Are you often stressed by too much work or too many responsibilities? Do you feel you have more work to do than to do over time?

The trick is to organize your to-dos and use your time efficiently to get more done each day. This can help lower stress levels and increase productivity at work and at home. Time management skills take time to develop and will look different to each person. Finding the one that works best for you and your busy schedule is important here. To get started, here are 10 ways to improve your time management skills and increase your productivity.

1. Delegation Of Duties

It is common for all of us to do more work than we can complete. This can often result in stress and burnout. Delegation does not mean that you are running away from your responsibilities, but instead learning proper management of your work. Learn the art of delegating tasks to subordinates based on their skills and abilities and get more done. Not only does this free up time, but it also makes team members feel like essential pieces of the work puzzle.

2. Prioritize Tasks

Before you start your day, make a list of tasks that need immediate attention. Non-critical tasks can consume a lot of precious time, and we tend to give too much energy to these tasks because they are easier or less stressful. However, identifying urgent tasks that need to be completed that day is critical to productivity. Once you know where to invest your energy, you will begin to get things done in an order that works for you and your schedule. In short, prioritize important tasks to keep you focused.

3. Create A Schedule

Carry a planner or notebook with you and list every task that comes to mind. Being able to see items as they complete creates a sense of accomplishment and keeps you motivated.

Simply ‘to-do list‘ Prioritize your tasks and focus on the essentials before you start your day. See if these can also be achieved. If you have a large task that needs to be completed, make it the only task on the list. You can postpone others until the next day.

To better manage your time management skills, you might think of making three lists: work, home, and personal.

4. Set A Due Date

When things come up, set realistic deadlines and stick to them. When you set a deadline, it can be helpful to write it down on sticky notes and keep it near your workspace. This gives you a visual cue to continue working.

Set a deadline a few days before the deadline to complete any work that might get in the way. Challenge yourself and meet deadlines. Reward yourself for a difficult challenge.

5. Overcome Procrastination

Procrastination is one of the negative impacts of productivity. It can waste essential time and energy. It can be a big deal in both your career and personal life .

Avoiding procrastination can be difficult for many people. We tend to procrastinate when we are bored or overwhelmed. Plan smaller, more fun activities throughout the day to share more difficult tasks. This can help you stay on schedule.

6. Manage Stress Wisely

Stress often arises when we accept more work than we can achieve. As a result, our bodies begin to feel tired, which can affect our productivity.

Stress comes in many different forms for different people, but productive ways to deal with stress may include:

get out
Exercise
meditation practice
call a friend
Engage in your favorite hobbies
Listen to music or podcasts

The key is to find out what works for lowering your stress response. If you don’t have other time, try a few. breathing technique . It can be done in minutes and has been proven to lower stress-causing hormones.

7. Avoid Multitasking

Most of us think that multitasking is an efficient way to get things done, but the truth is that we can do better when we focus and focus on one thing. Multitasking hampers productivity. Should be avoided to improve time management skills.

Use to-do lists and deadlines to keep you focused! This will allow you to do better at what you are doing. Wait until you finish one before starting the other. You’ll be amazed at how much more you can do.

8. Start Early

Most successful people have one thing in common. They start the day early because it gives them time to sit down and think and plan the day.

Waking up early makes you more calm, creative, and clearer. As the day progresses, your energy levels begin to drop, affecting your productivity, motivation, and focus.

If you are not a morning person, you can get up 30 minutes earlier than usual. You will be amazed at how much work you can do in that short amount of time. If you don’t want to use it for work, use it for a little exercise or a healthy breakfast. This kind of routine also contributes to productivity during the day. Goal setting can save you time thinking about where you are going.

9. Take Regular Breaks

Whenever you feel tired and stressed, take a 10 to 15 minute break. Too much stress can strain your body and affect your productivity.

And even better, schedule a break. It helps you relax and get back to work with energy later. Knowing that the break is approaching will help you overcome boredom or lack of motivation to complete the task at hand.

Go for a walk, listen to music, or do a quick stretch. The best idea is to completely relax from work and spend time with friends and family.

10. Learn To Say No

Respectfully refuse to accept further work if you think you are already overloaded with work. Go through the to-do list before agreeing to further action.

Many people worry that rejection will seem selfish, but in fact, rejection is one of the best ways to take care of yourself and your time. When you take care of this, you will find that you can devote more of your energy to the important things that those around you will ultimately appreciate.

Last Thoughts

Being clear on what’s on your plate allows you to focus more and do more in less time.

Managing your time well requires the daily practice of prioritizing your tasks and organizing them in a way that helps you achieve more while saving time. Try the above strategy for a few weeks and see if it helps. You will be surprised how much more time you have.