Choosing a time management technique that works for you isn't always easy. You can find a slew of them all over the internet. But chances are, most of them won't always work. Here are four effective time management techniques that make the biggest difference to get you started.
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Do you often find yourself working past regular hours? Are you frequently stressed because you feel like you aren't doing enough?
Well, it's normal to feel overburdened by the sheer volume of work you have to get done. And it’s more common in many people than you may think. Actually, in a recent survey, 1 in 8 people (11.5%) said they never feel in control at their workplaces.
So, how can you beat this stress and become a productivity champion?
You guessed right. Time management. An efficient time management technique makes it easier to manage your tasks and make better use of your time, allowing you to accomplish more each day. It not only lowers your stress levels but also boosts your productivity at work and at home.
However, choosing a time management technique that works for you isn't always easy. You can find a slew of them all over the internet. But chances are, most of them won't always work. Here are four effective time management techniques that make the biggest difference to get you started.
1. Eisenhower’s Matrix
The Eisenhower Matrix is a technique for setting priorities based on the relative urgency and importance of the items on your list. Urgent tasks necessitate prompt attention. The consequences of not dealing with them are imminent, thus they are the ones you should focus on the most.
Important tasks on the other hand have a result that contributes to the achievement of your personal or career goals. Dwight D. Eisenhower is the mastermind behind this iconic technique.
The matrix divides your day's activities into four quadrants based on what you have to accomplish at any given point in time.
These four quadrants are as follows:
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Schedule: Not Urgent but important
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Do first: Urgent and important
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Eliminate: Not Important and not Urgent
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Delegate: Urgent but not Important
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Essentially, the idea is to identify tasks that are not urgent nor important enough for you to accomplish so that you can focus more on important tasks.
If you lack direction and find yourself wasting a lot of time on trivial tasks that don't truly accomplish anything, this is the perfect method for you. In addition, it facilitates a more efficient workflow while allowing you to manage multiple tasks simultaneously.
2. The Pomodoro time management technique
One of the most widely used time management techniques in existence today is the Pomodoro (Tomato) technique. It was developed by Francesco Cirillo in the late 1980s.
The Pomodoro technique isn’t complicated as you may think. It entails breaking down your daily tasks into smaller, more manageable chunks and working through them in short bursts, interspersed with short breaks.
During a Pomodoro, you work for 25 minutes straight and then take three to five minutes of rest. You should then take a 15- to 30-minute rest after every four Pomodori to refuel.
If you want to use the Pomodoro Technique, you'll need a timer. Using this technique enables you to focus and recuperate enough to get the most out of your time.
Here's how to go about it:
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Choose a task to complete
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Start the Pomodoro timer
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Concentrate on the task at hand
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When the timer goes off after 25 minutes, stop working (that's one Pomodoro)
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Take a three- to five-minute break if you have less than four Pomodori
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Restart after a lengthier rest of 15–30 minutes following the fourth Pomodori, then return to step 1
3. Eat the frog
Mark Twain famously stated that if the first thing you do in the morning is to eat a live frog, you may go through the day knowing that that is probably the worst thing that will happen to you all day.
‘Eat the frog’ is an analogy that simply translates to prioritizing your day by starting with the most important work. Your “frog” is the most critical thing you have to do. If you don't do something about it, this is the task you'll most likely put off. It's a terrific technique when you're feeling overloaded and need help adjusting your work schedules.
A good productivity practice is to always start with the most important thing on your to-do list. Before you do anything else, establish a daily ritual of "eating your frog. If you have a long list of important activities to complete, prioritize the most difficult task first.
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4. Time blocking
Time blocking is a time management approach that aids in boosting productivity by focusing your attention on a single task at a time. It forces a more (intentional) scheduled workday, which helps you get into that ‘flow' faster by eliminating unnecessary interruptions.
Using this method, you'll gain the clarity you need to make the most effective use of your time and attention.
Here's how to put it into practice:
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The first step is to figure out what you need to get done and how long it will take.
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After that, set a deadline and devote the time necessary to complete it.
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Lastly, use your preferred calendar program to implement time blocking and make necessary adjustments
Conclusion
A more accurate definition of time management is self-management rather than scheduling. There are many time management techniques, but the key is to be able to tell what's important from what isn't. Focus and time management go hand in hand. Therefore, the better you are at focusing and controlling your time, the more you will accomplish.
