For a few months, I was struggling with my full-time job (work-from-home), freelance assignments, personal blog, and household chores.
So much so that I had to skip my morning walks and yoga sessions to complete my unfinished work and meet the deadlines.
The worst part was I felt completely drained out and super irritated at the end of the day.
My husband gave a few pep talks on how to develop time management skills. But I always laughed it out.
Nevertheless, I could not ignore the fact that I was bad at time management any more.
It was like everything was out of control. My house was at sixes and sevens, I was creeping and crawling to meet the deadlines at work, couldn’t write anything for my blog, couldn’t play with my daughters, and sit with them while they did their homework.
I was missing out on a lot. And this was not what I signed up for.
So, I told to myself loud and clear, “ENOUGH IS ENOUGH!”
What’s next?
I decided to mend my ways.
How to develop time management skills: My Journey
If you too think that there should be 48 hours in a day to complete your chores, welcome onboard!
You really needs tip on how to develop time management skills.
I was praying to God for another 24-hour extension in a day.
Guess that’s not going to happen anytime soon!
So, I started channelling my energy into acquiring time management skills.
After contemplating my situation, I realized I have a few problems, and they all have solutions.
Problem No.1: not preparing a to-do list
Surprisingly, I had never tried to prepare a to-do list. It was common for me to forget to do important work. Remembering the entire day’s work without noting it down in a list form was no longer working for me.
Solution: I started preparing a to-do list
Now, I have started making my to-do list.
Why do I need one?
A to-do list can help (especially for a work-from-home content marketer or freelancer like me) by providing a clear outline of tasks, deadlines, and priorities, ensuring efficient time management and organization.
It also serves as a roadmap, helping me to stay focused, track progress, and meet client expectations effectively.
Problem No.2: I easily lose my calm
During the lockdown, I joined a yoga and meditation class and it helped me stay focused. But once life came to normalcy, I stopped doing meditation.
I didn’t feel the need for it.
However, I realized that meditation and yoga helped me stay calm and stress-free. Without meditation, I was irritated when there was too much of a workload. With so much on my plate, staying calm and focused had become a distant dream.
Solution: I have started meditating
It’s been a few months now, and I have started my yoga and meditation sessions again.
Trust me, It’s working. I feel calmer, happier and much more focused.
Problem No.3: I felt I was running against time to meet deadlines
I would start working at 9 and work till 9. But couldn’t complete my work. So I would wake up early and try to complete it.
Solution: Started time blocking
I have started time blocking.
I now have dedicated time for all my office work, personal brand-building content creation, household chores, and self-care.
How does it work?
- I identify my task
- Assign time for each task in my schedule
- Arrange the time block in order of priority
- Set boundaries and focus only on one task at a time. While working on my tasks, I avoid all distractions
- I am now flexible and prepared for the unexpected. If needed I make changes to my schedule. I acknowledge the fact that self-love is important, so I don’t tire myself racing against time.
- I review my schedule at the end of the week and if needed, make necessary changes.
Problem No.4: I would work without a break and exhaust myself
Those who are working from home will easily understand the state of quandary our community feels when something unexpected crops up.
Whether it is the domestic help ditching you at the last moment or sudden visits to the kids’ school, you name it and we have it all.
A few days back, it happened to me and I became a fire-breathing dragon at the end of the day.
Solution: Started taking a mini break whenever I felt like
The next time it happened, I just took a break from everything and went for a brisk walk.
It worked for me, as by the time I entered home, I was much calmer and it really felt good.
Problem No. 5: No boundaries with kids
I have two kids and they would come now and then (especially the younger one) with their queries and complaints. I would feel bad about turning them down, so I end up listening to them every time, while they whinge.
Solution: I have set boundaries with them now
I have set clear boundaries with my kids about my work hours and the importance of uninterrupted time during designated work periods.
Nowadays, when they come home from school I spend time with them (maybe an hour or so). That also works as a break for me. We have our meal together, chat for a while and then they get busy with their friends and extracurricular activities.
After 7 pm, I sit with them, helping them with their homework, or chatting about the same old what-happened-in-the-school stuff.
I have noticed they are happy with the new arrangement. Truth be told, I am happy, too.
Problem No. 6: I would try completing big tasks in one go
As a content marketer, I write, edit, and review content the entire day. Though I had designated time for office work and my brand-building work, it never occurred to me that I could break work into manageable chunks. So, I got exhausted trying to complete a blog for my site after completing my office work.
I love to cook and try to cook the entire meal for dinner most days. Trying to do both blogging and cooking at the same time, sometimes turned nightmarish.
Solution: I now break my tasks into manageable chunks
Instead of attempting to write an entire blog in one sitting, I now break it down into smaller tasks such as outlining key points, conducting research for each section, drafting individual paragraphs, and then editing for clarity and coherence.
I prepare one sabzi, or a salad at a time for dinner. On special occasions, if I feel like cooking an entire meal, I ask my domestic help to cut the veggies.
Problem No. 7: My mind got diverted easily
I love to watch series on Netflix and when I started watching a series I would end up binge-watching. I would watch Netflix while working, which impacted my speed of typing, and quality of work. The situation was not working very well for me. So I decided to change it.
Solution No. 8: I now have designated half an hour for entertainment
I have completely stopped watching anything during work hours and even before and after work. I have a 30-minute mid-day break, during which I either watch my favorite series or read a few pages from a novel.
At times, I note down inspiring quotes in my diary, and that brings positivity to me.
This practice has worked for me, as after reading or watching the series I feel refreshed and can concentrate on my work even better.
What are the tools and techniques to improve time management skills?
Let’s talk about some of the effective time management techniques that can help you boost your productivity:
Do It Now
I have a dangerous habit which is to procrastinate. This technique has worked well for me and the moment I started applying it all my procrastination vanished.
Steve Pavlina, known for his work as a self-help author, motivational speaker, and entrepreneur, encourages embracing a ‘do it now’ mentality.
I am a big fan of Pavlina’s “do it now” mentality. Whenever I feel lazy, I remind myself to just do it now, which saves me a lot of time. Pavlina also suggests living by a 60-second rule for making decisions – no need to overthink, just pick one and go for it.
Eat that frog
As a procrastinating individual, I tend to avoid the most challenging task. By doing that I waste a huge amount of time.
The frog in Eat that frog technique is the most challenging and important task. This technique was invented by Brian Tracy. After reading about this technique, I have started taking the biggest and most important challenge head-on.
Completing the most challenging one first makes the rest of my tasks look like child’s play. It gives me satisfaction that I completed a difficult task and that brings positivity in my mind.
Mind Mapping:
I find mind mapping to be a creative technique that visually arranges information, ideas, and tasks, promoting brainstorming and aiding in comprehensive planning and task management.
Here’s how it works for me:
Step 1: I choose a central focus, such as a goal or task, and write it down in the center of my page.
Step 2: Then, I create branches coming out from the main topic, adding any sub-ideas, tasks, and plans that come to mind.
Step 3: I assign deadlines or estimated completion times and plan accordingly.
Mind mapping proves to be an efficient way for me to organize my thoughts, inspiring me to stay creative while effectively managing time when dealing with larger projects.
Your only option is to manage time efficiently
Not managing time well enough affects us all, but there’s no magic to make a day longer than 24 hours.
Once you accept this fact, you will be able to find solutions to your problems and will learn how to develop time management skills. And to be precise, discipline, consistency, and focus are the traits that are essential for time management.
I know everyone’s situation as well as journey is different and personality-wise every individual is different. But it’s a perform or perish situation.
The best part is you can change what is in your hand. You have two options in your hand.
You can change your situation by developing time management skills to achieve your dreams and goals or you can stay unchanged and get overwhelmed by the enormous pressure of workload and the guilt of not doing enough.
Tell me which option would you pick?
FAQs
What is the 8+8+8 rule of time management?
As per this rule, you need to distribute the time of a day in three equal parts, eight hours of hard work, eight hours of sleep and eight hours of leisure activity.
What is 70 30 rule of time management?
This rule is especially for those who have their own business. According to this rule, you need to invest 70% of your time focusing on today’s activities and 30% of your time on tomorrow’s activities.
What is 1440 rule of time management?
When you follow this rule of time management, you have to keep in mind that there are 1440 minutes in a day, so you need to spend your time on activities that really matter.