16 answers
Samantha Kata
Samantha’s Answer
Hello Julia,
This is a great question. There are several right answers to this question. I think it is important to find a strategy that meets your needs. I like to make lists that I update daily/weekly. I divide my tasks into four quadrants: important/urgent, important/not urgent, urgent/not important, not urgent/not important. I understand that tasks may move between these quadrants as other problems emerge throughout the day.
Something that has really helped me improved my time management skills is setting timers. I only allow myself a set time for certain tasks. For example, if I need to take a break from working on something I will set a timer so that I know when it is time to get back to work.
Another strategy that I use is setting a timer for 10 minutes each night before I go to bed. I use this ten minutes to prepare myself for the following day. This may include setting out my gym clothes for the morning, backpacking my backpack for work, preparing the coffee pot, ironing my clothes etc.
Please let me know if you thry these and find them helpful!
Tricia’s Answer
Angela’s Answer
Shruti’s Answer
There are many ways to organize your time! You can use applications like google calendar and notion as well as to-do lists. Before you do this, you have to learn how to prioritize the things you have to get done and rank them based on importance. After you can organize what needs to be done and go from there.
Anna’s Answer
I create to do lists, then block my time out on my calendar accordingly. I usually keep all of my work-related to-dos and tasks in a digital way (using outlook and a to do list on my computer) and I keep my personal to-dos and activities in a written day planner. It's easier for me to keep track and segment my time that way! I think it's a good idea to try a few different ways and find what works best for you, because I know that my strategy requires some extra work. :)
Jonathon’s Answer
Hi Julia,
The way that I manage my time is a to do list with dates that I would like to get things done by. This allows for you to see what is getting close needing to be done but also allows for you to see how much you are loading up on work. Some people I know do this on a day to day basis but it really depends on what works for you and adjusting it to find that solution that works you, but there is nothing better than being able to see what you were able to complete in a day when looking back at your to do list.
Akshita’s Answer
I also create time-table for daily basis (every week), which helps me organize time.
Simeon’s Answer
Scott’s Answer
Julie’s Answer
This helps me avoid adding things to my list in order to procrastinate what I really don’t want to do but need to.
Amra’s Answer
Get yourself a good planner for the entire year.
First: Enter things that happen on an annual basis first, such as: annual dr. visits (or semiannual to see your dentist, eye doctor etc), annual registration of your car, annual oil change, annual membership expirations that you must pay, annual vacations that you plan in advance, doing taxes....
Second: Then do the same for the monthly frequencies such as: rent payment, credit card payments, holidays that you have off, and where you want to be at that time, grocery shopping (maybe twice monthly) etc.
Third: Finally, enter daily tasks that you want to accomplish and distribute them based on their deadlines...
Make sure that you do not have one endless to do list that either keeps growing, or never gets shorter, because you cross the items on the top, but keep adding them in the bottom. Those to do lists never got me anywhere, but a good planner in which I made time for everything I need to get done in advance was a perfect tool for me. The only thing is you have to stick with it: honor yourself, and if you promised something will get done on Thursday, then by all means, get it done. That does not mean you cannot postpone things for later, but doing things this way you will not be under the constant feeling that you always run somewhere, never get anything done, or are totally forgetting something.
Hope this helps!
Flora’s Answer
Beyond that work through things methodically.
write lists of things that need to be done and tick them off as you go. I have post-it notes all over my computer so I dont forget things, and put reminders in my diary.
Don't forget that priorities change and that has an impact on other things.
Take a deep breath. Sometimes you may work very hard on something, for it all to change, it happens so dont get too hung up on it.
Keep communicating with your team and/or boss!
Christian’s Answer
Ryan’s Answer
JT’s Answer
I prioritize similar to the respondents above. I heavily utilize tasks with reminders and calendar placeholders in my email to carve out time based on the nature of the tasks.
