“Wait — where did the time go?” Have you ever been on deadline and felt like time simply vanished? Or, have you worked diligently towards a goal, but felt like you had little to show for all the hours you put in? Poor time management might be the culprit. Melissa Kessler Healthcare Academic & Finance Coach at EdAssist by Bright Horizons®, is here to help. With 20+ years of experience, she’s a pro at swinging the time-management pendulum in your favor (she completed her bachelor’s and master’s while working full-time!).
Read on for Melissa’s top five steps for mastering time management.
Step 1: Evaluate Your Time
Do a “time audit” and log your activities in 15-minute increments for three days. You’ll see where your time is going and uncover what’s taking you away from your tasks. At the end of the three-day period, pinpoint your distractions and cut non-essential activities from your schedule.
Step 2: Create “Micro” Moments
Make time where there wasn’t any before. How? Get a good night’s sleep and wake up 15 minutes earlier. Use those extra minutes to make coffee or answer emails. review your coursework or reread an assignment.
Step 3: Make SMART Goals
Research shows that people are three times as likely to achieve SMART goals — those that are specific, measurable, attainable, realistic, and timely. Here’s how to do it yourself:
- Set specific goals with action words and details — for example: “Work out 3x a week” versus “Get in shape.”
- Measureprogress to stay on track. Ask yourself how much you’ve accomplished thus far or how many items you still have to check off your list. Figure out how you’ll know when you’ve reached your goal.
- Remember that attainable goals can still be challenging at times. Be realistic, stay focused, and make sure your goal is timely and grounded with target dates. No time frame = no sense of urgency.
Step 4: Rely on Tried-and-True Tricks
These include:
- Optimizing your work environment
- Getting rid of clutter
- Utilizing the Pomodoro Technique
- Keeping an up-to-date calendar
- Limiting procrastination (start with the easiest or hardest task, based on your level of motivation)
Step 5: Consider Your Personality Type
Work to your strengths. Use the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator or a free variation of it to learn more about your personality.
Here are a few things that everyone can benefit from, regardless of personality type:
- Active learning— close tabs on your computer, take notes while reading, etc. to avoid letting your mind wander
- Time blocks— make the most of your schedule and plan out your work accordingly
- Less procrastination— figure out what you’re struggling with, rearrange your tasks and timeline, and tackle it all with the right mindset
Most importantly, don’t forget to reward yourself when you meet your goals! There’s no one-size-fits-all approach to time management, but following these tips will set you on a path in the right direction.
Written by Ranya Barrett.
