Become the Master of Your Time

I understand the struggles that come with managing your time efficiently and achieving your productivity goals. It is a constant battle, and sometimes it feels like there are not enough hours in a day to get everything done. There are tons of ways to optimize your time and improve your productivity… so much so, it can get overwhelming… but have no fear, we are here to help. I’m going to share with you some of the most effective time management and productivity tips I’ve learned to help you achieve more of what matters in less time.

Prioritize Your Tasks

The most important thing you can do to manage your time effectively is to prioritize your tasks. This means making a to-do list and identifying the most important tasks that need to be done first. By focusing on the most important tasks first, you can ensure that you are using your time effectively and getting the most important things done. I find that breaking these lists up into categories helps me clarify and schedule my day. For example:

1. God – Schedule my morning Bible and prayer time along with any prep I may need for it (i.e. coffee)
2. Family – What am I doing to show my woman I love her? What about my kids?
3. Health – What good am I if my body is broken?
4. Money – What activities bring in the finances that allow me to provide for the people I care about?
5. Literally everything else.

Set Goals

Setting goals is another important aspect of time management and productivity. By setting specific, measurable, and achievable goals, you can stay focused and motivated, and work towards achieving your objectives. When setting your goals, be sure to break them down into smaller, more manageable tasks, and create a timeline for completing each task.

Finally, take it one step further and make a list of daily habits you have to accomplish. (This is where the rubber meets the road.)

Eliminate Distractions

Did you know it takes 20 minutes to get back on track every time you are distracted? Every “ping” “buzz” and “chirp” is 20 minutes of your life down the toilet. Turn that garbage off!

Turn off your phone and email notifications, close your social media tabs, and find a quiet space where you can work without interruption. If you work in a noisy environment, get some noise-canceling headphones to block out distractions.

Use Time-Blocking

Time-blocking is a time management technique that involves scheduling specific blocks of time for specific tasks. By assigning time slots for different activities, you can stay focused and avoid multitasking, which always leads to decreased productivity (see “Eliminate Distractions” above). To use this technique effectively, create a schedule that includes all your tasks for the day and allocate specific time slots for each task. I find 90 minutes is the sweet spot for my time blocks.

Take Breaks

Taking breaks is an essential part of time management and productivity. Regular breaks help you stay focused, avoid burnout, and improve your overall productivity. When you take a break, take an actual break: get up from your desk, stretch, and move around.

Let your mind wander.

keeping your mind stuck on work will defeat the whole purpose of the break.

Drop & Delegate Tasks

Don’t be scared to drop tasks that are nothing more than time sinks. (Do you really need to get to inbox zero?)

Drop it and forget about it or give it to your assistant… let them waste their time on your email while you do something of value. If you’re like me and don’t have an assistant, then just use “select all” + delete.

Use Productivity Tools

There are too many productivity tools available today. Pick one and stick with it. My favorite right now is notion.so

Take Care of Yourself

Finally, take care of yourself. Get enough sleep, eat a healthy diet, exercise regularly, and take time to relax and recharge. Take care of yourself so you can improve your overall well-being and increase your productivity in the long run.

What does it matter how much money you make if your body is broken and you hate life every time you get out of bed?

It’s important to remember that improving your time management skills and boosting your productivity takes time and effort. Start by trying out one or two of these tips, and gradually add more as you become more comfortable. With practice, you’ll be able to manage your time like a pro and dominate life.

Godspeed!