Time is a commodity we can’t afford to waste, which is why it’s of the utmost importance to manage it wisely. But even despite our best efforts at planning and scheduling our daily tasks, we can still get sidetracked by distractions. In this article, we compiled a short list of hacks you can incorporate in your routine and help you work smarter and faster!
Arrange your objectives into an inverted pyramid
Sort out your tasks by ranking it by importance and difficulty. Once you have identified your top priorities, make sure to finish it first before moving on to another task. This way, you can keep track of how the day has been spent: if you’ve finished all the top priority tasks already, you can then take it easy and save pending objectives for another day.
Never compromise your sleep schedule
Many working adults sacrifice sleep when they are unable to meet deadlines, this is a bad habit we learn early as students and carry over as we got older. Getting enough sleep is crucial to our daily performance. People who sleep less tend to commit errors in their tasks and responsibilities. Sleeping also helps refresh our brains and get it ready for the next day.
Invest in tools that help you be more productive
It doesn’t need to be extravagant: just a simple notepad will do. Create to-do lists, practice bullet journalling, or schedule tasks using a calendar app on your phone. It helps to have something you can keep track of your progress with. It also reminds you of which assignments or projects are of a higher priority. This method is also great practice for creating your own organizing systems and make you work more efficiently.
Start right away
Procrastinating is always one of the biggest enemies we face when it comes to doing anything. Once you’ve been given a task, get an early start do it immediately. Instead of wasting time waiting on something else or putting it off until the last minute, starting right away gets it out of the way and leaves you with one less thing to worry about later.
Don’t be afraid to say “no”
Part of being an adult is learning to prioritise. If you’re not sure that you will be able to handle too many things at the same time, it’s best to say no and not make a lot of commitments that could possibly clash with each other. It also helps to refuse any form of distraction while you still have pending important tasks.
Master the 50:10 ratio
Just because you are working hard, doesn’t mean you have to constantly push yourself. Studies have shown that the 50:10 ratio keeps you productive: 50 minutes of serious work, followed by a 10-minute short break. This prevents burning out from the job at hand and helps your mind stay refreshed and uncluttered. You can use your short break to eat a snack, walk around, check your social media, or any small thing that you can use to reward yourself. Taking these short breaks is crucial because it allows you to recharge.
Keep these tips in mind and we’re sure that you’ll soon be a time management pro. Living a productive lifestyle is much more rewarding and stress-free than constantly chasing deadlines and tiring you out. Relieve yourself of schedule clutter and plan away!