Time Management Tips!

I was having a conversation with a friend recently about something we both struggle with: dealing with our friends and family members that don’t set firm plans. It is nearly inconceivable to me. What my friend and I both agreed on is that we are really busy people and a good plan is sometimes the only way things will get done, or obligations will be met.

This started me thinking on how I manage all my To Dos. The trifecta of counseling, coaching and teaching that is my careeer, plus being a mom and a wife, seeing my friends, running, getting on my yoga mat. Whew. It’s tiring just writing it all down. And we can’t forget basic needs like sleep, and meals. It’s a lot.

So how do I do it? How do I manage everything? It’s actually so much easier than it may seem. Here are some of my best time management habits:

~ Keep organized! Time searching for a missing item, pulling together all I need for work, or tracking down car keys is time wasted. Keeping a tidy space allows for the most efficient use of time.

~ Write everything down, use alarms. I am a big fan of calendars and written lists. I also sometimes need the extra step of using the alarm function on my electronic device during especially frenetic times. I learned long ago that I won’t remember everything and written lists pick up where my memory may leave off.

~ Set boundaries. Sometimes this will mean turning down an an invitation or vocalizing a limitation. Sometimes this means asking for (and accepting!) help. Sometimes it just means telling the people around me what I am struggling with so they understand.

~ Prioritize! What are the things I want to do versus what are the things that I need to do? How do they intersect and when will I need to make a difficult choice?

~ Self-care!! Finally, the most important lesson I’ve learned is that if I don’t take care of myself nothing else is getting done. It’s not selfish - it’s vital and non-negotiable.