Do you want to be more organised and more productive? Do you often wonder why you are never able to complete tasks on time? Fear not! We have put together a list of useful tips for you to strategically manage your time and ensure success when it comes to managing your busy schedule.

1. Time is of the essence

First things first – no matter how organised you may be, it’s time to realise that there are only 24 hours in a day. Time stands still for no one and all we can really do is manage ourselves to the best of our ability with the time that we have.

2. Eliminate distractions

Are you constantly finding yourself scrolling through social media or binge watching your favourite television series when you have numerous tasks to complete? Take a few moments to note down a list of things that distract you from being productive and try to eliminate them from your working environment. An additional step would be to turn your phone off for a few hours.

3. Turn off social media alerts

Constant pings, beeps and rings can be a nightmare when you’re trying to stay focussed. Turning off your social media alerts can be helpful for a more peaceful and productive vibe when completing tasks at hand.

4. Track your time

Tracking your time could be beneficial to figuring out what you do with your time and which tasks are taking up most of your time. There are various apps you can download or use online which you can use to track your time for the day.

5. Prioritise your schedule

Consider starting your day by prioritising various tasks from most important to least important, as well as setting up a performance benchmark. Try making to-do lists either the night before or first thing in the morning and tick off completed tasks – and trust me, there’s nothing better than a ticking a task off your list.

6. Establish a routine

Routines can fall short with unexpected bumps in the road, but if you start sticking to a strict routine, you will be able to manage your time wisely and overcome those spontaneous hiccups. For most people, following a routine is therapeutic and keeps you on track.

7. Take care of your health

Your mind and body need to rest. Make sure a good night’s rest is a part of your routine in order to be well-rested for the next day. If you intend on pulling an all-nighter, expect a very low productivity rate the next day. Manage your time so vital elements like sleep and good nutrition are never compromised.

8. Reward yourself

Once you have completed some, or maybe all of your tasks, it’s important to reward yourself. This can be done by taking some time away from your busy schedule or allocating one hour of screen time. By taking reasonable breaks in between your schedule, you will allow your mind and body to be more productive in the long run, but make sure you aren’t indulging in too much downtime if all tasks are not completed.

And remember, it’s not about how much time you have, it’s about how effectively you manage your time.