Looking for how to have a healthy balanced lifestyle, check these top ten time management hacks.In today’s world when life is running too fast and every small task has turned into a competition where all are performing like players, trying to give their best it becomes more important to have a perfect balance of time.In today’s world when life is running too fast and every small task has turned into a competition where all are performing like players, trying to give their best it becomes more important to have a perfect balance of time. It doesn’t matter if you are a school-going person or someone who works in an office from 10 to 6. The skill to keep pace with time is most important especially if you have to achieve some higher goals. Let’s check out the 10 best hacks that can help you not just manage your work life but also find a few moments for your personal life without any regrets.
HACK No 1 – Prioritize Your Task
Have you ever heard of ‘Eisenhower Matrix’, if not then learn it now.
‘Eisenhower Matrix’ or you can say ‘Urgent- Important Matrix is a type of tool that helps a person divide their task into four quadrants based on their urgency and importance.
The Matrix categorizes tasks into four quadrants:
1. Urgent and Important: Tasks that are time-sensitive and crucial will be included in this category. The one that requires immediate attention for example any project, or any commitment that has near fixed date for its completion should be prioritized.
2. Important but not Urgent: Tasks that need to be done but don’t have a near commitment can be followed by this category. Such should be planned for and scheduled in a way to prevent them from becoming urgent later.
3. Urgent but not Important: Tasks here are time-sensitive but don’t contribute significantly to your goals. For example day out with friends or visiting someone or an important program to watch. Such tasks are often considered distractions or interruptions which if can’t be eliminated then must be delegated or minimized.
4. Neither Urgent nor Important: Tasks that are neither time-sensitive nor impactful. Such can be mostly trivial or time-wasting activities that should be eliminated or reduced at least.
By using the Eisenhower Matrix, one can make informed decisions about what and when to do. It not only helps a person to manage their time but also helps to focus on tasks that align with the main goals and contribute to overall success.
HACK No 2: Implement The Pomodoro Technique
When we work on something whether it is studies or any office project one problem that everyone faces is boredom. Working continuously for longer hours on similar tasks makes it lack of interest and also sometimes leads one to give up on it. To not face such a situation again and again a person can apply the ‘Pomodoro technique’ while working, according to which the tasks are divided into small sessions followed by quick intervals in between.
Here’s how it works:
1. Choose a Task: Select a task you want to work on.
2. Set a Timer: Set a timer for a fixed interval, usually 25 minutes (referred to as a “Pomodoro”)
3. Work Intensely: Keep your complete focus on the task that you have chosen during that 25-minute session while avoiding any distractions or interruptions.
4. Take a short Break: Once those 25 minutes are completed, take a short break of around 5 minutes to recharge yourself. In this time you can stretch, grab a drink, or just relax by closing your eyes.
5. Repeat: After completing this 30-minute cycle (25 minutes of focused work followed by a 5-minute break), repeat the process.
6. Long Break: After completing four cycles, take a longer break of around 15-30 minutes. This extended break helps prevent burnout. Take a walk, talk to your family, or just grab a healthy snack to regain your energy.
This technique has been considered one of the most popular and widely used methods for enhancing productivity, managing time, and maintaining a healthy work rhythm.
HACK No 3- Use The Two Minute Rule
While working on one big task one usually ignores other tasks that can be easily done just by spending a few minutes. For example, while getting ready for work usually we just grab everything as quickly as possible forgetting about others that got messed up because of our hurried actions like leaving the iron on the table after use, putting used dishes in the sink, leaving the bed as it is, etc. and once we return home, those small works pile up together making it a time-consuming process.
Try to adopt the two-minute rule in life. If a task can be completed in two minutes or less, do it immediately instead of leaving it for later. This will not just prevent small tasks from piling up but will also give you a feeling of relief after fighting for the whole day.
HACK No 4- Setting Up Smart Goals
Everyone dreams of being successful in one night which remains a dream forever because there is no shortcut to success. To achieve that one big goal one should set some Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-Bound small goals that can provide with clarity and directions, making all more manageable. Concentrate on your strengths and weaknesses, find out what works best for you and set your goals accordingly. It will make your success journey more achievable and motivating.
HACK No 5 – Utilize Digital Tools
Though the amount of work and societal pressure is immeasurable nowadays fortunately thanks to our new modern technology that has worked as a wonder to support us in many fields making our life easier to some extent. Just like today’s mantra is not to work harder but smarter, make sure to utilize the technology power to manage your goals more productively. Using various tools that are available with just one click for example Calendar applications, to-do-list applications, and task managers can assist well in keeping track of your assignments, deadlines, and other activities. This will be a very effective way to keep your mind relaxed while still managing multiple things without any mistakes.
HACK No 6 – Minimize Doing Multitasking
Everyone is born with a different capacity to handle any work. There can be someone who can handle two or more work very efficiently while the other can’t even concentrate on one at a time. This is not a drawback but a quality that differs from person to person. One should always choose the method that works best for himself despite following others’ actions. Simply saying, contrary to popular belief, multitasking can hinder productivity, focusing on one task at a time can help in completing it efficiently and with better quality. This approach also helps in reducing unwanted stress and mental fatigue. Remember, it’s better to work slowly and steadily than just getting tangled into many without completing even one on time.
HACK No 7- Learn To Say No
While it’s important to be consistent and keep up with society, over-committing may lead to time constraints and even a reason for tension. It’s always better to understand your work limits while calculating every aspect. Being promising for something that can make you feel stressed is neither good for your mental peace nor your career goals, so learn to prioritize your commitments that are crucial for your goals and say no to others when necessary to maintain a healthy balance.
HACK No 8- Reflect And Adjust
Always keep a check on your time management strategies. Identify what’s working for you and what’s not, and make adjustments accordingly. Every particular task has its requirements sticking to just one method may not work always, it is better to modify your plans with the changing task and time, create new strategies, and act accordingly. Don’t forget Flexibility and Adaptability are key to staying consistent.
HACK No 9- Maintain Self Care
A healthy mind lives in a healthy body. After running all the way to reach that one goal it’s very important to keep yourself healthy and fit. Take a couple of minutes to clear your mind, practice deep breathing, and refocus your energy. Work is important but so as you too, just don’t let yourself be compressed under pressure and take some moments for self-care by doing something for yourself the way you like. Taking necessary breaks and caring for self physical and mental health contributes to mental clarity and productivity.
HACK No 10- Just Be Yourself
Whether you want it or not in some way or another you will be compared with others. Sometimes this comparison is done by other people like family, friends, and society and sometimes it’s us who compare ourselves with others due to our insecurities. It is the biggest mistake that acts as a distraction in the journey of success which needs to be avoided at any cost. No one is born the same, everyone has their qualities and their journey of life. One should always look to others for motivation from their achievements or to learn from their failures and apply that as a lesson in improving own personality. So stop wasting your time comparing yourself with others, just be you and become someone who turns into an example for others and is proud of your own.
Remember, the journey to success is a very tough and long process, and effective time management is a skill that requires consistent practice and self-awareness. By incorporating these few time management hacks into daily routines, one can easily navigate their learning journey with confidence, achieve better goals, and cultivate valuable skills that can be helpful throughout one’s life.
If you have any questions or queries or want to share your views, just leave a comment below. I will be happy to help in any way possible🦋