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Learn to manage your day in just 18 minutes

7207 Jan 15, 2018

Today I sat on my systems with the best of intentions of completing all tasks at hands. I am a freelance content writer and a student so, have to play two roles and sometimes it becomes difficult as to give which one the priority. Well I sat down, check my e-mails, done some research for the content, surf on Facebook and by the time I was done with the stuff, the clock was screaming 12:30 pm and I could hardly remember my other goals for the day except for completing the writing task which I am supposed to send to the client. Forget about studies!

Well, not the worst time management example but still not too productive either and sometimes I think, who in this world has enough time but not enough tasks to take care of.

None in my relation and circle and probably it is the same case with you and your circle as well and this brings us to a simple inference that we start everyday by knowing that we don’t have enough time to get all the jobs done. We may know it consciously or sub-consciously (if there is such a thing) but we know it and therefore, managing the time is very important for all of us.

Under such case, a to-do list seems to be a good option and with the smartphones, we now even have fancy to-do apps with built-in reminder and other cool features but still execution of the task remains the challenge and then there are other factors which threaten or derail the execution of the task.

So, for managing time do we need a trick? In my humble opinion, more than a trick we all need a ritual. A ritual that is built into each one of our days, which we simply cannot afford to miss. A ritual is something which we do day-in and day-out to reach our goal and it keeps us focused on our priorities throughout the day.

A ritual does not need to be too elaborating and as far as time management is concerned, it can be done in three simple steps:

Ritual #1: Before starting your day (work day), plan your day
Time required: 5-10 minutes
Next time before turning your computer sit down with a blank piece of paper and do not think in terms of tasks that you need to complete instead, think in terms of productivity. Think what small tasks, if you achieve today will make the day productive.

"Tasks are practically never-ending and not to mention overlapping and superimposing. If time management could be achieved in terms of tasks you wouldn't be reading this post!"

Write those things down which would make your day productive as this will automatically prioritize some your tasks as far as the day is concerned. Now pin these tasks into different time slots, placing the hardest and most important atop.

This may take a while but with doing this as a daily ritual you will get better not only in identifying the important tasks but in assigning the priority based on importance and urgency as well.

If you are going to do something then decide when you are going to do otherwise take it off the list as you may end up screwing all other tasks as well.

Ritual #2: Bring your attention back
Time Required: 1 min per hour

Finally an opportunity to put your fancy smartphone to some use! Set it to ring after every hour and when it does, take a deep breath and think about the past hour which you just spent. Was it productive?

Then look at your calendar again (from the Ritual #1) and re-establish, which tasks are going to make your day productive? Try not to micro-manage and think on the scale which is divided in hours.

Ritual #3: Self Review
Time Required: 5 min per hour

Shut off the computer (at the end of the day) and review your day. What worked? What didn't? What distracted you? How can you be more productive tomorrow? What necessary changes are required in your schedule. Keep re-arranging the schedule, methodology and working style until you get the productive day that you had in your mind when you started working.

What make rituals so powerful? It is their predictability. You keep on doing the same thing again and again and when you chose to focus wisely and consistently the end result is a focused productive day.

Tags: Time Management Time Management Process Time Management Skills Importance Of Time Management Ways To Manage Time Planning A Productive Day

About the Author

Umang Kharbanda

I love to help businesses in expanding their outreach to their readers and users by producing high quality content for the technical and property management space. During these three years as a professional freelance content/blog writer I also had the opportunity to immerse myself in various other domains as well and education is one of them. Whatever your requirements are, I am sure that my experience as a professional content writer and blog writer will be able to accomplish what your job requires and will help you and your business in increasing their influence and authority among your readers and users in your area of expertise.

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