Why self-awareness matters
When it comes to time management, many people think that there are techniques or gadgets that can help them focus better and get things done. The fact of the matter is time management has very little to do with time. It does, however, have a lot to do with self-awareness.
Know yourself
The better you know yourself, the more you can improve your performance when working to achieve your goals and tasks whether these are in the workplace or at home.
Try asking yourself the following questions which may highlight want you need to work on, or adapt which may help you work more efficiently and effectively.
Ask yourself the following questions
When are you the most/least productive?
This is a common oversight when scheduling your goals and tasks. If you schedule a task that you truly dislike during a time when you are least productive, that task will never get done.
You will be sluggish, make more mistakes and you will begin to further dislike the task. Scheduling that task when you are the most productive will help ensure you get it done quickly, with fewer mistakes.
Do you know your limits?
All of us at one time or another have over extended ourselves to get a task or project done because we want to get it over with. Putting this pressure on ourselves can make the task or project much more difficult.
The best thing to do is to stop working on a project when you still have energy and have hit your peak. Forcing yourself to get through it will slow the project down. You will associate your stress with the completion of the project and possibly never get back to finishing it.
If you stop when you are still energised, it will be much more enjoyable to come back to at a later date. You will associate that energy with the project and be motivated to finish.
What are your strengths and weaknesses?
Make a list of your strengths and weaknesses. Take all your weaknesses and start delegating as many tasks as you can that fall under this category.
It is far more efficient to pay someone else to do a task instead of continuing to put it off, and have a feeling of inadequacy because you haven’t done it. If you aren’t convinced it’s worth it, calculate your hourly rate.
What does it cost
If you work for a company, determine all your expenses. Include your salary, tax, the cost of office space you use, travel and other expenses as appropriate.
If you are self-employed, work out the annual cost of running your business. Then take a look at the number of hours you work a week. How many of these hours are actively helping you in crease the sales and profitability of your business. If much of your time is tied up with unprofitable tasks look at whether you can delegate or manage these tasks in a different way.
Do you work in a dysfunctional environment?
If you are working in an environment which is full of clutter, noise, or even dust you may not work as effectively or efficiently. Do what you can to spruce up your space.
If the clutter is overwhelming ask for help from a family member, friend or professional. And if money is preventing you from getting the things you need to invest in then remind yourself that you deserve to be happy and healthy! And actually you will be healthier, happier and wealthier if you are more productive.
Remember the first step into improving your time management is becoming aware of what you need to adapt or change.
The above article is adapted from an article written by Sara Bereik
