How to Manage Your Time
We all know someone who is notoriously late. No matter how hard they try, they never seem to be on time. That someone used to be me.
When it came to work and professional commitments, I was almost always on time, unless there were unpredictable circumstances like unusual traffic that got in the way. I often even arrived early at the office.
But when it came to my personal life, I was almost always late. I was always rushing from one appointment to the next; it was a constant state of stress. My friends used to say, “Naomi, she is always late and always worth the wait.” I used to console myself with the thought that, although I was always late, they could always count on me to show up for them. I was a stickler for commitment and loyalty. I used to get extremely frustrated with myself for never being on time. Negative self-talk would follow, making the experience even less pleasant to deal with. I would even go so far as to say that I had the limiting belief, “No matter how hard I try, I am terrible at time management.” I felt defeated and accepted it as a part of me that I did not like.
In the process of becoming a coach, everything suddenly became very clear, and I noticed that I was, in fact, capable of managing my time effectively with the right approach. Whether you are currently always late, would like to work on your time management, or know someone who is dealing with this challenge, here are some tips on how to give yourself the best chance at being on time.
1. Schedule EVERYTHING in your calendar! By creating a visual overview of your day, it is easier to estimate what you can fit into your day. When I say everything, I mean both your professional and personal commitments. This includes lunch, exercise, sleep time, washing, and even time for yourself.
2. Schedule your day according to your energy. Figure out when your high-energy and low-energy times are and plan your "to-dos" accordingly. You are more likely to be productive, effective, and accomplish more tasks.
3. Be realistic about how much time you have. Taking on too many commitments sets unattainable expectations for yourself and sabotages your chances of managing your time effectively.
4. Time yourself. If you have challenges estimating how long things take, why not time them? Many of our daily tasks are routine activities and can be timed. Once you know how long these take, you'll have a better overview of your available time.
5. Prioritize your tasks. Look at the things you want to accomplish and assess which are the most important. What is a necessity? What would be nice to do? What can wait for a different time? Which tasks can be eliminated altogether?
6. Deal with your FOMO (Fear of Missing Out). FOMO is thought to involve two processes. The first is the perception of missing out, followed by compulsive behavior to ensure you're not missing out (Gupta & Sharma, 2021). Ways to deal with your FOMO include limiting time spent on social media, practicing gratitude, and accepting that you can't be everywhere or have everything. Identify what truly matters to you in the long run and invest your time accordingly.
The above tips can be valuable for successfully managing your time. If you're feeling overwhelmed and uncertain about how to implement these changes in your life, don't hesitate to reach out. I'd be happy to support you in the process.
Sources:
Gupta, M., & Sharma, A. (2021). Fear of missing out: A brief overview of origin, theoretical underpinnings and relationship with mental health. World Journal of Clinical Cases, 9 (19), 4881.
