Time management is a skill which many of us seem to learn through necessity. The problem with learning a skill through necessity is that more often than not is bad habits creep in and while the skill may be useful in general we do not utilize it to its full potential. Taking the time to read-up on improving your time management skills can lead you to the great rewards.
Some examples are:
Time management is a skill which takes time to development moreover perfect. As well it is a skill which is different for everyone. Your best is to try a mixture of different approaches until something clicks in your brain and sticks in your daily routine.
Following are some handful of tips for students:
1) Make Lists:
Write as much down as you can. If you don't carry a planner or notebook already, start. Personally, I've always preferred a small, simple, white-lined notebook because you aren't restricted by the various boxes and lines of the average planner.
An effortless To Do List is frequently a huge help to anyone, but I can attest gleefully to the 3 Lists of 3 Method more than any other. You're goal is to avoid a list that reaches outrageous length and is overwhelming to even look at.
2) Make Use of Down Time:
Using walking, driving, showering, or otherwise "dead" times to plan. Believe about what your goals are for that day or the next day. Judge first that which goals are most important for you? The key for this question is Prioritization.
3) Reward Yourself:
Every time, whenever you achieve something especially the important things, make sure to take the time to reward yourself. A Clockwork Orange author Anthony Burgess' used the "Martini Method" to get things done. Set a goal of Burgess is 1000 words/day. When he finished his word count, he'd relax with a martini and take the day off. Maybe a martini isn't the ideal reward for some of us, but the method stands useful.
4) Concentrate on One Thing:
The mind of human works more efficiently when it is focused. As seen before multitasking is in fact a disadvantage to productivity. Focus on one thing plus get it done. Be careful that not to bleed tasks into each-other. Sometimes, multitasking might seem like a more efficient route but it is probably not.
5) At Any Costs Avoid Procrastination:
Whenever you are trying to be more productive as well as trying to save time, procrastination should be avoided like nothing else. It is critical productivity-killer.
6) Situate Individual Deadlines:
No one likes deadlines in their lives. They cause aggravation, worry, stress and more stress. An assured way to alleviate some of this stress is to set your own earlier deadlines. Always be realistic however demanding of yourself. Challenge yourself and keep referring to tip 3, reward yourself for a meeting a difficult challenge. Not only will this save you time and make you more productive in the long run however you will also have a buffer time with little to no penalties compared to those received for missing a real deadline. Obviously, this tip has potential for abuse so that you make sure to be your own penalties for missing your personal deadlines.
7) Delegate Responsibilities:
It is not unusual for persons to take on more than they can handle. The overestimation of one's abilities, though not necessarily a bad thing, can often result in stress and more work for an individual. To evade this unwanted stress, do not feel bad about delegating tasks.
8) Make a Long Term Planner:
In the day to day drab of life we can often lose sight of our goals. Scheduling of a long-term planner will help you envisage your long-term goals and rationalize your current objectives. Whenever you find yourself thinking "Why am I putting myself through this work right now? I possibly will be home watching Lost." just take a look at your long term planner and you'll be reminded of paying off your mortgage or saving up enough for your child's college tuition. Memorise this long-term planner monthly to keep goals up-to-date.
9) Utilize a program like Rescue Time:
This is a lightweight app which records as well as graphs how you spend your time on your computer. 2 Minutes break is to check out or play a flash game on some web-site or email can add up to quite a bit of wasted productivity and wasted time. Rescue Time will allow you to see exactly how you spent your time also will even send a weekly report to your email.
10) Team Work:
Even though giving up responsibilities is a scary thought for some it is a valuable method to increase standard team productivity of all involved? Make sure team goals are clear and make sure everyone knows who is responsible for given tasks. Be 100% sure that all lines of communication are always open. A clogged or blocked line will have opposite effect on productivity. Offer errands to those who are best suited for them and things will get done faster.
11) Avoid Stress:
Stress occurs when your body and mind can no longer keep up with tasks you demand of them. Do not force yourself to do the impossible. Delegate time for significant tasks but always make sure to leave time for relaxation as well as reflection. Re-examine your current accomplishments and make sure you feel good. Reflection and Review is one among the best habits to achieve confidence and higher confidence means more productivity.
A person that is skilled in time management stands to gain much more from everyday's life compares to the next guy. Utilize these tips in your day to day life and watch the productivity grow.