"If
it weren't for the last minute, nothing would get done,"
said a wisecracking piece of stationery I once came across in
a store. But if you were to learn proper time management
tips, you wouldn't need that procrastinator's motivator
of a last minute in the first place. Here are some useful time
management tips to help keep you and your time in tip-top
shape:
1.
Delegate. Recent studies show that multitasking, rather than
being an asset, is actually quite detrimental to productivity,
as opposed to focusing on one job at a time. You cannot do everything
by yourself. You are not superhuman after all. Know your limits
and don't be afraid to say "no" to more work or get
others to share the load.
2.
Don't procrastinate. All this does is pile up your work, making
it even more daunting. And the more daunting it is, the less
you'll be inclined to work on it, and the more you'll put it
off. It's a vicious cycle, indeed. So another time management
tip is to break the task apart into several tiny, more manageable
pieces. Work on these pieces one at a time and before you know
it, you have conquered the project in its entirety.
3.
Personalize. Work on your workspace so that it is conducive
to productivity. Get rid of distractions, but do what works
best for you. Some people prefer a desk that is the epitome
of organization. But if your clutter is your very life source,
the fuel from which you derive all of your creative energy,
then keep the mess-as long as it's organized mess, meaning you
know exactly where everything is so that you don't waste precious
time scrounging around for this paper or anything else you might
need.
4.
Reward yourself for a job well done. Hard-earned rewards can
be added motivation, goals toward which you can strive. They
make work that much more satisfying and fulfilling.
Time
is such an invaluable resource. So simply follow these time
management tips and actually get things done - right on
time and without ever having to rely on the last minute.