Time Management Tips
time management techniques
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80% of results come from 20% of the efforts. Consider how you could achieve the majority of a goal with only 20% of the effort and identify what the effort would be. This will save time and help you achieve more with less energy.
This method involves choosing a task, working on it for 25 minutes, and taking a 5-minute break. After working on the task for four 25-minute sessions, take a 20-30 minute break before continuing.
Create a chart with four squares; label the top and left sides as "urgent," "not urgent," "important," and "not important." Categorize tasks into one of four squares. Complete urgent, important tasks immediately; delegate urgent but unimportant tasks. Schedule a time to complete the important, not urgent tasks, and delete tasks that are neither urgent nor important.
Make a to-do list and classify each task with a letter:
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A: most important, must be completed
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B: should be completed, if not there may be minor consequences
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C: no consequences if not completed, helpful but unnecessary
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D: tasks can be delegated to others
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E: tasks can be eliminated
Organize Tasks
write
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Record tasks in a planner, calendar, or other resource as soon as you learn about them.
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Keep upcoming assignments/events in mind and record them in a spot where you will see them often.
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Create a plan for big projects by splitting them into small pieces; this will help you manage the project and spread the work over several days or weeks.
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Make a daily to-do list before beginning work on anything; keep it short. Write tasks as though they are already completed to motivate yourself (ex: "math problems completed" rather than "complete math problems").
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Record completed tasks even if they aren't on your to-do list to feel more accomplished.
schedule
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Use Sundays to plan the week ahead. Remember you will likely have less energy at the beginning and end of the week; schedule tasks accordingly.
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Create a schedule to use every day and turn it into a habit.
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Break your day into 3-5 sections of time and monitor productivity over several days to discover when you are most efficient; schedule tasks when you are most productive.
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Use blocks of time (include where, when, and for how long) in your daily schedule to plan when to complete everything.
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Set specific tasks and goals to finish each day.
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Set time limits for different tasks. If you schedule time for one task, you are likely to subconsciously take that much time to complete it even if it could be done faster.
determine priority
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Identify weekly priorities; write down all that you have to do and complete the highest priorities first.
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Plan to complete a task at least a day before it is due so there is extra time to ensure it has been done properly.
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Use a technique such as the Eisenhower or ABCDE methods to determine the priority of each task. Evaluate your placement of each task; is everything in the important or urgent boxes truly important or urgent? See what you can delegate (delegation likely will not always be applicable for schoolwork). When deleting tasks, save related documents in case they need to be completed in the future.
start working!
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Work on tasks as soon as possible and avoid saving them for the last minute.
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Remove distractions and have a designated space to complete tasks that has all necessary supplies.
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Keep applications and tabs to a minimum when working electronically.
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Switch between tasks as needed to stay focused, but don't multitask as it is inefficient.
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Give yourself incentives to motivate you; reward yourself when you finish an assignment or meet a goal.
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Take short breaks (use the Pomodoro method or set your own break schedule) to stay focused.
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Wait to answer emails or look at notifications; instead, do this during a break.
Manage stress
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remind yourself that not every task you complete has to be finished perfectly. don't spend hours perfecting something when it is a small task that just needs to be completed
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keep healthy habits such as exercising at least every other day and sleeping for 8+ hours a night to care for both your body and your mind
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schedule time for yourself to relax, especially after you have had a day that required a lot of energy. this can include yoga, meditation, reading, journaling, listening to music, or another activity you enjoy
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understand it's okay to say no and remember to thoroughly consider projects and tasks before agreeing to them
Try these meditations and relaxing music when you're feeling overwhelmed, or incorporate them into your daily routine!