Mastering Time Management: A Realistic Approach

For a moment, let us simply consider time. Real, pragmatic rather than in some abstract "time is precious". No more, no less; everyone of us gets the same 24 hours in a day. The worse is still what we do with those hours. This is where things become challenging as no two persons are dealing from the same deck of cards. Different personalities, different experiences, various circumstances—a full blend. Spoilers: hence, there is no one-size-fits-all method here. But we're trying to find a way that works for you. There is that.

Finding Time for What Truly Matters

Let us now momentarily be realistic. Should your plate be overflowing—and, to be honest, most of ours are—you have two choices. One option is to do less. Second option: keep doing what you already do but quicker and smarter. Most of us, really, require a bit of both. Let's also take a minute to concentrate on the first part: doing less, even as we will be spending a lot of time in this chat discussing efficiency tips.

The Power of Saying No

You have most definitely heard the entire "just learn to say no" speech before. Sounds straightforward in principle, right? In actual use, though? Declining an offer might seem like ascending Everest. We agree as we want others to like us and that it seems like the "right" thing to do. We want to help. The truth is, though, each time you say yes to anything you are saying no to something else—usually your own time and sanity.

How then may one break out this cycle? Slowing down first helps you start. Definitely, inhale. Not say yes right away. Better still, give yourself some time. "Let me check my schedule and get back to you," say. Then really give it some thought. This is a small trick: Still, "Is this a heck yes?" you wonder. If it isn't, most likely it's a no. Ask yourself, even if it is a heck yes, "If this were happening tomorrow, would I still feel as excited about it?" Should the response be negative, then your choice is clear-cut.

Using Your Calendar as a Filter

The last check comes from your calendar. Actually, do you have place for this? If not, is it enough vital to knock anything else? Should the responses to either be no, then... you got it—it is still a no. And believe me; saying no does not make one selfish. As it happens, it's the reverse. Actually, saying no to something you may regret or find unpleasant later is best for everyone engaged. Nobody likes someone only displaying half-hearted attendance, right?

Of fact, there are few exceptions. If your supervisor assigns you a project, for example, you most likely cannot answer, "Nah, I'm good." I have nothing to say about those circumstances. I'm referring to the optional stuff—that which you definitely can say no to yet feel awful about.

Clearing Your Plate: A Practical Review

Now that we've discussed how to resist stuffing more onto your plate, let's discuss cleaning what is currently on it. The question is: right now, what are you doing that you very definitely do not want to be? Perhaps it's something you regret accepting or something that just isn't helping you anymore. Whatever it is, you should review.

This does not imply you have to ghost people or burn ties. You may outsource it totally, assign it to someone else, or gracefully back away. But you have to assess all you now have before you can do any of it. After writing everything—every promise, every obligation—ask yourself, "Is this still worth my time and energy?" Should the response is no, begin to consider how best to let it go.

Furthermore, you should not fear; we are not leaving you dangling. We will next delve into an exercise to enable you to methodically go through this procedure. To be honest, everyone needs some assistance deciding what to retain and what to toss. Watch this.

For more insights on time management, check out this Wikipedia article on time management. You might also explore Moz's time management tips or Forbes' guide to time management.