American Filmmaker, Stephen Spielberg was once quoted as saying, “Technology can be our best friend, and technology can also be the biggest party pooper of our lives. It interrupts our own story, interrupts our ability to have a thought or a daydream, to imagine something wonderful, because we’re too busy bridging the walk from the cafeteria back to the office on the cell phone.”
We all know that time is precious, especially in the business world. As soon as the red light on our electronic device shows that we have an email, we are grabbing for our electronics to read and respond to it. Text messages have taken the place of conversations and video calls have become a substitution for a visit or in person meeting.
Here are a few tips on how to successfully manage your time:
- Set goals – Be sure to participate in activities that support your long and short term goals
- Prioritize – Set your “to-do” list in order of importance, such as important and pressing, important, but not pressing, not pressing and not important. Try to complete each task and check it off your list in order of importance.
- It’s okay to say no – If you have to decline an invitation because of a conflict, do so. If your goal is to be everything to everyone, your goal is unrealistic.
- Try to plan ahead – Take the time to plan your workday and social activities. Take a few minutes at night or early in the morning to map out your personal course for the day. When you have a clear vision for the day’s events, even if you are thrown a curveball, it will be easy to reroute your mind to include any additional responsibility.
- Make time for yourself – Start with just five minutes a day. Turn off the cell phone, notify your colleagues or family members that you will be inaccessible for the set time and do something for yourself. Listen to your favorite song, take a short walk, step away from your desk, or relax with your eyes closed.
- You don’t have to do it all – Do your best to ask others for help. At work, there are competent employees that you can share your tasks with and at home, involve your family members in taking care of some of the responsibilities.
- Track your time – Try to give each task or project the time it needs without giving it too much of your time. Compartmentalize which tasks and/or responsibilities need the most attention. By doing this, you will not be wasting time.
Our lives are going at a rapid pace and there is little or no down time for us to reboot our own physical computer, our brain. So be sure to get the necessary amount of sleep, eat healthy and exercise regularly.
All content of this newsletter is intended for general information purposes only and is not intended or implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Please consult a medical professional before adopting any of the suggestions on this page. You must never disregard professional medical advice or delay seeking medical treatment based upon any content of this newsletter. PROMPTLY CONSULT YOUR PHYSICIAN OR CALL 911 IF YOU BELIEVE YOU HAVE A MEDICAL EMERGENCY.