Do you use your time wisely and effectively?
How do you determine what gets done each day? Are you a planner?
I find that if things aren’t on my calendar, they don’t get done. It’s that simple, for me.
It’s all about the planner…
I use my phone calendar to keep track overall of appointments, activities, and responsibilities for my family, work, and school. I actually use a paper planner to really manage my time. I write in all the things I need to do each day and assign them a time. I tend to work in blocks of time, but even within blocks, I’ll often write out specific tasks which need to be done.
Time blocks
I like working in blocks of 25 or 40 minutes. Typically, I use 40-minute increments. I set the timer on my phone or use a visual timer. Something about setting that timer tells me to focus and makes all the difference.
One task at a time
One of best takeaways from the dissertation research course I just took was to NOT switch tasks in a single block of time. Don’t try to do several things in one sitting. For example, if I’m finding research articles, I only find the articles and save them. I typically print them also, but that’s fairly easy while I looking for the next one. I don’t skim, read, or highlight them at that time. I save that for another block of time and do several at once. I’m faster, more effective, and more efficient when I do so.
I’ve taken that principle and have applied it to all areas of life and blocks of time across my day. I find that I accomplish much more and it makes the work easier when I do so.
When I don’t…..well, that’s another story.
When we stay with one task, our brain works much more efficiently. It slows us down to switch back and forth between tasks.
“The Zone”
So, for me, I find that blocking out my time, assigning a specific task to each block of time, and then setting a timer puts me in “the zone” to work. It helps me stay focused on what it most important. (It’s all about saying Yes! to what matters most, right?)
I only work until the timer goes off, not until the task is finished. If I need more time to finish, I schedule another block of time later.
We’re all created differently and have our own style. What works for one won’t necessarily work for the next. Some would go crazy with my method; others would love it. 😊
I really want to make the best use of my time.
There are a lot of things I could spend (or waste) my time on each day. I want to be intentional and use it well. I’m like anyone else — some days I’m a “work in progress”; other days I spend my time well. Scripture tells us to make the best use of our time: “Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, making the best use of the time, because the days are evil.” (Ephesians 5:15-16, ESV)
I love hearing how others manage their time or tasks.
What works for you?
How do you mange all that God has called you to do each day?
