The essence of time management is NOT to waste time on unproductive activities. In order to not wasting time on trivial activities, the key is to plan, prioritize and organize your works both at home and the office. Prioritizing your works will ensure that you’re only spending time on important activities and tasks. This will help reducing the stress you may have.
To help you focus on important tasks, keep a diary or journal where you can list down your objectives and schedules. This can help you assess your duty and focus on the important things that must get done first. This not only can help you reduce stress but also give you reason to reject other unscheduled tasks that are trying to take up your time.
Scheduling And Listing
Always try to write or list down the tasks you’re supposed to do. Will you do the grocery first? What time will you pick up your kid at home? Sometimes, giving time even to tiniest task for the day can provide you time allowance to perform your other task. To beat or reduce stress, you must learn how to prioritize successfully.
Start your day everyday by picking the most important task you need to complete and finish it. If you are new in making lists, never put more than five things in your list. That way, you are more likely to finish all your tasks for the day, and provide you the feeling of accomplishment and greater sense of control. Then, by the time you are getting the hang of things, move on to making your second five-item list.
Another good tip to reduce stress through proper time management is learning to delegate your works. There are times when you feel that you have too many things to do but have so little time. When this happens, make a list of the things that you can delegate to family members or co-workers. Learning how to delegate can help avoid stress from building up.
In the workplace, don’t be afraid to say no to other task when you find yourself in the situation where you cannot handle anymore task than you already have. Know your limitations is also key to time management. Those who cannot fully assert their own capabilities could end up being stressed out more than others who know their own limitations.
If you are having the trouble saying no, starting small is always the best choice. In the event where you have too many things to do and your boss is demanding you to perform even more tasks, give your boss the choice of what thing he would like you to do first. Be flexible but be firm too! Tell him that you cannot perform the task he asks you to do without giving up some of the tasks at hand. I’m sure your boss can take the hint.
At home, ask your husband or wife to make their own sandwich if you cannot find the time to do that for them or ask your daughter if her friends can give her a ride home after soccer practice. All these simple requests to others who ask so much of you can help in lessening or reducing your stress.
Other Time Management Tips
Stop being a perfectionist! People who are perfectionists often cannot help it if they feel stress at the end of each day. If you are a perfectionist, prioritize the task that needs meticulous attention to detail and finish it first. Always accomplish the items in your first list first before moving on to the second. This way you can avoid jumping from one list to another.
Remember that everyone needs time to rest and relax for a while. Include work breaks in your list or schedule and things that could physically and mentally take you away from you work. Lastly, try not to make major decisions when you feel overworked, tired or anxious.