How to Manage Your Time Effectively

Being a work at home mom it can be very tricky trying to figure out how to manage your time. Most days I say I wish there were 4 of me to get everything I want to get accomplished done. Then I remember this quote by H. Jackson, ”Don’t say you don’t have enough time. You have exactly the same number of hours per day that were given to Helen Keller, Pasteur, Michelangelo, Mother Teresa, Leonardo da Vinci, Thomas Jefferson, and Albert Einstein.” I have lots to accomplish not only in my business, but making time for my son and taking care of household chores. None of that will stop me from giving 110% to everything I do and making things happen so I pull out my “can do” attitude and put the time management tools I have learned to work. These are the things I have found have really helped me manage my time effectively.

Have a to do list written out- I used to think that I could keep track of all the things I needed to accomplish in my head. I quickly realized that I was not getting much done that way. I would kind of lose sight of my goals or what need to be done. Having things written down keeps me in check and helps me prioritize. If something does not get done I can move it on to the list for the next day. I also really like having a list because sometimes it can seem like I have been spinning my wheels and not getting much done. I can then look at my list and know that I really did accomplish a lot more than I thought.

Avoid time Wasters- Avoid watching TV, checking e-mails and spending useless time on social media until you are done with your to do list for the day. I think being on social media is an important part of growing your business and can be on your to do list for the day. I would just try to avoid time wasters in social media like getting sucked into games or reading every one’s status updates. You don’t need to know that someone you went to High School with ages ago is heating up a Hot Pocket right now. Your time can be better spent working on your business in social media.

Have an organized space- Being organized in my office space helps me out immensely. When I need something I know exactly where to find it and don’t have to spend time searching it out. Same goes for my computer, I tend to bookmark a lot of things for future reference. I go through and organize bookmarks weekly so everything has a folder that is easy to access when needed.

Eat well and get exercise- You are no good to anyone else or yourself if you do not take care of yourself. Make being healthy and fit a priority so you feel good, energized and ready to work. When you are not healthy and have not taken care of yourself you tend to get sluggish and it is hard to work when you feel like that. You will find when you are feeling good you will get a lot more done.

I hope these little tips help you out. Leave me some comments and tell me what you do to manage your time more effectively.

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Comments

Val Wilcox says:

06/09/2010 at 6:02 pm

Angela,
You have some great tips here. I get distracted at times, shutting down the social sights is the only way I can concentrate. I should do this more often!

Thanks for reminding me of this!
Val
Val Wilcox´s last [type] ..Have You Started Your Bucket List?

[Reply]
Angela Reply:
June 11th, 2010 at 9:20 pm
It is so easy to get sucked into social media and waste time. I think social media is a neccessary way to grow your business but there are also a lot of time wasters there. It is all about managing your time efficiently.

[Reply]
Julie Elliott says:

06/24/2010 at 10:32 pm

Great Blog post Angela. I am going through that exact challenge this week with everything I have committed to do as well as my daughter being off school for summer know and taking on Homeschooling in September. I try to do a to do list but find it a Challenge it fit it all in. I guess I need to be more disciplined.
Julie Elliott´s last [type] ..The Power of what you think and journaling

[Reply]
Angela Reply:
June 29th, 2010 at 10:36 pm
Hey Julie! It can be so tough when you have a lot of commitments. I think if you can manage your time effectively you can do it. Thanks for your comment!

[Reply]
Howie Perks says:

07/25/2010 at 2:04 pm

Hey Angela,

The first one, making a “To Do” list, is one that I think many people easily overlook. I know I need to get better at this because when I have my list and actually put pen to paper it really helps with clarity. Also, it’s a great way to celebrate the little daily triumphs when you look down and see your entire list completely checked off!

In Success,
Howie Perks
Howie Perks´s last [type] ..How is your MLM Mindset
Twitter: howieperks

[Reply]
Angela Reply:
July 25th, 2010 at 2:20 pm
Hey Howie! I did not realize how valuable it was to actually have a written to do list for a long time. I thought I could keep track in my head. Once I started writing things down it helped me a ton and I agree it is nice to celebrate the little daily triumphs. Thanks for your comment!

[Reply]
Laura Paulson says:

07/28/2010 at 2:29 pm

Hey Angela, excellent tips and right on point with everything. I like how you included the taking care of yourself – that’s something we too often forget and that is so key.

When I worked outside of the home, I lived by my day-timer and “to-do” list that encompassed everything – not just work. With my home business, it’s all electronic, segregated and just not effective for me. So I need to “re-incorporate” what did work (something I’ve been meaning to do but haven’t so that’s my priority for tomorrow so thank you for the ‘kick in the rear’ It also gives you a sense of accomplishment when you can cross things off your list.

Great article! Thanks, Laura
Laura Paulson´s last [type] ..Get More Referrals

[Reply]
Angela Reply:
July 28th, 2010 at 3:28 pm
I love that sense of accomplishement when you cross things off your list. I am working on a video to show a tool I use for my to do lists. I should have it up in the next day or two.

[Reply]
Dewane Mutunga says:

10/26/2010 at 11:10 pm

Angela,

Time is the SINGLE MOST VALUABLE THING IN THE WORLD. Warren Buffett couldn’t buy a second if he wanted to, so that just goes to show you how valuable time is! Once you set up a system to help you do things both effectively and quickly, you’ll find out that you’ll have even more time to do more things!
Dewane Mutunga´s last [type] ..Four Ways To Warm A Cold Call
Twitter: MUTUNGA

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