Whether it is your office workload or personal life, time management skills provide effective results, alleviating chaos, stress and last-minute scrambling. Mastering time management also helps you set realistic goals and expectations.
When decision-making improves, one naturally tends to take a pre-planned and proactive approach to avoid negative circumstances and outcome. Overall, this practice results in personal satisfaction and keeps one motivated enough to progress. It can therefore be said that time management is a powerful stress reduction technique that never disappoints if followed diligently.
Let’s understand how time management and stress are interrelated. Think of a workplace scenario with daily or monthly targets, wherein you have to meet deadlines, attend meetings or even collaborate with your colleagues. Time is of paramount importance here. and a person’s efficiency is determined by how meticulously he or she handles every task. Similarly, within one’s personal life, efficient time management is needed to take care of family, prioritise self-care, ensure child care and run any other errands that require your attention.
An article on the Impact Factory website suggests a time management technique called the ‘Eisenhower Matrix’. It states, ’The Eisenhower Matrix tool separates your tasks into four categories based on urgency and importance:
1. Urgent and Important
2. Not Urgent but Important
3. Urgent but Not Important
4. Not Urgent and Not Important
The matrix visually shows what needs your attention now versus what can wait. By prioritising urgent/important work first, you’ll be able to manage your time better.’
If you still feel unable to manage time, make the practice easier by inculcating these daily habits:
1. Identify and prioritise your tasks: This can be achieved using the Eisenhower Matrix technique, as discussed earlier.
2. Create a to-do list or a planner: Organise or line up your tasks and deadlines very clearly, so that you have a clear overview.
3. Break down large tasks: Bigger projects or tasks can be bifurcated into smaller ones, for better focus and efficient handling. This can prevent complicated tasks or goals from overwhelming you.
4. Plan your day wisely: Allot time for each task. Use a calendar or planner to schedule meetings, task completion or simply to ensure you are on track.
5. Minimise all distractions: Pause notifications on various apps or websites, and find a space that is secluded and quiet. If you can, keep your phone away for a while.
6. Prioritise breaks and self-care: Don’t shy away from taking breaks. Find creative ways to relax and unwind during and after the daily rut. –Mindfulness, meditation, a quick nap, or a recreational activity are some ways to achieve this.
If you hold a managerial position, delegate tasks to your team meticulously to draw maximum output that could be beneficial to the whole team.
Lastly, be flexible and adapt to changing circumstances even as you manage time. There will be instances where you may have to shuffle up duties or abruptly reprioritise and reschedule tasks. These situations can help you grow, and develop better reflexes and problem-solving skills. Monitor your time management skills and strategies from a broader perspective, to help with your overall growth.