10 Tips for Effective Time Management

Have you ever thought to yourself that there aren’t enough hours in the day, or felt overwhelmed at the tasks facing you? If you have, I know one of these 10 tips can help you, if not than please share your golden nuggets of secret time creation with the rest of us.

 1. Clarify your goals and strategy

 Be very clear about your aims and ambitions, both short and long term. Write them down. Once you know what you really want to achieve (and why) it’s easier to make decisions about what needs doing, and to plan accordingly.

2. Focus on your top priorities.

You’ll be more productive and profitable if you identify and focus on the areas most important to your personal goals, family intentions and the purpose of living a fruitful life. Work on the fundamentals first. The Latin word ‘fundamentum’ means foundation – so take action, build strong foundations and the rest should follow.

3. Schedule time

Literally write an appointment in your planner (you do have one of those, don’t you?) the one we buy and only use for about 1 week each year, however pick it up and use it to set aside a realistic block of time for your priority actions. This reduces anxiety over not having enough time and keeps you focused. Bonus tip: I love using alarms and reminders on my phone, as long as you don’t get in the habit of snoozing away your life.

4. Say no!

Consider Jim Rohn’s suggestion. “Learn how to say no. Don't let your mouth overload your back.” Always check your schedule before committing to anything new. Don’t allow others to divert you from your objectives.

5. Create supportive systems (this creates order and intentions)

This includes systems for family schedule, home management, personal wellness system, all the stuff and we have lots of it everywhere.

6. Take a reality check

Will your current activity have a positive outcome, or are you doing it to avoid something else? Ask yourself – will doing this take me towards my goal? As Peter F Drucker observed “There is nothing so useless as doing efficiently that which should not be done at all.”

 7. Delegate!

It’s tempting to do something yourself when you think you can do it faster and better. But consider the long term – delegation now will save time in the future, and if done appropriately can motivate your children, boost their confidence and help them develop their skills. Mom, you don’t need to do it all, learn to share in the work and ask for help or release the grip (read my other blog post)

 8. Repeat your success

Remember the last time you went away on vacay, and how you got so much done in those few days before you left? What strategies and no excuse mindset did you employ that made you so effective and focused? Can you repeat them? Alternatively, imagine you are going away tomorrow and work through today accordingly.

 9. Balance your life

Formally schedule personal activities too, so you make time for family, friends, your health and fun because having a balanced life reduces stress and increases energy levels. Time management is really about life management!

10. End the day

At the end of the busy yet productive day, tidy up your kitchen, make notes about what needs doing tomorrow and prioritize those tasks. You’ll worry less that evening and be prepared and focused the next morning Now take time snuggle your kids, kids your hubby and say your prayers.