Content

• To step
• Necessities
• Tips
• Warnings

These days, time seems to be a valuable thing. We have devices that keep us constantly connected to work, with friends and family, and sometimes even with complete strangers. As a result, it is easy to get distracted. If you are like most of us you have to achieve a lot. We'll show you a great way to do that!

To step

1. First, prepare yourself by taking a 30-minute break to eat and relax. Then make a list of all the tasks you need to do. But before you can manage your time, you need to know what "managing" means. A list of tasks, from the mundane to the critical, will help you get a handle on what needs to be done.
   • Assign realistic priorities to each task:
     • Priority 1: By 6:00 PM TODAY
     • Priority 2: by 6 PM TOMORROW
     • Priority 3: By THE END of the week
     • Priority 4: in the course of next week
   • You can further prioritize tasks within this group by adding a decimal. For example, a task with Priority 1.0 should be done IMMEDIATELY, while a task with Priority 1.5 should be done by the end of the day.
2. Sleep for about 6 to 8 hours a night. Getting the right amount of sleep will help you stay alert and energized, think clearly, and allow you to keep functioning at a fast pace.

Necessities

• Managing your time can be as easy as jotting down daily tasks on a piece of paper.
• Pencil
• Pen
• Paper
• Gum
• Highlighter
• Laptop or Computer
• Smart phone
• To-do list, calendar, or time management software

Tips

• Take advantage of all the small openings of time that tend to be wasted during the day. Whether it's the 15 minutes between class and lunch, or the 20 minutes from when you wake up in the morning to when your kids wake up, use those extra minutes to complete something, because little bits add up to something big.
• Set aside the concept of "everything must be done yesterday" to create realistic priorities.
• Leave a short break between tasks for coincidences - a phone call, a sudden craving for marionberry yogurt, or for you teleworkers, putting that roast in the oven.
• Complete a task from start to finish. Do you know that "I deserve a cookie!" moments? They are good. Establish checkpoints and each time you hit one, reward yourself with something that takes little time and concentration, if it needs to be done during the project.
• Don't overdo it by overwhelming your day with unrealistic planning that is difficult to complete.
• Choose subjects and not verbs. List ideas and allocate time by topic.
• Keep track of your productive time with a chess clock. Establish a more realistic schedule once you know the actual time it takes to complete a task. Just knowing that a particular task won't take more than half an hour will motivate you to complete it.
• Set your own rules to measure your performance per time intervals.

Warnings

• Be flexible and relaxed. Allow the unexpected into your life. Other things can take precedence over a rigid and methodical routine. With most unusual circumstances, it shouldn't take more than an hour or a few days to get back to your usual schedule.