Do you feel like you're spinning your wheels, not getting anywhere?
If so, it might be time to take a good, hard look at your behaviors. Are you being too soft on yourself? Are you treating your schedule like a suggestion rather than a commandment?
You don't need to be a drill sergeant, but time is money! Actually, time is even more valuable than money because you can't buy more of it!
So how do you become a ruthless Time Commander?
First, set some clear goals. Then, make a plan to get there. Be honest with yourself about what you can actually accomplish in a given timeframe. Then, make a to-do list. I know, it sounds boring. But trust me, it's like a roadmap to success. Without it, you're just wandering aimlessly through the desert of life, hoping you stumble upon an oasis! Finally, prioritize. Not all tasks are created equal. Some are like little gnats buzzing around your head, while others are like big ol' mosquitoes sucking the life out of you.
While you do this, focus on the following 8 things to be ruthless with time and become a Time Management Master.
1. Just Say "No"
Let's talk about the magical word "no." It can feel like jumping out of a plane with a faulty parachute, especially when you've got FOMO (fear of missing out) or you're worried about hurting someone's feelings. But sometimes, you just gotta do it.
We live in a world where everyone wants a piece of us. Our time, our money, our attention. You need to say "no" to things that don't align with your goals and set boundaries.
Think of it this way - every time you say "yes" to something you don't really want to do, you're saying "no" to something else. Maybe it's a night in with a good book, or maybe it's pursuing a passion project. Either way, you're missing out on something that could bring you joy and fulfillment.
So, next time someone asks you to help out on their llama farm, or attend a 4-hour meeting on the benefits of kale, ask yourself - is this really worth my time and energy? And if the answer is "no", then say it with me - "NOOOOOOOO!" (preferably in a dramatic voice, with jazz hands)
2. Try To Be Early
Be fashionably early. It sounds crazy. But hear me out. Being late is not just stressful for you, it's a nightmare for the people you're meeting. They're sitting there twiddling their thumbs, scrolling through their phone, and wishing they had a time machine to go back and book someone else. Don't even get me started on how unprofessional it makes you look. It's like saying, "Hey, I don't really care about this meeting, but I'm here because I have to be."
So, how do you avoid this nightmare? Plan ahead! Don't just guess how long it will take you to get somewhere, plan it out and leave some cushion. And if you've been late in the past, add an extra hour or two to your travel time. You might get there super early, but at least you'll have time to explore the area, catch up on some reading, or start a new hobby.
There are also all those unexpected events. Life is unpredictable. Maybe a unicorn crosses your path, or a herd of turtles decides to cross the road. Who knows? That's why there has to be some wiggle room in your schedule. It's like a safety net for your punctuality.
3. Turn Off Your Technology
It's hard to resist the urge to check your phone every 30 seconds, but your social media feed can wait. And don't get sucked into those never-ending email notifications that make you feel like you're constantly on call for the CIA. It's time to take a break from the digital world and give your brain a chance to breathe.
Imagine your brain’s a phone battery. Constantly being bombarded by notifications and distractions would be like running multiple power-hungry apps all at once. Not only will it drain your battery faster, but it's also a sure-fire way to overheat your device. Save your phone and give it a break from the constant barrage of alerts. Disconnect from the Matrix for a few minutes and see how much smoother things run when you come back.
4. Understand Your Internal Clock
Pay attention to your body clock - no, not the one that tell us it's time to hit the snooze button for the tenth time, your internal body clock, also known as your circadian rhythm. This fancy term regulates our sleep-wake cycles making us feel sleepy at night and alert during the day. But our modern lifestyles can really mess with this natural rhythm. We stay up late binging on Netflix, or scroll through social media until the wee hours of the morning, and then we wonder why we can barely keep our eyes open during the day.
Fear not, my sleep-deprived friends, there are ways to reset your internal alarm clock and get back on track. First, get your butt to bed for at least 7 hours of sleep each night. Second, try to wake up at the same time every day, even on weekends. Sleeping in until noon on a Sunday sounds like heaven, but it can throw off your body's natural rhythm and leave you feeling groggier than a hibernating bear.
5. Calendar It
Do you often struggle to keep up with everything on your to-do list? The solution: calendar everything! Even the boring stuff like cleaning out your closet or flossing your teeth. Trust me, scheduling these tasks will make your life so much easier. You'll never forget to buy toilet paper again!
When you're planning out your schedule, don't forget to make time for some seriously indulgent "me time." I'm talking about things like a luxurious bubble bath with your rubber duckie or a Netflix binge, sprawled on the couch covered in crumbs from a constant stream of munchies. Maybe even hire a masseuse to give you a back rub while feeding you grapes and reciting poetry. Whatever floats your boat (or relaxes you), just make sure to schedule it in and stick to it. Your mental health will thank you, and your inner sloth will do a happy chair dance.
Now, I know what you're thinking - "But won't scheduling every little thing make me feel even more stressed?" Not at all! In fact, it'll ease your inner control freak. You'll be able to prioritize your time and resources more effectively, and you'll never miss an important deadline or event again!
6. Make Lists
Managing time is easy, right? Just cram all your tasks into the day and hope for the best! But if you're tired of feeling like a hot mess express, listen up.
To truly master time management, you’ve got to make lists and break things down into bite-sized pieces and track how long each one takes. That way, you'll know exactly how much time to set aside for each task. And please, don't try to do too much at once. You're not a superhero, you're a mere mortal with a finite amount of energy. Take it easy and tackle one task at a time. You might even finish your to-do list before happy hour!
7. Avoid Meetings
Meetings. The ultimate time-suck. But fear not, for there are ways to avoid these mind-numbing, soul-crushing gatherings. First and foremost, make sure you actually have a purpose for the meeting. And no, 'just because' doesn't count. Have a clear agenda and objectives in mind, and only invite the people who are necessary to achieve those objectives. No need to bring in the entire office to discuss the color of the company logo.
Speaking of people, make sure they're prepared. Nothing's worse than showing up to a meeting only to find out you have no idea what's going on. Send out any relevant information beforehand and give everyone a chance to review it. And for the love of productivity, start and end the meeting on time. Don't let it drag on for hours while everyone's mind slowly melts away.
Also, don't forget the breaks and refreshments. It's hard to focus when your stomach's growling like a grizzly bear, so throw in some snacks and give everyone a chance to stretch their legs.
8. Touch “It” Only Once
You're probably reading this while putting off something important, but let's talk about breaking that habit, shall we? We all have those tasks that we just can't seem to start, but the truth is, procrastination only leads to stress and disaster.
So, here's a tip: touch "it" only once. No, not that "it"... I'm talking about the task at hand. When you're tempted to put it off, just do it then and there. Once you get in the habit of tackling things right away, you'll be amazed at how much more productive and less stressed you feel. So stop procrastinating and touch that task only once. Unless it's pizza, then you can touch it as many times as you want - I won't judge
Time management is no joke. If you think you can work like a machine for twelve to twenty hours a day without any breaks, you're in for a rude awakening. Even machines need to recharge their batteries!
To manage your time effectively, you need to set goals and deadlines, and actually stick to them, while not forgetting the importance of taking breaks and giving yourself some TLC. This means scheduling in time for things we love, like binge-watching our favorite shows, indulging in your favorite hobby, or taking a well-deserved nap.
Don't be too hard on yourself or try to overdo it. Instead, be realistic, take some time for yourself, and watch how much more productive you can be. Remember, time is money, but happiness is priceless.
For more guidance to improve your time management, check out our Time Management 4 Lesson E-Book Course. Filled with valuable information and insights at our Wellness Resolve shop. Get your course HERE.