I shared on social media an article about time management tips. Time management is something virtually all of my clients have worked on. Time management - how can I do this, what is good time management, I need better time management, and on and on... I’ve taken courses, studied, and used many different time management tools over the years.
Let’s talk about time, time management, and how this impacts our lives.
Before we go too far- contemplate - What if you have just the right amount of time?
How often do you say or hear? I just don’t have time for this. I wish I could but, I’m too busy. Where did the time go? Or you say yes to something and now your schedule is overfull and you feel stressed.
I know for me, I go in cycles of good time management and then I can find myself in overwhelm with way too much on my plate and start stressing out and dropping balls.
Time - We all get the same 24 hours. So, let’s dive into how we spend our time.
Exercise: Log your time for a typical week. I hear you groaning... Yes really.
How? Get a free app or a piece of paper and record what you are doing at 15,30 or 60 min. intervals. Set a timer and do this. Do this every day for a week.
Reflect- after a week of logging reflect and review how you spend your time.
Time management the process of organizing, planning and controlling how you spend your time to effectively and productively to accomplish your goals.
There are many ways to accomplish this and tools to fit the needs of you out there no matter what type of personality or strengths you have. Some people are naturally gifted and have time management skills, others may need more support, reminders and work harder with time management.
Time Management -Teresa’s 101
Disclaimer - This is an example, not the end all to be all. There is no magic one size tool, advice, system, or planner that fits all. Find what works for you. Keep working at it, if something doesn’t work, then try another method. This is my method for planning – do what makes sense and works for you. Got a better method? Please comment and share! I'd love to learn from you.
Organize
Control
This is where time management tends to fall apart for many people. Many of us can make the most beautiful calendar with color coded tasks with deadlines and order of priority. The trick is control - tracking it and owning the control over OUR calendar and OUR time. Much easier said than done. I’m fully aware and a continued work in progress.
Magic Calendar Control Sauce: When something new comes in and is a top priority –remove something(s) lower priority. NOT an appointment with yourself - Eat lunch for example.
I’m often asked, what do you use for planning? I’ve used a zillion different methods over the years. My planning changes as my life has changed. Currently, I use my phone calendar and a paper Covey/Franklin type calendar. I had an awful technology upgrade a couple years ago and lost my entire electronic calendar. Never again. Paper is where I organize, keep my month and year plans in place. Phone is where I control it. I can’t squeeze in more on the side of the paper in on my phone calendar so it keeps my integrity with myself and margins. In the resources below, I’ve provided some links for learning more about time management, planning, etc.
So, I ask - What if you have just the right amount of time? What might that look like? How does that feel?
Here’s to you and just enough time in your life. May your time management be what you need and support you and your life.
If you or someone you know would like support and learn more about time management, please reach out and contact me. I love helping others with time management.
Much peace, love and blessings,
Teresa
Teresa Q. Bitner, M.Ed., PMP, ACC - Resiliency, Change and Loss Coach
Partnering with those who have been knocked down my life and want to build resiliency and move forward and live a bold life.
[email protected]
www.boldfulfilledlifecoach.com
Author of Soul Love: How A Dog Taught Me to Breathe Again
Let’s talk about time, time management, and how this impacts our lives.
Before we go too far- contemplate - What if you have just the right amount of time?
How often do you say or hear? I just don’t have time for this. I wish I could but, I’m too busy. Where did the time go? Or you say yes to something and now your schedule is overfull and you feel stressed.
I know for me, I go in cycles of good time management and then I can find myself in overwhelm with way too much on my plate and start stressing out and dropping balls.
Time - We all get the same 24 hours. So, let’s dive into how we spend our time.
- Do you know exactly how you spend your 24 hours?
- When was the last time you logged your day/week?
Exercise: Log your time for a typical week. I hear you groaning... Yes really.
How? Get a free app or a piece of paper and record what you are doing at 15,30 or 60 min. intervals. Set a timer and do this. Do this every day for a week.
Reflect- after a week of logging reflect and review how you spend your time.
-
Does anything stick out? Notice any trends?
- My illumination this last week was holy cow, I spend an average of 2-3 hours reading & another 1-2 hours on the internet with news and social media every night.
- Is there anything you might want to change in how you are spending your time?
- This is where you can discover you may have more time than you think. OR you may discover- wow something has to go. This is nuts. I’ve experienced both over the years.
Time management the process of organizing, planning and controlling how you spend your time to effectively and productively to accomplish your goals.
There are many ways to accomplish this and tools to fit the needs of you out there no matter what type of personality or strengths you have. Some people are naturally gifted and have time management skills, others may need more support, reminders and work harder with time management.
Time Management -Teresa’s 101
Disclaimer - This is an example, not the end all to be all. There is no magic one size tool, advice, system, or planner that fits all. Find what works for you. Keep working at it, if something doesn’t work, then try another method. This is my method for planning – do what makes sense and works for you. Got a better method? Please comment and share! I'd love to learn from you.
Organize
-
How do you organize your time? By hour, day, week, month?
- I’m a by day in chunks of work tasks kind of gal.
- I’m a by day in chunks of work tasks kind of gal.
-
How do you keep track of your day? Calendar/phone/to-do list?
- Pick one and use it for a while. Test it out.
- Pick one and use it for a while. Test it out.
-
What deadlines and tasks do you need to complete in your given time chunk?
- I have a daily task list by day that has to happen. I tackle them 1st
- I have a daily task list by day that has to happen. I tackle them 1st
-
Now put them in your calendaring system.
- I do mean put everything from the time you wake until bedtime. Schedule your time for yourself, others, play, family, and work.
Control
This is where time management tends to fall apart for many people. Many of us can make the most beautiful calendar with color coded tasks with deadlines and order of priority. The trick is control - tracking it and owning the control over OUR calendar and OUR time. Much easier said than done. I’m fully aware and a continued work in progress.
-
What control do you have over your time? Which hours of the day?
- From the time logging exercise above – review what hours you have control over – this is maybe mornings and evenings. Which hours are most in your control?
- From the time logging exercise above – review what hours you have control over – this is maybe mornings and evenings. Which hours are most in your control?
-
Keep your appointments with yourself! Don’t blow yourself off.
- How often do you schedule something for you (working out, self-care, doctor appointment, dentist, etc.) and then blow it off? This is the start of losing control over your schedule and stress can start to creep in
- I put this first because you have to take care of you first to take care of anything or anyone else.
-
Keeping your schedule with others. Don’t blow off others.
- Reschedule vs. cancel – it was important - right?
Magic Calendar Control Sauce: When something new comes in and is a top priority –remove something(s) lower priority. NOT an appointment with yourself - Eat lunch for example.
- Review your schedule and determine how to get the top priority done and remove something lesser. Maybe two lesser things.
- Where can you juggle, negotiate, flex the time and tasks?
- This can reduce stress vs. add more
- It does take practice, I’m still working on this.
I’m often asked, what do you use for planning? I’ve used a zillion different methods over the years. My planning changes as my life has changed. Currently, I use my phone calendar and a paper Covey/Franklin type calendar. I had an awful technology upgrade a couple years ago and lost my entire electronic calendar. Never again. Paper is where I organize, keep my month and year plans in place. Phone is where I control it. I can’t squeeze in more on the side of the paper in on my phone calendar so it keeps my integrity with myself and margins. In the resources below, I’ve provided some links for learning more about time management, planning, etc.
So, I ask - What if you have just the right amount of time? What might that look like? How does that feel?
Here’s to you and just enough time in your life. May your time management be what you need and support you and your life.
If you or someone you know would like support and learn more about time management, please reach out and contact me. I love helping others with time management.
Much peace, love and blessings,
Teresa
Teresa Q. Bitner, M.Ed., PMP, ACC - Resiliency, Change and Loss Coach
Partnering with those who have been knocked down my life and want to build resiliency and move forward and live a bold life.
[email protected]
www.boldfulfilledlifecoach.com
Author of Soul Love: How A Dog Taught Me to Breathe Again
PS. You and yours are invited to Soul Love Book Signing 8/31 7pm @ Book People .
31 more days of Summer Discounts on Coaching Click here to learn more.
Resources - Time Management
31 more days of Summer Discounts on Coaching Click here to learn more.
Resources - Time Management
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