10 Tips on Managing Your Time

Time is a precious thing. It’s not something that should be taken for granted or wasted. God has given each of us an allotted time on earth to use wisely and for His benefit.

I don’t know about you, but I want to make the most out of each moment. However, this can be a tricky subject for a lot of people. Managing your time isn’t always easy because sometimes it forces you to do something you didn’t want to do (or put aside the book you’d rather be reading).

But when you reach the end of your day and see how much you’ve accomplished, it’ll all be worth it. Because, as children of God, we are called to be wise stewards of our time. So how can we manage our time better not only as writers and creatives, but as human beings? Here’s my ten tips.

Tip #1: Learn Your Limits and How to Say No

One of the most important things you can learn about managing your time is how to say no. Let’s face it, we can’t do everything. Over committing is far too easy to do but no fun for anyone involved. If you’re finding yourself feeling overwhelmed or stressed, evaluate your commitments you’ve heaped on yourself. You might just find the source of your problem.

Tip #2: Set Allotted Time Spaces for Activities

You know those times when you sit down to write or get on Instagram and plan to only spend a few minutes at it… then suddenly a whole hour has passed. If this is a key struggle for you, tackle it head on by setting a certain timeframe for each project and only allowing yourself that much time. You might find yourself more productive by knowing you only have so much time (I find this to be the case with me, especially when it comes to writing).

Tip #3: Get Decent Sleep

You can’t plan to be productive if you stay up half the night and don’t get a proper night’s rest. Sleep is important and God given. The better sleep you get, the better prepared you’ll be for each day. You might think you can get more done by staying up late, but the opposite is actually true.

Tip #4: Make a Plan

Planning out your week and what you would like to get done is beneficial for time management. So much of our time is wasted by trying to decide what we need to do next (I’m very guilty of this…). If you had already made a game plan ahead of time then you will no longer waste that time. Cut back on wasted time and instead make each moment matter.

Tip #5: Prioritize Your Tasks

While you’re planning out your week, prioritize what needs to be done and what you’d like to get done. There are a lot of tasks we’d love to accomplish in a day but we simply can’t do them all. Maybe set three things each day that you have to do and then anything else will be bonus points, making you feel good at the same time. Decide what works best for you and go for it!

Tip #6: Create a Routine But Allow for Spontaneity

Patterns can serve you well when you’re trying to make the most of your time. If you already have a routine such as when you get up in the morning, then that can help you get more done instead of sitting for hours over a cup of coffee. However, also allow for spontaneity. A schedule should not be a hard and fast rule to go by, spontaneity can be equally productive. I mean, come on, sometimes it’s that sudden burst of motivation that can get the most done. Go with it and be productive!

Tip #7: Allow Breaks

On that note, allow yourself to take breaks. No one can go all day non-stop–not without shutting down. Breaks are just as important as being productive. Go outside, breathe fresh air, and enjoy some rest from time to time. But, keep in mind, that too many breaks can be a downfall in productivity. Maybe certain days that’s what your body needs to recuperate, but too many can ruin your motivation and creativity. Middle ground is a great place to be here.

Tip #8: Stop Procrastinating

Procrastination is an easy trap to fall into. Surely five minutes on Instagram can’t be harmful, right? Maybe not, but those five minutes easily turn into longer and, over time, it becomes a habit. The distractions are real, I get that and feel it too. So try limiting your known distractions and set yourself up for success instead of failure. Lower your chances of procrastination and stop the temptation before it becomes a habit and be a lot more productive.

Tip #9: Avoid Multitasking

You have a lot on your list and little time to do it, multitasking seems the only way out. But multitasking actually slows you down in the long run and tires you faster. It also decreases your performance levels and effects your tasks you’re working on. Multitasking is not efficient overall and not a great use of your time no matter how helpful it may seem. If you don’t believe me, consider looking it up. There’s a lot of interesting things about it on Google.

Tip #10: Jam With Music

Music is food for the soul and motivation for a weary person. For me, there’s no better way to knock out a to-do list than turning on some music and getting it done. So get some on right now and go complete your list with full confidence! Believe you can, and you will! You’ve got this, so go do it.

Your turn!

How do you manage your time? What tips do you have? Did you find any of these tips helpful?

Blessings, Allyson

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