We are all born procrastinators. Procrastination is usually harmless in small doses. For some this can be the difference between a productive work day and not getting the right things done in a work day. If this sounds like you it is likely that you need some help developing your focus and your time management skills. You might be surprised to learn that eve you can learn good time management skills. You just have to work hard at it and try not to let yourself get too distracted. Here are some time management tips that anybody can use to help them increase their focus and productivity.
Do your best, but don’t expect to be perfect. It’s definitely possible to improve your time management skills, but being perfect is not possible. People who demand perfection of themselves usually get results that are very imperfect. Life isn’t meant to be perfect. The more focus you put on being perfect, the less focus you will have on actually managing your time well and getting your work done. No schedule can be perfectly maintained. Nothing goes exactly the way you planned it. If you do your best, no one can expect more of you. Giving yourself some room to breathe is one of the best things you can do while you work at developing your time management skills.
Everyone has an internal clock, and you should follow yours as much as you can. Evenings are the most productive time of day for some people. “Morning people,” on the other hand, are at their best during the early hours of the day. Lots of other people, meanwhile, are somewhere in the middle and work best in the afternoon.
Try to accommodate your own natural rhythm when you schedule your day. The best time to work on activities that require a lot of focus is when you are naturally most energetic. This way you will be working with yourself instead of against your natural instincts. You’ll feel better about your progress!
Give yourself something to look forward to! Give yourself something to look forward to after you’ve completed your “to do” list. It’s human nature to work more productively when there’s a reward for doing well. Come up with a reward that’s appropriate for you. It doesn’t really matter what the reward is, as long as it provides you with an incentive to get the job done. This may seem like a small thing, but a reward can really make a difference in how you work. Rewards create some balance, so that you have more than just your work on your mind. It’s more fun to work knowing there will be a reward at the end of the day. Having fun actually helps you manage your time better. Time management skills are something that you develop gradually. Everyone is inefficient and disorganized at times. Diversions are everywhere. We all have lazy and unproductive days. Just keep moving forward as much as possible. As you practice your new habits, they will become natural. Soon you will find that you are getting more tasks completed than ever before. You won’t have to think about it anymore. Then your time management abilities will have reached a new level.
