Time: Yesterday is history, tomorrow is a mystery, today is a gift. That’s why we call it the present.
Everyone has the same amount of time to work with on a daily basis, but some use it better than others. Why? Have some people figured out how to better optimize their work hours with advanced time management skills? Are they more cognizant of how precious time is, or are they like the majority of people who may not give the concept more than a fleeting thought?
There have been many books written on time management and how to become more productive. Even if you have not read them, you likely have a general sense of what they are going to teach.
Instead of focusing on how to maximize the hours in your day, let’s looks at some reasons people do not leverage and use their time well or constructively.
Below is my take on the top five time management inhibitors. A few of the ideas may not be new to you, but others may provide insight into why, if you are in the majority, you do not recognize time as a precious gift.
- The perception of time is skewed and not realistic because of the limiting belief that there is an unlimited supply.
- Many people just go about their day, even when they have a schedule, with a relaxed sense of having more time than they actually do.
- Not having a command of time management practices, either because they have not developed any, or because they have not considered this an essential life skill to master.
- Having no internal drive. Having any sense of motivation can significantly heighten a sense of the importance of maximizing time.
- Awareness of time, and how quickly it can pass when you do not manage your day. Of course, building time into your schedule to relax and sleep are naturally factored into your time each day, but some people may be more prone to doing or needing more of these two activities than others.
Now, here are five simple ways to maximize your time.
- Create a weekly schedule. It does not have to be detailed. Be sure to factor in activities such as exercise, preparation of healthy meals, and mini mental health breaks.
- At the end of each month, create a list of goals you want to accomplish either professionally or personally the next month. The list does not have to be outrageous or unattainable, but you could include some that are longer-term mixed in with short-term goals.
- Take a few minutes to think about how you are currently using your time. Are you simply going through the motions of waking up, going to work, coming home, and hitting repeat? If this is the case, think about incorporating some activities into your day that you can eagerly anticipate. Having something to look forward to either each day, or multiple days of the week, is highly motivating.
- Break your day into segments. I’m a morning person, so when I know I have to get something done which is not a thing I either like to do, or need to have intense concentration on. I plan to get it finished ASAP. Granted, you do not always have control over the ideal time to get things done, but if you can divide each day into planned segments you will find you will get more accomplished.
- Build rewards into your schedule. Make sure your day is broken up with items such as taking a walk, getting a cup of coffee, spending a limited time on social media to catch up on current events. Include time to interact socially with either co-workers or friends. Or perhaps a mix of the two – who knows what will happen.
Our minds work better, and we tend to have increased energy and the ability to concentrate, when we have a command of our time.
None of us can save time in a bottle, but these points to ponder should help you consider how you spend your time. Ideally, you’ll become more productive and have a heightened sense of how precious time really is.
Kathleen E. R. Murphy is the Founder, Chief Strategist and CMO of Market Me Too. Market Me Too has expertise in bridging marketing and sales teams and providing organizations techniques to accelerate their market growth and revenue numbers, regardless of the industry they are in, or the business stage they are presently at. We also work with individuals from students to executives and business and sports teams to coach them to learn how to leverage and apply their peak performance talents on a daily basis. Contact Kathleen at kathymurphy@me.com.
Announcement: I will be publishing my first business book this month. If you would like more details about my book, please send me an email at kathymurphy@me.com . Thank you. – Kathy