By managing your time more effectively you can reduce stress significantly and find the right balance for the time you spend on professional, and personal activities.

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• Break larger tasks down into 10-minute time frames. Work toward completing the tasks when you have small amounts of time: commuting time, waiting in line, or before a meeting.

• Establish procedures for doing routine activities

• Set deadlines for yourself and announce them to others. This doubles your accountability and increases the likelihood that you will follow through.

• Assign places to store commonly used items, such as your keys, purse, briefcase, tools, clothing, and accessories. This will reduce the time wasted searching for them.

• Allow time for the unexpected — don’t schedule things down to the last minute. Be flexible enough to be able to take the phone call from an old friend.

• Write down your goals on paper and identify what activities need to be accomplished to reach your goals. This will help you clarify what is important to you.

• Estimate the amount of time that you spend on daily activities during an average day.

• Keep your desktop clear, except for the project at-hand. This will reduce the distractions, allowing you to devote your undivided attention to the task.

• When something goes wrong, don’t overreact. Instead ask, “How can I prevent this from happening again?”

• Determine which tasks you’re spending too much time on and which tasks you’re not giving adequate attention to. Make adjustments.

• Make a daily “to do” list. This will keep you focused and give you a feeling of accomplishment when you complete the activities on the list.

• Be realistic in the way you schedule your time, and recognize your limitations.

• Recognize your prime time. What time of day are you at your best? Schedule important activities at this time so you can give it your all.

• Schedule break time. A few minutes off may be just what you need to restore your energy and keep productive

 

REACH provides free confidential counseling and referral assistance to help with Time Management concerns. To speak to a counselor or set up an appointment call toll free 1-800-273-5273.

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