Time is widely regarded as life’s greatest equalizer. No matter your age, race, religion, or socioeconomic status, you have the same amount of time to accomplish the things you want to do as every other person, and how you manage that time ultimately determines your success.
Time management is one of the most beneficial skills you can have, and it plays an integral role in increasing productivity and accomplishing goals. If you’re looking to optimize the 24-hours you get in a day and change the way you work for the better, these five time management tips are a great place to start!
1. Know Where Your Time Management Weaknesses Lie
The most effective way to become better at something that doesn’t come naturally to you is to identify where your weaknesses in that area lie and this rule most definitely applies to time management. Finding out where you’re wasting the most time, whether that be texting, checking your Instagram, or diving deep into Reddit threads, will help you set appropriate goals to address these habits. Before you know it, sticking to your goal of not sending non-work related messages while you’re working or refraining from pulling up your feed will turn into a habit.
2. Break Down Bigger Tasks
Having a big project ahead of you can oftentimes feel overwhelming, and many of us fall prey to procrastination in these situations. An excellent way to tackle this issue and make sure the job gets done on time is to break down large tasks into smaller, more manageable steps by creating a to-do list. Slow and steady wins the race!
3. Prioritize Tasks
Prioritizing your tasks wisely will ensure you’re not left scrambling to get important projects done at the last minute after you’ve finished easier and more enjoyable work. Ask yourself questions like Will there be negative consequences if I don’t get this task completed today? Which tasks will have the most significant impact on my business? These questions will help you determine the tasks that need to be tackled right away.
4. Set Clear Deadlines
Making use of a calendar and sticking to artificial deadlines you set out for yourself is a surefire way to keep yourself accountable and get the job done. Setting clear deadlines also minimizes the chance of you experiencing elevated stress levels as you get closer to the actual deadline of a project.
5. Be Open to Offloading Work
As tempting as it is to do everything yourself, sometimes the best use of your time and talents is to delegate and outsource work. Offloading work is an immediate time-saver, and the end result of handing your responsibilities off to a freelancer or coworker is usually more helpful than harmful.
By putting these time management tips into practice, you’ll reap the benefits of working smart, not hard! And if you’re looking for a place where you can dedicate your time solely to your business endeavours, Project Spaces is the perfect spot for just that.
With two coworking spaces located in downtown Toronto, flexible membership programs that suit a wide array of work styles, and a founder-friendly community unlike any other, Project Spaces can help you get to where you want to go and introduce you to some badass entrepreneurs along the way. Book a tour of our coworking spaces today!
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