Now that I’m spread thinning that I care for (between the new role, Ignite, and oh, we are selling our home), time management is on the top of my mind lately. So I thought I would highlight a few tips that help me stay focused, productive and mentally sane… well at least most of the time.
- A list is your friend. Aside from the amazing feeling of giving yourself a checkmark, I find it helpful as it helps my brain from not spinning. You know when you brain keeps repeating things so you don’t forget anything. Once I write it down, my brain lets go and focuses on the task at hand. Personally, I use Trello for my list right now. I’m so dependent on it that when trello went down for a day, I was at a complete loss of how to function.
- Be proactive in your lists. I set deadlines or target dates to work on something. Often, well in advance of when it’s actually due. Things always come up in the last minute so knowing I’m ahead on other things (especially routine items) is comforting. For example, I write these blog posts and my newsletters usually a month or more before they actually go out. The lives are different – those are in the moment but things that I can write, I stay way ahead of the schedule. I’m writing this one only one month ahead and it’s stressing me out – lol. I’ll likely write the next two months next to give myself a buffer again.
- Don’t multi-task. I know it’s tempting. But study after study has shown that you are not as efficient nor effective as you think you are. I am extremely good at this. I’ll narrow in and do one task. Even if I have other things, what’s next on my list and focus there until it’s done before moving on. A trick to doing this is timebox. For example, I gave myself 30 minutes today to write blog posts before my next meeting. I’ll do only blog posts during that time (turned off push notification on email, slack, etc). Often, I am done before the timebox and able to truly switch gears to the next thing without my brain still focused on the last task.
- Say no or not right now. I am not as good at this as I recommend others to be. But managing how much you are tackling at any one time even with the tips above – makes a difference. With everything going on in my life right now, I’m at max. If someone approached me with a big opportunity, I would either have to pass or figure out what gives in my current list. I know, tough choices but necessary to keep your mental health positive.
- Adjust task based on energy/interest. There are some days that I’ll put a task done for that day but my motivation is just low. That’s the beauty of being proactive – I can delay the task no problem. I need to have the right energy for the task. If I try writing on the new book when my energy or interest is not there, it’s just going to be painful and a waste of my time ultimately.
What is your time management tip?
