time management tips for greater productivity

Time management is essential for productivity, success, and maintaining a healthy-work life balance. However, with distractions at every turn, staying on top of things can be challenging. Learning to manage your time effectively can only change your life for the better. 

Here are some tips that our team have put together to help you maximize your time and boost your productivity:

set clear priorities

The most important step of using your time wisely is knowing which tasks need to be prioritized most. A helpful way to organize your goals is by following the SMART method: Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-Bound. 

Prioritize tasks based on their importance and urgency. If and when possible, delegate tasks that don’t pertain to you as much.

block out your time

Keep yourself focused by breaking down your day into blocks. Time blocks are a highly effective way to identify unrealistic deadlines, balance your time, and reduce procrastination. 

For example, work in 25-minute blocks with a 5-minute break. After a few rounds, give yourself a 15-30 minute break. This will help you to keep your mind fresh and prevent yourself from becoming burnt out.

make a to-do list

This tip is our favorite one!

Creating a to-do list before you go to bed helps you plan out your tasks and set strong goals. Some people prefer to make their list the night before as it prevents them from procrastinating in the morning. However, make sure your list is organized by priority. Writing your list in advance allows you to write SMART goals that you can group into time blocks for a productive, fluid workday. This plan will keep you accountable and motivated. See how these steps all tie into one another? 😉

avoid multitasking/distractions

It’s easy to believe that multitasking allows you to work faster, but it actually slows you down and allows for more mistakes. Focusing on one task at a time ensures that you produce better work and decreases stress. You can’t really scroll on social media while writing a blog… even though you may think you can.

Distractions are the biggest problem when it comes to being productive. This can be anything from social media and phone notifications, to music or others talking. These interruptions can quickly cause your work to take hours longer than it’s supposed to. Minimize these distractions by shutting your phone off, shutting your office door, or setting your social media to do-not-disturb. Taking control of your environment allows you to make the most of your work time.