Time management - learning techniques

We never stop learning new things, and time management is no exception. Whether you're new to time management or a seasoned master, these suggestions will help you progress in your learning journey.

N° 19: Turn your system into a habit

It is important to turn the principles presented above into long-term habits. Putting these time management techniques into practice on a regular basis can help to cultivate a productive mentality.

Set a fair timetable that you can stick to in the long run (at least a month). Over time, these behaviours will become more automatic. Research published in the European Journal of Social Psychology discovered that it takes more than 2 months for a new behaviour to become automatic—66 days to be exact—so don't be too hard on yourself if it takes a while to acquire these habits.

N° 20: Until then, let go of undesirable habits

Starting small is the greatest approach to break bad habits. Break major problematic behaviors into tiny parts, or start with your lesser negative habits. Smaller changes are less likely to provoke physiological stress reactions, making them simpler to accept and repeat for your body and mind.

Choose a habit, set a timetable, and stick to it. As you stick to this strategy, it will become simpler to break free from your old, ineffective behaviors.

N° 21: Avoid multitasking

Multitasking is contrary to productivity. According to research, people who multitask have a more difficult time avoiding distractions than those who focus. Furthermore, multitasking might have an effect on your cognitive abilities.

Choose one task, set a timer, and focus solely on that task until you complete it or the timer expires. This will help you maintain your concentration as well as your quality requirements.

N° 22: Don't wait for inspiration, take action immediately!

Some painters wait for inspiration, other authors wait for writer's block to pass, and some businesses wait for the ideal, silent work atmosphere to complete difficult tasks. If you're continually waiting for the perfect moment, you'll be unprepared when it arrives.

Attempting to work through moments of poor inspiration may also provide ideas and concentration. "Inspiration is for amateurs; the rest of us just show up and get to work," artist Chuck Close once remarked.

N° 23: Don't aim for perfection

Perfect, as the cliche goes, is the enemy of good. Can anything ever be good enough when everything has to be perfect? Most likely not. Done is preferable to flawless.

To excel, you must fail frequently and learn from your errors. Consider every endeavour to be an experiment—a vital step on your path, regardless of the outcome.

N° 24: Don't get too caught up on the little things

Instead of obsessing on perfection, consider the larger picture. Concentrate on your priorities rather than the small details of your task. Don't sweat the minor stuff; instead, focus on the most essential activities on your to-do list.

N° 25: Make the most of your calendar

A calendar can be used for much more than just meeting scheduling. Use your calendar to set off time for concentrated work, keep track of deadlines, and automatically add locations to events.

Using a calendar more actively will enable you in taking control of your time. If you believe that a scheduled entry will not progress your day's plans, just cancel it.

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The next article will be about work-life balance.

In the meantime, feel free to contact me to discuss how I can help you manage your time better!

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