Time Management Tips

We were discussing Wednesday about time management tips. Time waits for nobody. We are not promised tomorrow. Take full advantage of today and make the most of it. For tips 1 through 5, check out Wednesday’s blog here. I know just like this photo, more time is definitely on my wish list for Christmas this year. How about you?

6. Be able to manage your time so well, that your children look up to you as a role model, who is an expert at improving your quality of life. Use positive self talk or statements out loud to encourage yourself of how well you are doing getting your work done on time. You kids will listen to this more than you think. Repeat how well you are using your time, to be effective for yourself and others. Again, you are passing and teaching these messages on to your children as they are working on their homework, wanting to go out and play themselves. Live by example and stay focused.

7. Use self care. Do something you enjoy for at least 15 minutes every day. This helps give you new energy levels once you return to your work. It is amazing how much just a short bubble bath helps me get going again once I am done.

8. My dad used to always say “put the big rocks in first,” as Steven Covey says, he would teach me. That was my clue that I needed to do the important stuff first, then fill in the gaps with looking at emails, using social media, going to buy something for yourself, etc. Then everything will fit in your container and you can get things done.

9. Learn to say “No.” It is not easy sometimes, however it is healthy and necessary so that you do not overwhelm yourself so much that you cannot do a quality job on one project. It is a good thing to have boundaries for yourself. Be time conscience. Again, this is another message that you are teaching your child, as you choose which projects you will or will not take on.

Please understand I keep bringing this discussion back to your children because at our company we value family and how you are spending your time together. You are passing on a legacy and life lessons that your children will, more than likely, pass on to their children. We encourage you to write down you life mottos, tips, advice, and wisdom so your kids can read these notes in the future when they get a job, career, or start a family.

You can make your guess of what your child will be when they grow up. Have fun and even write that down. Then put that prediction in a Baby Time Capsule. When your child graduates high school, give him or her their own Baby Time Capsule with that prediction (and other sentimental mementos or memories, like baby’s first shoes) in it. Will your prediction come true, about what your child will be or where he or she goes to college. If your child will be a leader of any kind in the work world, it will be essential that he or she know how to manage time. So again, I ask, what are you teaching your child as far as time management tips? If you want to get a cute Baby Time Capsule like the one pictured above, click on the photo above or click here.

10. Make the most of every opportunity. Seize the day. Learn from others around you. Live each day as if the last. How many times have you said, “where does all my time go?” I have also said myself, “I need more hours in the day.” I know you can relate. Make sure you have your minimum of 15 minutes of special family time every night before bed. Keeping priorities shows what keeps you motivated each day, and also make sure you have a less chance of having a break down or crisis, due to not making sure you carve out time for things you want to do.

Time is constantly moving whether you want it to or not. We get so caught up in our daily routines sometimes that we forget to stop for a few minutes and ask ourselves where can I manage my time better, so that I have more time to do the things I want to do, like spend more time with family. We get caught up in the tyranny of “urgent” and then get caught up taking care of everyone else (especially as a parent, business leader, etc), running from one crisis to another. Then, the things that are the most important to us, we are not even doing. Wishing we could do something we enjoy more, we must learn and apply some of these tips for time management.

What is a tip you can offer others about how to manage your time? Comment below and let us know.

– Marcie