When looking at time, there are 60 seconds in a minute, 60 minutes in an hour, 24 hours in a day and 365 days in a year, with each second passing equally. In reality, some days go by in the blink of an eye, and others tend to drag. Sure at this time of year, with your basketball madness events coming to a close and your winter sports about to begin, your days seem to fly by with little time to sit back and breathe.
In this fast paced world and with all of the gadgets we have, why do we still feel like we cannot get everything done we need to? The good news is that you create and manage your time how you want and this time of year us as marketers feel like we are getting pulled in so many different directions. It is extremely hard to eliminate interruptions, especially when your boss needs something right then and there. However, finding ways to manage your time could assist in limiting full blown panic attacks.
Here are a few tips that could help when you are unable to slow time down and interruptions are lining up at the door to greet you.
- Take the first 30 minutes of each day to plan out your day ahead and do not start your day without your plan complete.
- Carry a schedule, recording all of your thoughts, conversations and athletic events for the week.
- Any item that is important, assign yourself time to get it done.
- Schedule time for interruptions and moments that you will get pulled away.
- Take a few moments before each task or call to decide what results you are looking for.
- Place a sign on your door or desk when you absolutely have to get work done.
- Practice not answering the phone just because it’s ringing or an email right when it shows up. Do not feel you need to always give people instant responses.
- Block out distractions best you can.
- Remember that it’s IMPOSSIBLE to get everything done in one day.
Give yourself some grace, no matter how great your time management skills are, you will have good days and bad. You are only human!