Content

• To step
• Method 1 of 3: Using a list
• Method 2 of 3: Using a schedule
• Method 3 of 3: Eliminating distractions

Maybe you're a student with a full study load agenda and you're trying to manage your time better, or you're an employer who wants to make sure his employees stop wasting time. Regardless of your role, you will likely want to focus on how to create a daily routine that will ensure that you don't waste time and get the most out of your day that you can. Organizational strategies such as lists and schedules can be helpful, as can taking steps to eliminate any distractions that consume your valuable time.

To step

Method 1 of 3: Using a list

1. Create a list of your tasks for the day. Start with a piece of paper and a pen. Think about the tasks you want to schedule for the day or the obligations you have and write them all down. This could be a list like "groceries, laundry, cleaning, homework" or "customer status reports, emails, meeting, paperwork."
   • Add as many tasks as you can think of to the list, from the smaller ones to the bigger ones. Try to think of each obligation or task for the day to make sure it gets on your priority list.
2. Organize tasks from highest to lowest priority. One way to work smarter is to first focus on the highest priority and then work your way through the list to the points with the lowest priority. This is called the 80/20 rule whereby the activities that will offer you the greatest benefit should take up 80% of your time. The activities that yield you the least should take up about 20% of your time.
   • Go through your list and give each task a number, from highest to lowest priority. Then you should place them in order, so that they are ordered from highest to lowest, given priority and what each task brings you.
3. Create groups of related tasks. Once you have a numbered and ordered list of priorities, create smaller groups of tasks that make up a particular process. For example, create a group of tasks such as responding to emails and calling customers that make up a one-hour process and call it "customer contact." You can then smoothly and easily complete any task within that allotted time frame.
   • Try to do this for all your tasks so you don't have to switch between different processes or waste your time figuring out which task to complete next. Grouping related tasks will help you improve your time management and reduce your stress as you work through the priority list.
4. Give yourself less time for each task. According to Parkinson's law, having less time to complete a task will mean less time to do that task. Rather than overallocating time, limit the time you free up for each task so that you are forced to complete that task faster. You can start with this gently, gradually taking less time for each task, until you reach the ideal point where you don't feel like you need to rush, but also don't have time to linger or waste.
   • Over time, you will have developed a good sense of time management, especially if you are forced to spend no more than a limited amount of time on each task. This is helpful if you tend to stick to the same routine, or if you are dealing with a similar list of tasks every day.
5. Reward yourself when the list is complete. Once you've ticked off all the tasks on your list, usually at the end of your workday, you should give yourself a small reward. This could be a nice dinner, a glass of wine or time for fun and relaxation. Rewarding yourself will ensure that you have the motivation to complete all of your tasks every day.
   • You can also determine what your reward will be before starting the day so that you can use the reward as motivation for completing your tasks. For example, say you have to study for a test and have plans to go out to dinner with friends. Then use those plans for that dinner as a reason to keep studying and complete this task today so that you don't miss out on the dinner.

Method 2 of 3: Using a schedule

1. Make a schedule for every hour of your day. Write this on a piece of paper or use a calendar on your computer to create boxes for each hour of your workday, or the hours of the day you are awake. This can be from nine to five or from ten to seven. While you don't have to fill in every time period accurately to the minute, it can be helpful to make sure that every hour of your day is included in your schedule.
   • Start by filling each hour of the day with the required task for that day. You can start with the most important tasks and then continue working until you get to the least important tasks. If you consider yourself a morning person, you can decide to schedule the more difficult tasks earlier in the day, but if you know that you usually only get started after lunch, you can decide to do the more complicated tasks a little later in the day. day. Try to adapt your schedule to your own needs and work habits, as that way, if you start using it, the chances of success of the schedule will be higher.
   • You can create a template for your schedule on a whiteboard or a calendar (on your mobile device) so that you can update it every day, depending on your schedule for that day.
2. Give yourself a 10 minute break every one to two hours. It can be difficult to focus on a task or group of tasks for more than 1-2 hours. Make sure to take a 10-minute break every hour or every two hours so that you don't feel overworked or overworked. During this mini-break, you should get up and walk around the office or talk to a colleague in the cafeteria. You can grab a cup of coffee or take a short walk outside. Try to make the breaks no longer than 10 minutes or less so that your schedule is not upset.
   • You can also take 10 deep breaths every hour to clear your mind and take a break. This can help you gain a different perspective on the task you are doing or will be doing, and keep you focused on yourself for a while, despite your busy workday.
3. Try to complete each task correctly the first time. It's better to take your time and get each task done correctly right away than rushing through your calendar and skipping a beat to each task. Going through your emails quickly can lead to persistent email exchanges, especially if you're sending cryptic or confusing emails to customers. Step on the brakes and take the time to write clear e-mails, or to read your notes from school. Getting a task right the first time can save you a lot of wasted time in the long run.
4. Ask a friend or colleague to keep you on your toes every now and then. Sometimes we need the support of others to stay focused on the tasks that need to be done. Ask a close friend, parent, sibling, or co-worker to check on you from time to time to make sure you're sticking to your schedule.
   • They can then bring you a cup of coffee or say something nice so you can take a moment to smile or laugh, and then get back to your daily tasks. While you can be busy, a brief moment of socializing with a friend can lift your mood and lead to better time management.

Method 3 of 3: Eliminating distractions

1. Avoid haphazardly checking your emails. Randomly checking your email can create a “start-stop-start” pattern in your workday and lead to wasted time. Avoid constantly opening your email program throughout the day, especially if you are supposed to focus on a completely different task. Schedule 3 times during the day to check your email: early morning, after lunch, and mid-afternoon. This ensures that you are not distracted all day long by a continuous stream of emails, and that you have set aside time to spend on handling your emails.
   • The same principle can be applied to other forms of communication, such as your voicemail, text messages or phone calls. Don't try to be reachable all the time unless you're expecting an important message or phone call. This limits any interruptions to your workflow and helps you stick to your schedule.
2. Turn off your phone and internet connection. If possible, choose at least an hour of your working day that your phone and the internet connection are off. In this way you can fully concentrate on your work where necessary, without any distraction from your telephone or internet.
   • Saving yourself this distraction can also help you write a thesis or a comprehensive report. Muting your phone ensures that you don't have an excuse to check your phone every five minutes or get sucked into scrolling through social media.
3. Let others around you know that you don't want to be disturbed. Try not to encourage others to distract you or be a distraction to others by letting everyone around you know that you are working.This could mean closing your door or putting up a sign saying you don't want to be disturbed. You can also send an email around the office to remind everyone that certain times are quiet office hours.
4. Try not to get distracted from your routine. Once you've made a list of tasks (or work schedule), including safety precautions to avoid being distracted, use your willpower and concentration to stick to your routine. Most people know the difference between time well used and time wasted, so be careful not to fall into a time-wasting trap. Use your schedule as support, and at the end of the day you will enjoy the feeling of accomplishment and time well spent.