise that is good for your mind, body and soul. It’s a healthy clearing, a reset, and super refreshing.
Don’t Try to Do Everything Yourself
Not everyone is good at all tasks. Not everyone has the necessary knowledge and experience to do everything. If you need to hire a professional to help you out with various tasks, then by all means do it! Do your due diligence, research various candidates, be mindful of your budget, but don’t waste time trying to do everything yourself. Jack of all trades, master of none. Stick to what you are good at, and comfortable with, and delegate the rest to a professional. Stay focused on what needs doing, and run your business efficiently.