Time is the great equalizer.
It doesn’t care who you are, what color your skin, gender, education level is, whether you’re rich or poor or anything else.
Everyone gets 24 hours to spend every day however they choose.
So it’s on you to spend your time wisely.
Here are FIVE ways to do that.
Determine what you need to do.
Set aside time either at the end of your day, before you go to sleep or, at the very latest, in the morning before you begin your day to think about your day.
Don’t rush this. But do be very intentional about it.
What needs to be done? Do you even know?
I highly encourage you to do your initial planning by writing in a planner or in a notebook.
Determine how long each task will take you.
As you are jotting down what needs to be done, estimate how long each task you have/want to do will take you. Don’t keep this in your head…actually write it down.
Now, begin to plan your day.
It may seem odd but the actually planning of your day is the third step of this process.
But before you actually begin writing your plan, consider: should you do your most important tasks first thing? My answer is “yes” and “no”. In other words, it depends on you. If you’re a morning person, then yes. But if not, when is your optimum time of day? Do your most important work then.
Don’t exceed your bandwidth.
As you plan, keep in mind that pushing a rope has never served anyone.
I highly encourage you to take frequent breaks. How often? As often you need them. Micro breaks are critical to your success.
What is a micro break?
It’s when you get up from wherever you’re working and walk away. I recommend you walk outside. Yes, even if it’s cold or hot (just don’t stand in the rain or a blizzard). And yes, even if you work in a high rise.
Go outside (leave your cell phone in your office or put it in airplane mode and on mute) where no one else is and close your eyes and take several deep breaths. Don’t think about anything. Just be.
You will not only get a energy boost (all natural) but you’ll become addicted to these micro breaks because they will help you be more productive.
Accept that no plan is perfect.
Life will happen.
Things will come up.
You just have to roll with it.
Don’t get stressed because your well thought out plan was blown to pieces.
It’s okay.
It’s not difficult to master your time. You just have to be intentional about it and give yourself grace as you plan and “fail” (you’re not a failure, your plan just didn’t serve you well) and learn…and then repeat.
Like I always say, “tell your time where to go instead of wondering where it went.”
You’ve got this. I know you do.
Do you?