Time management is about managing your daily tasks in order to make sure that you are spending your time as effectively and as intentionally as possible. The best benefit of efficient time management is the ability to prioritize your day in order to have room for self-care. Here are 6 time management strategies that can help you get your best work done.
1. Timeboxing
This is a time management strategy where you aim to complete targeted goals within a ‘timebox.’ First, you have to figure out how long it’ll take you to complete a body of work. Then, you create a ‘timebox’ for the said task. For example, block 9am to 11am in your calendar to write a copy for the next social media campaign. Start working within the timebox and focus on the task until the timebox is up. Take a break once done.
2. Time Blocking
Very similar to timeboxing, time blocking is also about setting aside a ‘block’ of time to complete your work but with one slight difference. In time blocking, you block off set periods of time in your calendar to work on tasks. For example, “Monday to Wednesday: work on the latest social media campaign.
3. Pomodoro
Pomodoro is a time management strategy that helps you complete tasks within short time frames and incorporate breaks in between. The breaks are a must. In Pomodoro, you set a timer for 25 minutes and focus on the task at hand, carefully avoiding distractions. Then, you take a 5-minute break after. Repeat. Know more about the Pomodoro Technique in this article: That Tomato Shaped Kitchen Timer.
4. Eat the Frog
My personal favorite time management strategy is Eat the Frog. This means getting the hardest stuff out of the way first before proceeding to complete the rest of your tasks. You would have to think hard about which tasks to prioritize. The rule is to complete the important AND urgent tasks first because those are usually high-value jobs. Learn more about Eat the Frog strategy here: Eat That Frog And Drink The Coffee!
5. Get Things Done (GTD)
In this time management strategy, the first step is to write down everything you need to do and then you sort them out in order of priority to find the low-value jobs and the tasks that you can delegate or even get rid of completely. Find out more about the GTD strategy in this article: How To Get Things Done.
6. Pareto Principle
This time management strategy is sometimes called the “80/20 rule.” The Pareto principle has one fundamental rule: you spend 20% of your time on 80% of your work. This is the reverse of Eat the Frog where you are encouraged to get the quick tasks out of the way in order to get quick wins as a motivation to complete the rest of your work.
Do any of these work for you? What is your favorite time management strategy? Share them with us in the comments. Remember to work smart and be a blessing to someone today. Stay safe and healthy!
Written by Jaie O. TheHelp