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In this article the writer shares her experience on the mistakes she made on managing her time, and what she has done to manage it more effectively. Manage your time effectively by avoiding the mistakes she made - Each advice is summarized in the yellow boxes below. By Susan L. I over-schedule, say yes to too many things, bid on more work than I can comfortably handle, and let an assortment of family members and animals run my life. I think it’s time to retire. In spite of my bad habits, I am always working to create some new ones. Hopefully, I can replace the old me with a new, better organized me. Quit laughing. Yeah, we’ve all been there. But I’ve learned some things over the years. MultitaskingI used to believe that multitasking was the only way to get it all done. In my newspaper days, I’d be interviewing for one article and trying to write another one at the same time. Literally.So, how many times do you think I got the names mixed up? Don’t ask. I did the same thing at home. I’d be writing and trying to listen to my kids tell me about their days. Later, I’d get a constant chorus of “I told you already” and “You said it was okay yesterday.” I drew the line at putting makeup on in the car but only because I don’t wear makeup. I still multitask at times. You really can run a load of wash and write an article at the same time. You can also have meaningful discussions while driving. But I’ve learned that my best work is done if I focus exclusively on the task at hand. I no longer do my work all over the house. I have an office. When I really need focus, I close the door. Even in the car, I often turn off the radio so I can think about upcoming projects and get a head start on them.
OverbookingI like to work. I like the money. I like the creative act of writing. But sometimes I like it too much. I see a job that sounds like fun and I grab it.Who cares if I have two books to index, ten articles to write, four blog posts that need to go up, and a computer that is refusing to print. Then one little thing goes wrong. My daughter announces that she’s in a parade out of town. Tomorrow. Suddenly I’m in trouble. I’ve learned to carefully schedule each project, allowing the time I think it will take plus a few hours of “slush” time in case something happens. This goes on the calendar I keep on my computer. If I’m already booked full for the next few weeks, I don’t even look at other possible jobs until I see the end of the tunnel. I’m not doing anybody any favors if I’m working 14-hour days to get it all done. I also put time for family and myself on the calendar, too. I don’t want to let my most important relationships get lost on my desk.
Saying Yes When I Should Say NoI did it just this morning. Nobody can lead worship on July 5th and I heard myself say I’d do it. Leading worship is something I do fairly often in my Unitarian Universalist congregation, but I’m preaching the Sunday before, and I don’t need to do all that prep two weeks running.The physical act of saying no is easy. The psychological part isn’t. I like getting things done, I enjoy being the center of attention, and I hate to let people down. But the world will not end if I don’t do everything. I’m probably saying yes because other people said no first. Why can’t I be just as protective of my time and energy as they are? Breaking old habits is hard, especially when it means giving up things I like to do. But managing my time makes for a less stressful and more productive life in the long run.
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