5 Best Time Management Tips + FREEBIE
When I’m asked or approached about what I do, and I answer that I am a blogger, photographer, that I create content for brands, create e-courses, consult bloggers and small businesses and run a {not so small} business for the past 4 years {phew, outta breath here 😅} people don’t understand how the hell I find time to get all these things done, and also travel the world as often as I do.
So no, I haven’t invented a time machine just yet that stops or goes back in time… What’s my secret? Managing my time wisely. In other words, better management of the activities I do on a daily basis to make the best of the 24 hours we all equally have.
I believe good time management is something everybody should be good at {I mean almost everyone feels like they don’t have enough time, which is too bad…}, but it is without a doubt one of the most important things for bloggers and independent business owners.
Good management of our time as business owners is an important skill that has a direct effect on the performance of our business, and no less important to our personal well-being. After all, so many business owners feel like they work all day without a break, and even though they feel like they dedicate almost no time to leisure, and work continues to slide into their personal lives, they still don’t seem to have enough time to get what they want done in order to effectively maintain or promote their business.
To be perfectly honest, I was always pretty good at managing my time… but since I no longer work within an organized framework that manages the most part of my schedule {for example, being a university student or an employee}, I have had to rethink and recalculate how I use my time. Organizing it all by myself, I have really succeeded at enhancing my time management skills thanks to which I am able to achieve more goals in a shorter amount of time.
In this blogpost, I will share my five best tips with you in this post for better time management – so you could apply them yourself! {And there’s a special surprise at the end of the post!}.
So you may feel short on time {otherwise maybe you wouldn’t be reading this}, but I do recommend that you make yourself a coffee and free up the next ten minutes to read and internalize the tips listed in this post. If you decide to apply them, you will soon learn how to better manage your time and with a lot less stress!
Let’s go!
TIME MANAGEMENT TIPS #1 - BREAK IT DOWN
One big goal is made up of many little tasks and sub-tasks
A big goal can appear stressful and unattainable. For example, when my goal was to first start my blog, I could have easily lost myself to this great goal… I mean, what does starting a blog even mean? After much deliberation in attempt to clarify with myself what it is I should be doing, I decided to make a long list of all the little tasks that would help me achieve my goal. These little tasks included choosing my blog’s niche, its name, buying a domain and an online hosting service, branding, and finding the right template.
But even these felt like they were too much for me….
So I decided to break them down into sub-tasks, easier to get done.
For example when choosing my niche, a sub-task would be “brainstorm niche ideas” and another would be “think of 10-15 ideas for posts under this niche”.
I recommend breaking down any big goal by designating it at least one page in a large notebook and listing small tasks and their sub-tasks.
The more you simplify your tasks, the easier they will be to implement, and the closer you will get to your ultimate goal.
TIME MANAGEMENT TIPS #2 - PRIORITIZE
Which tasks are more and less important
After you’ve prepared a neat list of goals, small tasks, and sub-tasks, it’s time to decide which tasks are more important than others.
If I go on with the same example of starting a blog, then of course the small task of finding my blog’s niche is more important than finding its name, which is more important than the small task of purchasing a domain.
I mean it makes sense doesn’t it? the completion of each of these small tasks is based on the completion of the previous task {you can not buy a domain before you know what your blog’s name will be, and you shouldn’t choose a blog name before choosing a niche, right?}.
You may have another important task, for example, keep up healthy eating, its sub-task is to shop for fresh produce at the market. In a situation like this one, you should really decide which sub-task is more important to do that day – “find a niche for the blog” or “buy fruits and veggies” In the same way, I recommend that you prioritize your “mini-tasks” based on the same logic of performing tasks in order of importance.
TIME MANAGEMENT TIPS #3 - ADOPT A RELAXING MORNING ROUTINE
An organized ‘to do’ list is the perfect recipe for a no-stress day.
Every morning I treat myself to a delicious breakfast and then I have my coffee and jot down my daily list of tasks.
I don’t do anything else until finish writing down all of the little tasks I intent on getting done that day.
I don’t answer emails, or take any work calls, and I don’t even open an internet tab, to avoid getting distracted.
Once the day is in order, and I know exactly what it is I’d like to get done during the day, I don’t have to spend unnecessary time during the day to think about “What I should be doing right now” or feel overwhelmed by my great goals – every time I finish one small task, I look at the list and see what my next task is.
And one more thing – insert into your list what needs to get done that same day. It can even be trivial things like answer emails or comments on your blog and instagram. Focusing on these as a defined task, as opposed to a scattered manner throughout the day – will save you lots of time!
TIME MANAGEMENT TIPS #4 - AVOID TRYING TO GET TOO MUCH DONE
Allow yourself the right amount of time to get things done and complete your list of tasks
Sometimes we set ourselves too many tasks to do in one day. This has happened to me all of the time when I was just starting out.
We can’t always know how long it might take us to complete a task, especially if it’s not the kind of task performed on a daily basis. Which is why I always list a limited amount of sub-tasks to complete a day, plus an additional 2-4 extras I can get done if I’ve finished my tasks for the day with spare time. Of course, I list the most urgent tasks at the top, followed by the less important tasks, according to priority as mentioned in tip number 2.
TIME MANAGEMENT TIPS #5 - HIGHLIGHT EVERY COMPLETED TASK
A neon-colored pat on your back
The thing I enjoy doing most during my workday is to proudly highlight the tasks I’ve completed – and I do it right after I’ve completed it!
I know it sounds funny, but the sense of satisfaction I get from a planner all in bright yellow is a hard feeling to transcend 😉
Some of these tips may seem difficult to get to on a daily basis {“who has time to make lists? I hardly get anything done!”} and some might seem trivial to you {let’s be real, how many of them do you really use? 🧐}, but I assure you that from the very moment that I took this work method upon myself I get so much more done than I used to, and no less important – I am less stressed. Don’t freak out if at first you have trouble and don’t see immediate results, the longer you try and implement these tips in your life, the more they will become like second nature to you, and you’ll see that with time you’ll be getting through your daily tasks like a pro.
To simplify matters even more, I’ve made a free printable {designed for time management}! All you need to do is sign up for my newsletter and you will instantly receive an email with this printable ready to download. Good luck in better managing your time!
fill in the form below to subscribe to my newsletter to receive regular updates, killer tips, guides from me & get instant access to the FREE printables!
Which tips from my post are you planning on trying out? Do you have other good time management tips to share? Leave me a comment below! 🙂
If you liked this post share it on Facebook and save to Pinterest ♡
PIN FOR LATER
15 Responses
great post!
Thanks darling 🙂
enjoy doing most during my workday is to proudly highlight the tasks I’ve completed – and I do it right after I’ve completed it!
haha we share the little pleasures of life 😉
This article is very beutiful and usefull! Have a great day
Your article is nice and thanks for providing it!
I waste a lot of time thinking about what to do and end up doing nothing, thanks for the tips, helped me a lot
Super gald to hear that you found my tips useful 🙂 I’m sure that if you’ll follow them long enough they’ll become a second nature
Prioritzing is so important, take care of the things that need to be dome now and the low hanging fruit that are going to get you the most with the effort you can put into at the time. I love the idea of the sub tasks as well, so putt a few of those together and knock down some of the bigger things that need to be done. Great stuff, much appreciated.
Thanks Mitch. glad you enjoyed this post ?
A big goal can appear stressful and unattainable, that point is so very true.
very good & good and unique article. thanks for sharing with us.
You’re very welcome 🙂
Thanks for this information it’s very clear information about time managment
I’m glad you liked it 🙂