Time Management is something that everyone struggles with at one point or another. My first job in the logistics industry was for one of the largest global freight forwarders. It was an extremely fast-paced environment and I struggled to keep up at times. I was new to the company and industry so I was cross-training on all the functions within the import department. One desk, in particular, was very challenging. After a week I felt like I would NEVER be able to complete all the work that needed to be done in a timely manner.
I made a personal goal…I was determined to walk out the door at 5pm. Everyday I got a little closer to leaving on-time. It took a few weeks, but I was able to consistently complete everything by 5pm.
The practices I put in place during those few weeks changed the way I worked forever. These skills enabled me to complete my work faster and opened opportunities for me to assist co-workers or managers with special projects.
Today, I use those same skills to manage the household, multiple side hustles and two growing toddlers!
So, here are my 5 time management hacks to increase productivity!
- Plan your day the night before.
- Request needed assistance from others first thing in the morning.
- Begin tasks that require time to complete early in the morning.
- Transition from one task to the next quickly.
- Avoid distractions – Focus on one task at a time.
1. Plan your day the night before
I find it helpful to plan my day the night before. This allows me to organize tasks for the following day so I can immediately begin “working” the next morning.
As you will read in points 2 and 3, it is better to start certain tasks first thing in the morning. By planning my day the previous night, I can ensure I hit the ground running every morning with a clear plan and specific objectives in mind!
2. Request needed assistance from others first thing in the morning
Certain tasks require input/help from others to complete. For example, if you are filling out a mortgage application you may need more instruction from the bank on the information they need. You should make this call first thing in the morning so you can hopefully get the needed information quickly and complete by end of day. If it is possible to email, you could even send the email the night before, during your planning time. This way you are one step ahead the next morning.!
If you have a task that requires other’s input, do all you can, then move to another task until you receive the pending information.
3. Begin Tasks that require time to complete early in the morning
Some tasks, especially around the house, require “wait time.” A few examples are laundry and the dishwasher. I always put laundry in before I do anything else. It takes about 2 hours for each load to wash and dry, so the sooner I start, the better!
If the dishwasher was run the previous evening I will unload dishes and have the dishwasher empty and ready to be loaded throughout the day. This way dirty dishes don’t pile up in the sink.
If I didn’t have a full load the night before I will run the dishwasher after breakfast. This way I can unload them mid-day, before I start cooking dinner and make more of a mess!
4. Transition from one task to the next quickly
One thing I observed in over 15 years in an office is how much time is wasted between tasks. For example, people will complete writing an email and then waste 5 to 10 minutes before they begin the next task.
If you push yourself to complete a task and immediately begin the next, you will save about an hour a day. Just think what you can accomplish with an extra hour a day!!
That’s an extra hour of reading to your kids, playing a sport or my two year old’s favorite…bubble parties in the backyard!
It is often the transition from one task to the next that causes wasted time and can kill your momentum. When you are working through a to do list use the energy and sense of accomplishment from one task to motivate you to keep pushing forward and complete the next item on your list!
5. Avoid distractions – Focus on one task at a time
Do not get distracted by your phone. social media, notifications, emails, texts, etc…these tend to suck away valuable time.
It is so easy to get sucked into a comment string on social media platforms and waste 30 minutes without even realizing it. This has happened to me numerous times and then I realize I have accomplished nothing and learned nothing during that time!
Social media is entertaining, but you will be more productive if you turn off notifications and only open certain apps a couple times a day.
I get a lot of emails in a single day, so I find it helpful to only check emails in the morning and then in the early evening, unless I am waiting on some pending information. This helps me stay on track and ensure I get as much done as possible!
In general, it is important to make sure you are giving your time priority! If there are things that you must complete on a given day make sure they get done and don’t let other things get in the way….(within reason, of course…make sure you give the kids lunch!) Procrastination and efficiency rarely exist together!
I hope the above is helpful in being more productive and achieving your daily goals!
What other time management hacks do you use?
How do you manage to complete everything on time?
What small changes could you make in your routine to become more efficient?
I look forward to your feedback!
Please leave a comment if the above was useful or you have any questions!
Stay Blessed,
Jess
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