{"id":1619,"date":"2022-12-09T15:31:30","date_gmt":"2022-12-09T15:31:30","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/project.co\/?p=1619"},"modified":"2024-07-09T10:13:59","modified_gmt":"2024-07-09T10:13:59","slug":"time-management-strategies","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/project.co\/time-management-strategies\/","title":{"rendered":"5 of the BEST Time Management Strategies"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Last updated on 18th June 2024<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Imagine that when you woke up this morning $86,400 had been deposited into your bank account.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It\u2019s not a mistake or a trick. It\u2019s yours. The only catch is that tomorrow it will be removed and you\u2019ll never be able to get it back.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

You\u2019re probably going to spend as much of it as you can, right?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Now let\u2019s look at this from a different perspective. We\u2019re given 86,400 seconds every single day – and once they\u2019re gone, they\u2019re gone. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

That\u2019s why time management is SO important! <\/p>\n\n\n\n

In this article, we\u2019re going to go through 5 of the BEST time management strategies that you can use to get the most out of every single second\u2026<\/p>\n\n\n\n

1. Divide your day into manageable chunks<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Dividing up your day, also known as \u2018time blocking\u2019, is a great way to visualise what you\u2019ve got to do and ensure you have enough time to do it. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Time blocking is useful for pencilling in your day-to-day tasks, but it can also help you chip away at bigger goals you have for the future. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Here\u2019s an example of a full day\u2019s schedule using time blocking with the Google calendar app: <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"google<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

As you can see, every minute of the day is accounted for. There are even windows for lunch and checking emails. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

This is important because it will help to keep your focus on the task you\u2019re working on. For example, while working on Project B you should be able to resist the urge to check emails because you have time allocated to do that later. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Two of the most important tasks in the above image are \u2018setting an intention\u2019 and \u2018reflecting on the day\u2019.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

With just 10 minutes, these tasks can make sure your day starts and ends in the best possible way.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Setting an intention will help you create a clear focus for the day. This can be something practical, like finally completing a big project you\u2019ve been working on. Or it can be something small but effective, like committing to a positive attitude. <\/p>\n\n\n

\n <\/i>Expert Tip\n<\/div>\n
\n Whenever you feel like you\u2019re losing track of the day, come back to your intention and use that as your motivation to be more productive.\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n

Similarly, reflecting at the end of your day can help you to improve how you manage your time in the future. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Think about what went well, and what didn\u2019t go so well. And consider how you would do things differently next time.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This is also a great time to go through your task list. Pat yourself on the back for the tasks you ticked off, and remind yourself to move tasks that you didn\u2019t complete onto the next day.<\/p>\n\n\n

\n <\/i>Recommended Article\n<\/div>\n
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How to Get Stuff Done with Time Blocking<\/a><\/div>\n
Constantly busy and can\u2019t see an end in sight? Just want to have more control over your day? Time blocking can help!<\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n

2. Give yourself time to procrastinate<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

When you\u2019re trying to get the most out of your day, it may sound counter-intuitive to plan<\/em> to procrastinate. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

However, if you\u2019re one of those people that just can\u2019t help it, allowing yourself to procrastinate (guilt free!<\/em>) can actually help<\/em> your productivity. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

According to Joseph Ferrari, a professor of psychology at DePaul University<\/a>, as many as 20% of people may be chronic procrastinators<\/strong>. If this sounds like you then according to him:<\/p>\n\n\n

\n \u201cIt really has nothing to do with time management. To tell the chronic procrastinator to \u2018just do it\u2019 would be like saying to a clinically depressed person, \u2018just cheer up\u2019.\u201d<\/em><\/strong>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n

So, instead of trying to fight your urge to procrastinate, you may find you\u2019ll manage your time more effectively if you create short 5-10 minute slots especially for procrastinating. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

While you\u2019re working, make sure that the task at hand has your undivided attention. If you get the urge to check your social media accounts, or your emails, or google a random fact, don\u2019t give in – wait until you\u2019re allocated procrastination time.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This will ensure you give your all to your tasks and get the most out of your time. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

If procrastination is something you really struggle with then the Pomodoro technique could help you even further. This is the process of breaking tasks into small, 30 minute chunks. You spend 25 minutes on and then have 5 minutes off to do whatever you want!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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3. Use a project management tool<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Where would we be without software? <\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

We use it to work out (with the help of smart watches!<\/em>), we use it to find our way around (thanks to Sat-Navs<\/em>) and we use it to communicate with others (through emails, social media, and so on<\/em>).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

So it should come as no surprise that software, like project management tools, can help you to better manage your time. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

A project management<\/a> tool allows you to visualise the tasks that you need to complete for the day, the week, or even the year.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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And, with a team project management tool like Project.co<\/a> you can even assign different tasks to different team members and track the time spent on each project.<\/p>\n\n\n

\n <\/i>Statistic\n<\/div>\n
\n While 64% of people say they have a good understanding of where their projects are up to \u2013 this rises to 83% when they primarily use a project management tool to communicate with both their co-workers and clients.\n
\n Source: <\/strong>Project.co Communication Statistics <\/a>\n <\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n

Project management software can help you to keep everything you need to manage in one place, while also helping you to better understand how your employees are managing their time, and which projects are the most profitable.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

4. Quit multitasking<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

You may think that multitasking helps you to get more out of your day, but scientific research suggests otherwise.<\/p>\n\n\n

\n <\/i>Statistic\n<\/div>\n
\n Balancing more than one task at a time can hinder employee performance. And, on an individual level, multitasking can lower IQs by around 15 points<\/strong>, while also decreasing your emotional intelligence and brain density over time.\n
\n Source: <\/strong>Bryan College<\/a>\n <\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n

That’s some pretty scary data! But, fear not. Here are some suggestions to help you avoid multitasking:<\/p>\n\n\n\n