Best of Both Worlds: Five Ways to better manage your time

Being able to manage your time efficiently to ensure maximum output and success without sacrificing quality of life and your happiness, is a never-ending challenge. The parameters change because you change; life has an ebb and flow.

At times you may feel like the legendary King Sisyphus of Corinth, condemned to rolling that indeterminable boulder uphill, only to have it roll down again, just before reaching the summit. But in reality you should embrace the challenge, welcome the opportunity to plan. Although you may feel so exhausted that at the end of the day, many times before you’ve had time to address your fundamental tasks, whether in the office or at home, it’s time for bed. But tomorrow is a new day.

Every project may need an innovative strategy to make sure it’s the right fit. And the distractions of email, group e-chats, conference calls and meetings may make communication more immediate, but does it really make you work more effectively? Just because everything goes faster, are you working proactively or just keeping busy and responding in kind. In managing your projects and expectations you may have to manage the expectations and work styles of others as well.

And then you have your duties outside of the office - family, health, fitness, as well as ensuring that you have time for friends and your hobbies. It may seem overwhelming, but some of the most successful people in the world have had great success in finding solutions to deal with this dilemma.

Here are some fundamental tips to help you manage your time wisely:

1. Journal: Keep a journal of daily tasks and events for a week, in order to get an understanding of how you manage your time throughout the day. Take note of projects and completion times to understand how you work currently and the ways in which you can improve on all levels at work and home. You may even want to note how you feel and even add sketches or even sidebars with recipes to plan quick meals; meditation poses; financial planning tips; inspirational quotes. Review the previous week to see if realistic timelines and projects were achieved – improve and tailor your next day/week of items to suit.

2. Plan: Make a list. First, a daily list of tasks, but make sure that you list them in priority of importance or urgency. This doesn’t mean that you can’t include some easier items but always prioritize. Next, make a weekly list of tasks for the office and the home; and you may even want to project and create a wish list for the month.

3. Avoid Distractions and make sure that your work space is comfortable, clear of clutter and quiet so that you can focus and make the most of your time. You may want to add flowers, a scented plug-in or a family portrait to help you focus and reflect in equal measure.

4. Remember, you must make time to reflect and recharge. Your break may be after a morning of work, then take a half hour or more to listen to music, read, go to the gym at lunch-time or after work, go for a run, or have lunch with a friend or colleague. This is your time to recharge and get ready for the next project - rest assured it will make you work better and smarter. Make sure you’re present and not distracted. Although many of us enjoy multi-tasking, at times it may lead to a lack of focus and efficiency, more stress and less productivity.

5. Try a time management App. - to help you manage your life and work events on the go. And always look to the Human Resources Department for developmental software programmes, wellness or time management training seminars. You won’t regret planning for a better, less stressful, more balanced day.

Looking at the list above, it’s easy to see the compounding effect of time management. We all have 24-hours in a day and these powerful time management tips will help you become a master at managing your time.