Having recently moved house with a young toddler and two businesses to keep running, I couldn’t help saying to myself on a number of occasions “there’s just not enough time”. When panic started to set in with the pressure of looming deadlines and so much to do, I had no choice but to get organised and brush up on my time management skills. This is an extreme example and things have now calmed down to a manageable level, but there are some simple things we can do every day to keep sane through those busy times!
Tip 1: Stay Organised. Manage your diary and know where you have to be, when you have to be there and what you need to do to prepare. Keep a to-do list and prioritise your workload.
Tip 2: Delegate. Review your to-do list and re-prioritise regularly. If you’re anything like me, if it’s not written down, chances are it won’t get done! Be decisive and stick to your boundaries. It’s OK to say no when you are stretched or better still, have a back up plan and engage some help when you need it.
Tip 3: Work effectively. Focus on one thing at a time. While multi-tasking may seem more productive, it also increases the chances of becoming stressed and you end up ‘half-doing’ things. Allocate time in your diary to focus on that important task and finish it. Eliminate the distractions. Turn your phone off, shut down your email (just for a little while!), close the office door and get stuck in! Even if it’s just half an hour, make the most of this time. Note: this is only effective when you’re “in the zone”. Get your headspace right and choose the best time of day when you are at your peak.
Tip 4: Stop Procrastinating. Tackle the unpleasant tasks first; sometimes they aren’t as bad as you think they’re going to be! Make decisions or set yourself a timeframe. Reward yourself for your accomplishments no matter how small the reward. Shout yourself to a coffee at your favourite cafe but only AFTER you have successfully finished that awkward task.
Tip 5: Create the right environment. Free your work area from clutter and maintain a simple filing system. Remove distractions. If you work from home, treat your office as an office. Set start and finish times, allow times for breaks and dress for work! (OK, it’s probably alright to leave the slippers on, especially in cold weather!). Some people I know actually dress for work then leave home, walk to the coffee shop for a takeaway and then arrive back home to start their work day. Great idea!
Till next time,
