Just checking your inbox in the morning can seem overwhelming, let alone figuring out how to get it all done. While you can’t change the amount of time you have, you can always adjust the way you manage it.
Start with the most challenging task, at your best time of day.
1. Know what time of day you’re at your best
When mornings aren’t your strong point, don’t feel bad about starting a challenging project after lunch.
Studies suggest that being an early riser or a night owl might actually be in your genes. Regardless, understanding when you work best is key to getting more done with less time. For example, if you tend to leap out of bed in the morning with plenty of energy, take advantage of it by tackling your hardest task first.
When mornings aren’t your strong point, don’t feel bad about starting a challenging project after lunch, because you’re likely to get it done much faster anyway. When you figure out your high productivity times, you can schedule relaxation or easy jobs around them.
2. Get things started the right way
Even if you know which time of day is most productive for you, it’s often hard to kick things off. When you create a ‘get started’ routine, your brain and body will soon catch on, so it’s more of an automatic process. This way, you won’t feel like you’re forcing yourself to do things, which only leads to procrastination.
An easy way to get used to routine is to set triggers to encourage a productive mindset. So, if you like to go for a walk in the morning, then relax with a cup of tea, that’s your starting point. Use finishing your tea as a trigger point, to start your most challenging task. If that’s to complete an important project, don’t put the washing on, check emails or do anything else first. Those things will wait until later in the day, when you don’t need the extra brain power.
Outsource weaknesses and focus on strengths to save time.
3. Outsource your weaknesses
Can you imagine all the time you’ve wasted over the years, struggling to understand or do something for little, or no reward? You don’t need to do everything on your own, nor is anything entirely in your control. This kind of thinking does nothing but waste time and produce inferior results. Time management is all about working to your strengths and outsourcing your weaknesses, rather than focusing on them.
First up, this means identifying where you require the skills of others, so you can start outsourcing. Maximise your potential by not trying to be everything to everyone and you’ll automatically invest more energy in your strengths.
Where does this lead? To getting more done, with less time.
The Author
Nicole Leigh West
Nicole Leigh West is the author of fiction novel, 'The Gypsy Trail' and an internationally recognised travel and lifestyle writer.