Maximize your time 2

Get organised!

Being disorganized only wastes time. Think about the time you spend each day trying to locate something in the workplace or at home. You may need to declutter your living and working environment in order to operate more efficiently. Put things that you don’t need well out of the way — or get rid of them! — and give things that you frequently use a regular home, so you will know where to find them in the future.

Delegate

It seems obvious, but you can free more time up for yourself by getting others to do jobs for you! The idea is to hand over any tasks that someone else can do — particularly if they can do them faster or just as well as you. This can be applied in both your work and home environments. Why not hand over the washing up to the kids in return for the lift you’re going to give them later? In the workplace, consider delegating to a colleague: you never know, they may even welcome being given that particular task — especially if they are good at it!

Multi-task

It is possible to do a few things at the same time to get the most out of the time available. We’re not talking about a massive overload — just combining your tasks well. For example, while you are out on a run you could listen to that ‘learn a foreign language’ tape that you’ve always wanted to listen to. Or if you’re traveling on the train, you might be able to catch up on a good book, or even do a bit of work on your laptop. Planning to do a ‘fun’ activity alongside a routine task will allow you to make the most of whatever it is that you’re doing.

Learn to say ‘no’

Learning not to put all the pressure on yourself by saying ‘no’ can be one of the best things to do to free up some time as well as help you avoid burnout. If someone asks you to do something, ask yourself questions such as ‘Is it my responsibility?’ or ‘Am I the best person for the job?’ If the answer is ‘no’, then don’t take on that particular task. We’re not suggesting that you look for reasons to get out of everything, of course, and you shouldn’t always say ‘no’ when asked to help out — but not being the dumping ground for everyone else’s problems can definitely help to maximise the time you have available.

Keep concentrating

Keeping your focus on the job in hand can help to get it done in next to no time. The only way you can keep your focus is to avoid distractions — whether these are from people or other external influences. Being properly organised helps you to initially focus, but only by avoiding disruptions will you be able to maintain that focus throughout your tasks and activities. If you really need to get on with something, lock yourself away and switch off your phone until you’ve completed a particular task. You’ll have plenty of time later to reply to any messages or missed calls!

Look after yourself

Nobody can be on the go all the time — if you were, you’d soon suffer from burnout! Taking time out and looking after yourself is important, because you will then be able to reach your peak physical and mental levels when necessary. Maintaining a healthy balance in your life should ensure that you respond in the right way and in an efficient manner to problems and tasks — so that whatever needs doing doesn’t take any longer than it should do!

source: realbuzz