Organizing your time
Organization is crucial to productivity. It can mean keeping items physically in order, but your time and daily activities are also a part of the equation. Organizing your day will help you dedicate time to each task on your to-do list, reduce stress and anxiety and allow you to think clearly.
Here are a few ways to organize your time and get more done.
Time blocks. If your to-do list is full, a calendar that splits your day into time blocks may help. Try designating a task for each block of time. For example, from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m., you might work on trimming the bushes, then from 11 a.m. to 12 p.m., switch to mowing the lawn. This method will allow you to devote time to each task without worrying about the day slipping by too quickly.
Utilize your peak working hours. Your peak hours are when you are most productive. Try tracking how you feel throughout the day. This will help you pinpoint when you are most productive. Then, schedule your most important tasks for this time period so you can get the most done.
Create boundaries. Learning to turn down requests is vital to ensuring you don’t overcommit and risk burnout. Ask yourself if a project or task is a ‘need to have’ or a ‘nice to have.’ Focus on prioritizing what is important and urgent. This will help lower your stress levels and allow you the mental space to do your best work.
Plan your week. Choose a day of the week to schedule your tasks for the next seven days. This can help you avoid scheduling too much into one day and instead spread your projects out to ensure each job gets done without burning yourself out.
Breaking down tasks. Often, a project can feel challenging due to its size. Try breaking it down into smaller tasks and cutting anything that isn’t essential to completing the project. For example, skip creating a Pinterest board and instead get started on drafting the first version of the project.
Establish a morning routine. Having a plan in the morning can boost productivity and help you stay organized. Try writing a few different versions of your ideal morning routine, then give each of them a try to see which works best in practice.
Take care of yourself. While you go about completing everything on your to-do list, remember to take some time for yourself. Scheduling breaks in between each task is a great way to help you shift your focus and recharge before starting your next project.
The purpose of all these exercises, on the surface, is to get more done. However, it’s also important to remember that the underlying reason is to create time to care for yourself and do what you love. So, whether you use these methods to advance your career or spend more time with loved ones, organizing and balancing your time is vital to preserving your wellbeing.
