Ready……Set……Go!

We’ve all heard people say that there’s “never enough time in the day,” and there are many days when it seems like time is just flying by. If you’re finding yourself overwhelmed by tasks that just aren’t getting done and feeling like your productivity and motivation is at an all-time low, it’s time to take control of your time management! What if you I told you there are 5 simple steps to time manage your life, would you believe me?

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All of us have the same 24 hours a day to get things done—the difference is how you choose to use them! There’s no doubt that the pressures of everyday life can leave us feeling stuck and unmotivated, but there are several simple things you can do to boost your daily routine and get back on track. To begin taking control of your precious time, start by incorporating these five simple steps into your everyday life:

1.) Create Detailed To-Do Lists
While some of us make lists for everything, others try to keep track of all their responsibilities in their heads. There’s something to be said for each method, but when you want to get on a better path for time management, lists are the way to go. Making long-term to-do lists can be helpful in keeping your end goal in sight, but break it down even further into detailed daily to-do lists. This will help you to prioritize the tasks at hand, and ultimately reach your long-term goals much quicker!

2) Give Yourself a Time Limit
To-do lists are only helpful if we follow them, and scheduling your time is essential—especially when you have a thousand things a day to accomplish! Incorporate time limits into your daily to-do lists and make a schedule that coincides with everything that you need to get done. By giving yourself a time limit for each task, you have a better chance of staying focused and accomplishing whatever it is that you need to get done.

3.) Learn Your Boundaries
There’s one essential word that should be used when it comes to time management, and that word is “No.” If you allow others to put an immense burden on you with tasks that take away from your priorities, having boundaries is the key to time management. Sure, there’s always going to be things that you do simply to help others, but remember that your time is precious as well, and it is ok to pass on saying yes to things that will just weigh you down.

4.) Eliminate Distractions
We’re all guilty of letting small annoyances, social media, and other non-essential tasks distract us from the things that must get done. When doing something that requires intense focus, resist the urge to open up Facebook or play mindless games on your phone. Using a timer can help greatly in giving you the motivation to complete a task before taking a five or 10-minute mental break for doing something that is fun.

5.) Strike a Balance in Your Life
In reality, to-do lists are never-ending, and it can easily backfire on your motivation if you spend your days with all work and no play. You deserve to have a balance of joy and work in your life, and creating a time management plan can give you that freedom. When making up your daily schedule, be sure to block in time for doing something that is important to you—whether that’s taking a long walk, playing with the kids, or diving into a creative pastime.

Even for the most creative and free-spirited people, having a solid grasp of time management is essential for keeping your feet on the ground and moving forward in life. Be bold and take a bite out of life! Have the courage to follow your dreams, if you need some inspiration, read my previous blog about how to do this. When we embrace the beauty of structure, we can find excellent opportunities to let go of what’s not wanted and allow in everything that life has to offer. Now how about making that “ME” time count?!