Being in a hurry has become a constant in our daily lives, almost as routine as sleeping, eating, or brushing our teeth. I can’t help but wonder: have we developed a habit of over-committing out of fear of saying “no,” or do we simply struggle to manage our time effectively? The good news is that preparing in advance for your day, week, or month isn’t as hard as it seems. It’s really a matter of self-discipline and once you experience how much more you can accomplish, you’ll see it’s worth the effort.
Failing to prioritize tasks can drain a tremendous amount of time from your day. When you create a plan, you know exactly where to go, what to do, and who to meet. Organizing your schedule can be as simple as keeping a planner or travel journal on your smartphone. Think of it as becoming your own personal secretary!
Keeping a small pocket planner, paper or electronic, to record appointments, errands, and activities can help you avoid over-committing, running late, or missing important events. It also makes it easier to prioritize and shift tasks around when time gets tight.
Visualizing everything you need to accomplish during the day gives you greater control over how you divide your time. And crossing items off your list as you go provides a satisfying sense of accomplishment.
So go ahead, write things down. You’ll be amazed at how much more you get done, and best of all, you’ll finally have the time to relax!
