Do you often think time is slipping out of your hands? Do you ever feel like you have too many things to do but 24 hours are not enough hours to get everything done? Do you find yourself thinking time is working against you?
If the answer is yes, then you are in the right place. In this blog, we will explore six effective time management hacks that will increase your productivity and make you a pro at time management.
Michael Altshuler once said, “The bad news is time flies and the good news is you are the pilot”. Although it seems like time has its own mind and is out of our control, with the right hacks, we can be the pilot and use it as per our requirements.
So, let’s look into the hacks fast.
Write it down
Yes, you read it right. You may think writing all your tasks is going to require more time and you can finish some work in the meantime. But what writing things down does is help you sort out your schedules beforehand. That way you can be more organized and have a clear picture of all the work that needs to be done.
Famous CEOs have admitted that writing down tasks beforehand helps them to be more focused and accountable. You can maintain a simple notepad or even your smartphone to create a to-do list. There are many task management apps such as Todoist, Trello, etc. Download it and get started!
Follow Eisenhower Priority Matrix
Eisenhower Priority Matrix is a time management technique where tasks are categorized into the four-quadrant diagram as per importance and urgency.
The four categories are as such:
Urgent & important: These types of tasks require the highest attention. So, perform these tasks first.
Important but not urgent: Schedule such tasks for a later time so you do not forget to get them done.
Urgent but not important: These types of tasks require attention but aren’t necessarily significant to your productivity. So, delegate these tasks to other people if possible to lessen your workload.
Not urgent and not important: Tasks that fall into this category should be eliminated. Don’t waste your time doing such work.
Have some downtime
It’s okay to take a break. Don’t allocate all your time to work. Keep some free time where you can do whatever you want. This way your brain gets time to relax and you will get reenergized to resume work with new zeal.
Understand Parkinson’s Law
Cyril Northcote Parkinson made an interesting statement regarding time management. He said, “Work will expand to fill the time allotted for its completion”. What this notion refers to is, the more time you assign to a task, the higher the possibility of procrastination.
So, don’t think about how much time you have to complete the work, rather think about how much time you really need to complete it without affecting the result. Set a deadline and work accordingly.
Apply Time Blocking
Just like the name suggests, time blocking is a technique to block some part of the day for important tasks. Elon Musk uses the time-blocking method more specifically the “5-minute rule” to ensure 100% productivity.
Well, you don’t need to be Elon Musk, but what you can do is block time for particular tasks; for example, 1 hour for presentation making or 30 minutes for emails, etc. Give your undivided attention to the task during the block. This way the chance of distraction becomes very less. The time-blocking method is helpful for ADHD people.
Find your productive hour
No one is productive all day long. Everyone has a particular time during the day when they feel most energetic and productive.
To understand your peak productivity hour, take note of your energy levels and productivity throughout the day. If you are most productive in the morning, then schedule your most critical and challenging work for the morning. By doing so, you will be able to complete tasks efficiently within the established deadline.
So, What do you think of these hacks? Are you going to apply these hacks in your day-to-day life? Let us know your opinion in the comment box.
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Writer,
Kaneta Islam
Intern
Content Writing Department, YSSE