7 Smart Ways to Manage Time Effectively

Most people have a lot on their plate when it comes to managing their routine tasks. Work, family, life activities, and other social necessities, just to name a few. Unless you are running ahead of time, your day becomes hectic and never seems to come to an end.

In these testing times, time management proves vital!

To help you manage your time effectively in these chaotic times, we have provided 7 effective time management tips.

Do give it a read!

1. Use Time-Management Applications

We are living in a smart world and are continuously surrounded by various smart devices, one of which is our cellphone. Our smartphones have numerous applications related to health, social media, games, study, work, etc. They could majorly distract you from important tasks.

However, you can use your smartphone in a smart way as well!

Your phone can be used as a scheduling device to plan the activities of your whole day. You can create to-do lists, checklists, calendars, add notes, add timings, etc. You can even add milestones and targets to your phone’s calendar and set reminders as well.

Some additional applications that are specifically made for this task are Evernote and Trello. You can download them to organize your day as well.

Finally, always remember that you can delete any such app from your phone that you think hinders your productivity or proves to be a waste of time.

2. Keep Your Mental and Physical Well-Being in Check

Though most people think that multitasking comes at the cost of your physical and mental health, that is not true!

Your physical and mental well-being will allow you to perform multiple tasks at hand more efficiently and effectively. If you are physically or mentally exhausted, then no matter how well you plan, you won’t be able to achieve the targets.

So, the first thing that you need to do is to ensure you have appropriate sleep. Keep a consistent sleeping schedule. Furthermore, make sure that you walk for at least 20 minutes a day. If you like, you may indulge in some sort of physical activity during the day.

Lastly, you need to keep your diet in check. Do not skip meals while running to the office. Always have a balanced and healthy diet and regularly visit a doctor to have a full-body checkup.

3. Create Checklists or To-Do Lists for Reminder

Don’t steer blankly through the day. Instead, make to-do lists or some kind of checklists that remind you of your tasks for the day.

Sometimes, when you have a lot to do, you tend to forget a task or two. So, these checklists will help you remember your tasks, and you will have the satisfaction of checking the tasks off the list once you are done.

Some useful tips that may come in handy for creating checklists are as follows:

• Use multiple colors to differentiate your tasks for the day. For example, you can use each different color for high and low priority tasks or daily and weekly tasks.

• Use an app to create a checklist. Use your most used smart device for this purpose.

• Plan a small reward of time, treat, or activity every time you complete a task. That will give you a fulfilling feeling.

• Plan the checklist according to your task priority. Write the important tasks at the top, and the less important ones can follow.

4. Write Down Your Daily Routine or Tasks

“Oh, I do these things daily!” “Of course, I am going to remember what I need to do!” These are the things most people say to themselves at the start of the day. However, towards the end of the day or week, they end up regretting because they have missed some tasks that they had to do in the first place.

Do you also want to regret like those people? Do you also want to ruin your sleep and mental peace knowing that there are still things to do?

No, right?

So, it is better that you note down your tasks. This way, you will remember what you have to do, and it will act as a reminder all the time as well. This isn’t just a tip for daily tasks. In fact, you can do this for major milestones as well.

For instance, before school starts, you can note down that you need to buy stationary, record lectures, check timetables, etc.

5. Make a Strict Routine and Follow it Religiously

Most people like to go with the flow and spend their days and weeks as they come. However, this may not be a wise strategy if you are involved in multiple activities.

So, we recommend that you create a routine. Fix your sleeping and eating schedules. Also, ensure that you arrive at places (office, home, activity center, college, university, school) at fixed times and leave from there at a fixed time as well.

Never forget to keep some free time in your routine, in case you just want to relax or have an extra thing to do someday.

Following a routine is the smartest way to get multiple things done without stressing yourself.

6. Be Organized

Keep all the things that you need for your daily routine organized properly. For instance, if you are a student, make sure that all your notes and books are properly organized.

You need to look for the best organizational method that suits your lifestyle and temperament.

Some people like to create folders, while others rely on digital sources more. Some of the ways in which you can organize your documents and things are as follows:

• If you want to avoid a lot of paperwork, use digital means.

• Use whiteboards to note down things and where they are kept.

• Use a cork board to pin the things that you can’t carry all the time.

• Fix some time in your daily routine to go over things and their organization.

• Keep your workplace, rooms, dorms, etc., organized as well.

7. Don’t be an “All Work and No Fun” Kind of a Person

Your day, weeks, and month shouldn’t be all about work. You are a human, not a robot. Remember when we said that your physical and mental health is equally important. We meant it!

Fun is important! Do take out time to go out with your friends, socialize and take part in fun activities. You know yourself better, and you know the activities or hobbies that help you relax and rejuvenate.

Don’t get overwhelmed with work. Or if you do, just take a break and have some fun with your friends or acquaintances.

Summing Up the Time Management Tips!

Now, when you have created a checklist, noted down your tasks, and have formulated a routine, make sure you don’t get distracted. Otherwise, all these efforts will be wasted!

Time management isn’t as stressful as you think it to be. You can have fun and still perform multiple tasks in a day if you plan ahead.

So, don’t stress and follow these 7 tips to effectively manage your