Timely Tips for Self-Management

MERRYLANDS, Australia - Nov. 23, 2013 - PRLog -- How well do you manage your time?

I’m always amused by that question.

We can’t “manage our time”, as we all have the same number of hours in a day. What we can do is manage ourselves within the time. Though that is easier said than done, especially in the hectic world of the 21st century!

Are you juggling too many tasks?

When we feel stressed and overwhelmed by all that needs to be done, it can impact on everything we do – from the way we communicate with others to our productivity.

Stress can bring about the following symptoms:

• Not listening

• Becoming abrupt with others

• Interrupting others

• Impatience

• Easily distracted

• Unable or forgetting to complete tasks

To help manage stress and its symptoms, and to maximise your productivity, it’s important to manage the way you work. Try these tips to get the best out of you and your time.

1. Prioritise your tasks

Look closely at your list of ‘things to do’.

Which items on the list are important and essential to your role or business? Prioritise them.

Avoid writing longs lists. Instead, divide tasks into manageable chunks or categories.

2. Set boundaries

Life in the information-technology era means we are accessible 24 hours per day, seven days per week. It is important to discipline ourselves, set boundaries around our work and non-work hours and make it clear to others when we will be available. This includes simple tasks such as checking emails. Check your emails at specific times during the day, and only at those times.

Clearly communicate to others when you will be available.

Set time aside to work on certain tasks. During that time, set your phone to go directly to voice mail. Limiting distractions will not only give you more time to focus on your tasks but also make it easier for you to complete your tasks.

3. Delegate when possible

Working for yourself doesn’t mean that you have to do everything yourself. There is the option of outsourcing some tasks.

In my case, I was beginning to feel overwhelmed by the number of tasks I needed to complete during a day just to ensure the business continued smoothly. When I realised that some tasks could be outsourced, I found I had more time to work on the important tasks in my business.

Manage yourself within the time you have available and you may find time to be much more manageable.

What are your tips for self-management?