Many of us feel like life is pretty chaotic. That we’d get more done, get more out of life, and enjoy life more if we could manage our lives a little better. And the fact is, we can get more out of life, without resorting to caffeine! Here’s how you can manage your own life better.
1. Use time management techniques
You get twelve hours a day (give or take) to accomplish all your tasks, work, hobbies and responsibilities. If you’re not practising healthy time management (both in the office and outside of it), then you’re probably not getting through all the stuff you want to get through. And that’s disappointing, right?
One of the best ways to manage your time effectively is to create lists – especially your to-do list for the day. Write it down on a piece of paper and once you’ve finished an item, tick it off. Trust us: you’ll feel such a sense of accomplishment when you’re done with it!
Every few weeks or months, keep a time log so you can see what you’re spending your time doing. You’ll soon spot which tasks are swallowing up all your free time, and preventing you from, say, going to the gym more often.
2. Learn to prioritise properly
Getting to the office and doing your job is a non-negotiable obligation. But do you prioritise your work tasks when you’re there? Or do you bumble through each day? Do you prioritise the tasks you need to complete outside of the office, too, so that you can get more out of life?
Consider keeping a to-do list, as we mentioned above, in order of priority, so you can see at a glance what’s urgent or important, and what isn’t. Try to get to the office 20 minutes earlier than necessary so you can get your personal admin in order (e.g. booking a dentist appointment) and then get your work to-do list on paper too.
3. Say no
Your time is such a valuable (or invaluable?) asset. You can’t get it back. So if you don’t have time to help a colleague with a project, or play tennis with a neighbour, don’t be afraid to say so.
In the workplace, it’s not always easy to say no. But you can ask colleagues to observe a simple signal – say, your door being closed, or your desktop clock being turned around – as a sign that you’re working on your personal tasks and don’t want to be interrupted for a few minutes.
4. Be flexible
While your to-do list is an important element in your self-management, it shouldn’t be set in stone. Be flexible enough to adapt your schedule to, say, a new project at a work, a new adventure with a friend, or some time with an ailing aunt.
The most successful business men and women are flexible enough in their lives and businesses to spot the trends and new opportunities. This is why they are so good at what they do. So take a leaf out of their books and do the same!
5. Finish what you start
How many times have you started a new project or taken up a new hobby, only for it to be interrupted and fall by the wayside? Make it a habit that you finish tasks and projects, as soon as possible. If you’re not a good multitasker, then focus on one task at a time rather than trying to juggle multiple tasks (and doing them all poorly, so they need to be redone).
6. Delegate where you can
Sharing is caring, they say. So if you’re feeling overloaded at work (and your detailed time log shows you spend way too many hours doing overtime work), then delegate tasks to colleagues and staff.
Put these tips into practice, and you’ll soon find yourself more in charge of your time and your energy!
Also, consider becoming a certified life coach so you can help others get more out of life. Trifocus Fitness Academy offers a comprehensive Life Coaching certification. Learn more here.