How I keep up with everything and why you will also start to keep up
Do you want to do something in a day that you didn’t do in three before? If so, here are the six main and straightforward rules to follow:
- Plan it and write it down. This is unexpected, isn’t it? Planning truly is an essential part of time management. Without understanding what you need to do, you will never do anything. Avoid using hundreds of stickers and notes; you will never find all of them to put together the big picture. Thanks to the digital revolution, you now have access to dozens of convenient planning tools.
- Keep track of time. At least at the beginning, you have to monitor how you are spending your time. Write down how much time you spend browsing Instagram or watching funny videos on YouTube. Once you do that, imagine how you could have spent those hours more productively.
- Divide. Did your mother tell you to share when you were younger? Well, she was right. It’s always a good idea to divide things, and in our case, it’s all about dividing large tasks into smaller ones. First of all, you will get a better picture of the remaining tasks. Secondly, you will never feel like you’re working hard without getting closer to your goal because you will permanently mark smaller goals as ‘completed,’ and that is undoubtedly a nice bonus.
- Set goals. I’m saying here that you should always focus on your goals as if you’ve already set them. If yes, great. If not, determine what are you even going for? Remember, it can be challenging, but you don’t have to think about your lifelong goal immediately. Start with something closer. Plan for change for a year, a month, and think about what you need to do to make it a reality.
- Draw conclusions. Every day, before going to bed. Analyse what you did today, how effective it was, and what could be improved. You can even write it down – Lev Tolstoy had a comprehensive journal, and so did Nicholas II – you’re no worse than them!
- Don’t waste your time on pointless activities. Everything should help you work towards your goals. Relaxing while reading a helpful book is good for your mind, body and soul. Wasting three hours playing “Noughts and Crosses?” Well, you know what I mean.
And one more tiny detail: and nodding your head isn’t enough because it doesn’t work. Start applying them, and right now, not tomorrow.
Just do it!