Top Ten Tips for Time Management

Previously, I wrote about how to use time effectively while teaching a lesson in Self-Help Pedagogy: Part 2. In this month’s blog, I will address the topic of how to make the best use of our most precious commodity as studio business owners – Time. Time is very valuable; once it is used, it is gone forever. We can’t ever get it back. In today’s world, time moves very fast. As one student parent said upon returning after summer break, “I blinked and summer was over.”

Therefore, it is in our best interests to use time wisely. I must admit as I sit here writing at the last minute that I am no expert on time management! However, after doing some research, I have come up with my top ten list of the best tips on time management.

10. Stay healthy. Take care of yourself – exercise, eat healthy and often to stave off hunger and keep blood sugar levels stable. Stay hydrated and get 6 – 8 hours of sleep every night. Remember to breathe, slow down, and take breaks.

9. Learn to say No. Consider every opportunity or task presented to you and how much time it will take. If it doesn’t fit into your goals and objectives, it may not be worthwhile and instead become a time waster. Saying No at the outset is easier than backing out after saying Yes.

8. Use a timer. First, for dreaded tasks, use the 10-minute rule: set a timer for 10 minutes and work on a dreaded task 10 minutes each day. You may even find that you want to work on it more once you have started! Secondly, set a timer for a specific amount of time for a given task to insure that you don’t end up spending too much time on it and getting sidetracked.

7. Delegate. Ask for help! Recently, I hired a housecleaning service because I simply do not have time to run my business and keep up on housecleaning. It has made life much better!

6. Do the most important thing first. Most people find that morning hours are more productive – spend one hour in the morning on the most important tasks of the day. Even if you only get started on a few things, it may be easier to finish later. Also, consider organizing tasks the night before so you can get a good start in the morning.

5. Schedule Your Time. Spend 15 minutes each day organizing your calendar and making a plan to accomplish tasks.

4. Avoid multitasking. Recent research has shown that multitasking is not productive. Rather, staying focused on one task at a time and finding a state of Flow is the way to get things done.

3. Make lists. I love making lists but this sometimes backfires on me when my list gets too long and unorganized. Use the 3 lists of 3 idea which is to make three lists of three things: three jobs that will get done, three if there is time, and three that will eventually get done.

2. Monitor your time. Keep a diary of everything you do in a three or five-day period. Evaluate how you used your time and make note of when you were most productive. Use this as a planning tool for the future.

1. Develop goals and objectives. In order to use time wisely, one must first have a map from which to work. Without goals and objectives, time can be misused and wasted. Knowing what is important allows us to prioritize to-do lists.

Do you have any tips or suggestions that have worked in organizing your time? How do you get things done?