5 Time Management Hacks To Implement Today

Everybody gets the same 24 hours to spend per day, but not everybody knows how to utilize those hours effectively. Some people perfectly manage to fit all their professional and personal duties each day and even have a couple of hours to spare to take on a hobby or have some rest and relaxation. On the other hand, some people find it difficult to even finish all their work tasks for the day, let alone spend some time on something they deem unproductive.

This is where time management comes in.

When you manage your time wisely, you’ll find that you can do more things in less time. Not only will this leave you feeling accomplished, it will also make your life so much better. Imagine having plenty of hours each day to spend on doing what you love and not having to worry about any unfinished business. Your life will definitely be less stressful.

For a home based virtual assistant, managing time wisely is incredibly important if you want to learn how make money online the easier way. A virtual office assistant who is excellent at time management will be able to take on more jobs and finish them quickly.

If you’re looking to maximize your hours, here are 5 time management hacks to implement today.

Finish the most urgent and important tasks first.

Before you start doing anything for the day, break down your tasks (both professional and personal) into Stephen Covey’s quadrants:

Once you’ve placed each task into their corresponding quadrant, start working on the tasks on the first quadrant (important and urgent) at once. Once you’ve finished the tasks on that quadrant, you can then turn to the second quadrant (important but not urgent) and choose which ones to work on. Avoid spending time on quadrant three (urgent but not important) and delegate them instead. Lastly,  limit the time you spend on quadrant four (not urgent and not important) as these are mostly time wasters.

Wake up early.

Starting your day early gives you the perception that you have more hours to spend on your tasks. Maximize the energy that the daylight provides and get started early. Wake up before or around sunrise and have a nice cup of coffee or a healthy breakfast. You can even squeeze in some workout to help you get energized. After working on your health, start planning your day, and then get to work!

Set hard deadlines for yourself.

If you really want to be efficient, you have to be proactive. It’s important to set deadlines for yourself to ensure that you’re actually doing something with your time. For work tasks especially, try to set your deadline sooner than your actual estimated time of completion. This way, you’ll push yourself to finish your goal as efficiently as possible.

Track the time you spend on tasks.

There are plenty of time tracking tools around for your mobile phone or computer, so take advantage of them. You can use Toggl for free to track the time you spend on tasks to maximize productivity and ensure that you’re still on target. Know more about Toggl in this very nifty article by Time Doctor. You can also use a Pomodoro timer if you want to be reminded of when to take a break and when to focus. Choose a method that works best for you and find an app that will help you put that time tracking method into practice.

Take a break.

Taking breaks to maximize time might seem counterproductive, but it’s actually the opposite. Taking a break helps your brain reboot and allows you to replenish your energy. A short nap or a walk around the block can work wonders for your focus and attentiveness, so don’t forget to take a short break every now and then. If you’re still feeling doubtful about breaks taking a chunk of your time, incorporate them into your schedule. This way, you can still be certain that you’re right on track for everything you scheduled for the day.

“Work smarter not harder” is one of the most popular mottos these days, and it’s not difficult to see why. When you manage your time well and work efficiently, you’ll get more things done while still having more time for yourself.

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