Effectively manage your time by embracing the most focused and motivated periods of your day. Are you a planner, or do you tend to go with the flow? Regardless of your approach to scheduling your day and priorities, these time management tips and tricks can help encourage focus and motivation. Implementing these five approaches to time management can help you tackle your most important tasks. Is there a nagging to-do list item that you’ve been putting off? Do you feel overwhelmed by the number of tasks that you need to complete? These suggestions can help you beat procrastination or overwhelm and find motivation.
#1. Time block to tackle your most important tasks.
Time blocking is a great method for breaking up your day and dedicating different chunks of time to different activities. While an avid planner may prefer to plan out their entire day, it is also possible to time block for only a few essential activities. By setting dedicated periods of time to focus on essential tasks, the rest of your day can remain open. This is ideal for both planners and people who like to go with the flow.
Divide your day into blocks of time and dedicate each block to a specific goal or task. Only focus on the intended task during the set block of time to maintain focus. By time blocking your days in advance, you can eliminate the need to decide when and what to focus on. This allows for focused work time and a guided method to approaching each day.
However, time blocking is not only ideal for people who like to set strict schedules for their days. Even if the majority of your day is fluid, setting aside blocks of time for the most important tasks can ensure that they are completed during focused work time.
You can set aside specific times for activities in your electronic calendar or planner. I love having a paper planner and use my LifePlanner by Erin Condren to schedule my days. You can also use a document that breaks up each day into hour or half-hour increments to allocate specific blocks of time for a given activity.
#2. Set a timer to maximize focus.
Do you ever sit down to work on a task and then find yourself distracted by things like your phone or other tabs that are open on your computer? Setting a timer for the amount of time that you’d like to work on a task can help maintain focus during the entire work session. This can also be effective when tackling a large task. By breaking up a big task into smaller portions, the task can seem more manageable. Setting a timer for smaller parts of a large project and racing the clock can help maintain focus and improve efficiency. This method can be used for any type of activity, such as chores or projects relating to work.
Setting a timer can also be a useful tactic when working on a task that is unappealing or has been avoided in the past. There are plenty of essential tasks that we don’t necessarily want to work on but need to complete. Set a timer for the required or desired amount of time to work on this task. However, plan to do something that you enjoy as soon as the timer goes off. By planning a reward at the end of a block of time, your motivation will be higher which will result in increased focus. This reward activity can be something simple like taking a 10-minute break to go outside or indulging in your favorite snack.
#3. Budget enough time for each task.
When you plan how to time block for a specific activity, you essentially need to decide how long the activity will take or how long you’re willing to work on it at a given time. However, feeling like you are not getting enough done can be a source of frustration and decrease motivation. Do you constantly feel like you are running out of time? Budget more than enough time for each task. By allowing and planning for more time than a task will take, you can eliminate the feeling of being rushed. You can also create the possibility of moments of freedom throughout your day, which can help reduce stress.
#4. Identify your top three to-do list items.
News flash – you do not need to get everything done in one day. Although some items on your to-do list may need to get done that week or month, everything will rarely need to be completed in a given day. You do not have enough time to do everything in one day, but you do have enough time to make an impact in meeting your goals. Beat stress and overwhelm but narrowing your focus to three specific tasks. By identifying the top three important tasks for your day, you can set yourself up to succeed.
Determine which tasks are essential and help bring you closer to meeting your goals. Focus on completing these top three goals. Other to-do list items can still be completed, but think of those as more of a bonus and not necessarily an essential activity. By narrowing your focus on only a few specific items each day, you can help maintain your focus and motivation by combating overwhelm.
#5. Focus on one task at a time.
A full schedule or a long list of action items can be overwhelming and stressful. Yet, busy days are a reality for most of us. Change your mindset. Instead of thinking about how much more you have to do, focus on one activity at a time. This shift can help you remain focused.
For example, when approaching a standard workday, focus on each task one at a time instead of thinking “I’m only 2 hours in, 12 more to go.” Focusing on the task at hand instead of what else needs to be done in the future can also decrease overwhelm. Changing your mindset to celebrate what has already been accomplished can also boost motivation.
Time Management Tips for Focus & Motivation
Save these time management tips and tricks to Pinterest to help you stay motivated and improve your focus. Crush your goals and eliminate overwhelm by following these simple steps.
- Time block to tackle your most important tasks.
- Set a timer to maximize focus.
- Budget enough time for each task.
- Identify your top 3 to do list items.
- Focus on one task at a time.
Save these tips on Pinterest. For more advice on lifestyle topics, check out this post about embracing the winter season.
