Time Management Techniques to Reduce Stress and Boost Productivity
What’s the one thing you can never get back? Time! That’s why managing it effectively is imperative.
At Shaw Search Partners, we encourage our candidates to focus their time so they have control over their most valuable resource. Time management is the process of planning and exercising control over the amount of time spent on specific activities, especially to increase effectiveness, efficiency, and productivity. This isn’t a skill that you're born with, and it's not something you have to be good at naturally.
So how can you best manage your time?
Prioritize tasks.
Set goals.
Create a schedule, including deadlines and time frames for each task you need to complete.
Use task lists--either in your calendar or on paper--to keep track of what's on your plate at any given time, so that you can plan ahead for upcoming projects (and avoid getting overwhelmed).
Delegate tasks whenever possible; it's better for someone else who knows how to do something well than it is for you!
Eliminate distractions by turning off notifications and closing other apps when working on something important; this makes sure nothing gets in the way of getting things done efficiently
Break down tasks into manageable pieces. If you're overwhelmed by the amount of work on your plate, try breaking down large projects into smaller chunks. This will also help prevent procrastination by giving you something concrete to work towards each day--and it gives off an air of confidence when others see how much progress has been made!
There are a number of tools you can use to help with time management. These include:
Time tracking software, which allows you to record how much time you spend on different tasks and projects. It also helps identify where your time is going so that you can make more efficient use of it in the future.
Calendar applications, such as Google Calendar or Microsoft Outlook Calendar (for Windows users). These are useful for keeping track of appointments and other events in advance so that they don't get forgotten about later on in the day when they come up unexpectedly.
Task management applications like Trello or Asana allow users to create lists of tasks related to different projects or areas at work, then arrange them into columns according to their status (to-do list items will appear at one end while finished ones go at another). This makes it easier for employees who need to access only certain parts of these lists without having access all at once; they simply click on whichever part part they want instead of opening up all sections simultaneously.
Once you get a handle on managing your time. How do things improve?
Increased productivity: Time management helps you get more done in less time, which means more available time and less stress for yourself!
Improved focus: When you know what needs to get done, it's easier to do it!
Better organization: With clear goals set out ahead of time (and written down!) there will be no confusion about where things should go when they're completed; instead of having piles everywhere around the office floor space (or home office), things will feel more manageable.
How can you reduce stress with time?
Identify stressors.. Stressors can be anything that causes you to feel overwhelmed, such as a tight deadline or an overwhelming workload. mindfulness.
Mindfulness is a meditative practice that involves focusing on the present moment without judgment, being aware of your thoughts and feelings without reacting to them in any way.
Take breaks during your workday to stretch, walk around outside for a few minutes, do some yoga poses or even just take deep breaths--whatever helps you relax! Exercise regularly--even if it's just walking around the block once per day--to reduce fatigue and increase energy levels so that you can focus better on work tasks later on when they start piling up again (or before bedtime if possible).
And make sure to not only get enough sleep every night but also eat well: skipping meals or eating junk food throughout the day will only make matters worse
The key to time management is understanding your priorities and setting realistic goals for yourself. It's important to know what needs to get done in a day or week so that there aren't any surprises when it comes time for your next review meeting with your boss (or when she calls). It's also important not to overcommit yourself by agreeing on too many projects at once--you'll only end up feeling stressed out about how much work there is left on each project before its deadline arrives! Instead of agreeing on everything under pressure from others around us, take some time out every day or week just to reflect. What commitments are you making personally and professionally? How are you spending your time? At Shaw Search Partners, we’re not only focused on Boston and Rhode Island recruiting, we are a nationwide recruitment firm and we’re also committed to helping candidates holistically.
Read other blog posts like How to Write a Compelling Professional Statement or How to Network Remotely for helpful advice on your career journey.