Why is Time Management Important

Time management is essential if you want to be able to get all your tasks done when you need them to be done by.  If you are struggling with keeping your to-do list down and you feel stressed and flustered a lot in your business, then this will help you.  I have 5 time management tips that will help you track your time and be more productive in your lives and business.

What is Time Management

Time Management is a way to keep your tasks and your focus for each day.  It helps you to know exactly when you need to do things by and keeps you on track for your goals.  It has what has helped me turn from the girl who was busy doing nothing in her business and not knowing what tasks she needed to be doing, and quite honestly, not getting anything done.  I am now more productive, I am on track for my goals for the next month, 3 months and year.  I know exactly what I need to do and I am getting it all done.

What do I need?

For time management you don’t need anything fancy, or even a  planner.  It’s not essential for this.  All you need is a cheap time-slotted diary to keep you productive.  It doesn’t have to be expensive. I also like to use a folder or binder.  If you have just a time-slotted diary though, this will be enough for the moment.  If you want to find out what sort of things I put in my folder for my blog then you can find that blog post here.

How do I manage my time?

The first thing I do, at the end of each month, or week is to

• Write down all the tasks you need to do in your business and life.
• Split the list up into business and family
• Those two lists then need to be split into important and not important
• Put each of those lists in order of importance.
• Then put your important family list into your diary at the appropriate times.
• Do the same for the important business tasks, none-important family, and none-important business.
• Don’t forget to put in the time for relaxing, reading, family time, etc.

Five Time Management.

1. Time Blocking

Put all your tasks into your diary or planner every week, or month using the method above.  Blocking out your time for everything in your life and business is really valuable.  It means that you now in advance when you are working and when you aren’t.  You can then do the tasks when you have planned to do them.  This should help to keep you more focused.  I loved my Filofax.  I used the A5 size because I found it gave me just enough space to write it all down in.  I have since gone digital, and love it even more.

2. Use a Timer

A timer will be really useful too. I use my FitBit Blaze, it has a stopwatch and countdown feature on it, just an app on my phone.  If you search pomodoro timer is usually brings up some really good ones that use the pomodora technique.  It’s a fantastic techniue that gives you a 25 timer to one task, then 5 minutes break.  It does this 3 times and then gives you a longer break.  It’s amazing for productivity.

3. Block off distractions

If you struggle with focus, even when you have all your days planned out, then you can use a distraction blocker.  This will really help to block off the apps you use to procrastinate, such as social media websites. I don’t use a distraction blocker myself because my planner and timer keep me focused and I like to try and do as much as I can in that time.  If you search distraction blocker in a search engine though, you will find a fair few.  I know it’s not easy for everyone to shut themselves away and the technology always calls you to check it too.

4. Learn to say No

This is one I struggle with myself, but I’m working on this.  It’s hard to say no. You have so many demands on your time and everyone and their mother seem to want you when you are supposed to be working.  It’s easy to stop what you are doing and say “yes sir, how high” when they ask you to jump.  I’ve done it, and I still do on occasions.

I’m learning that when you have a dedicated work time and you are properly time blocked EVERYTHING in your life, then you need to stick to it.  Other people will realise that you have to work at those times and your body and brain will eventually get into work mode during those times too.

Next time someone asks you if you can drop everything because they have a day off work and want you to go shopping, say NO and arrange for a time when you are not working.  You can also book these shopping and coffee times with family or friends in advance so that you know that you are doing that and not working during those times.  It doesn’t have to be a rigid schedule at all.

5. Have deadlines

I know that when you work for yourself, you feel like you have all the time in the world to get some tasks done.  All this does, it gives you an excuse to put it off.  Set yourself deadlines.  Give yourself like a month to get your Webinar Created, or 3 months to write the first draft of your book.  However big, or small that the deadline is, do it. It really helps because then you can work backwards from that date in your diary and actually schedule in all the tasks you need to do to complete that goal for that deadline.

That will really help for you to focus.  You know that if you want to hit that deadline and get your reward, (whatever you decide) you will need to do the tasks you have put in your diary when they are there.

Time Management

I’m not going to say it’s easy to first keep this up. It will be hard and I know that for me, I used to procrastinate when I had to plan my week or month out.  It does get easier though, especially when you start to get your things done and you will feel so much better when it’s completed.

My best advice is that when you first do this, just focus on changing this one thing.  Keep it up for a whole month at least, before you decide if it is for you or not.

Skipped to the end?

My tip 5 time management tips are

1. Time Blocking
2. Use a Timer
3. Block off distractions
4. Learn to say no
5. Have deadlines