January 8, 2024 9 min to read

Juggling Life | How to Manage Your Time

A Personal Journey Towards Effective Time Management

Have you ever felt like time is slipping away from you? Like you have so much to do, but not enough hours in the day? Like you’re always running behind, missing deadlines, and forgetting things?

If you answered YES to any of these questions, you’re not alone. I used to feel the same way. My life was a mess of chaos, stress, and frustration. I was constantly overwhelmed by my endless to-do list, and I felt like I had no control over my time or my life.

But then, something amazing happened. I discovered the secrets of effective time management that transformed my life for the better. I learned how to plan, prioritize, and execute my tasks with ease and efficiency. I learned how to say no to distractions and yes to my goals. I learned how to make the most of every minute of every day.

And you know what? You can learn these secrets too. In this blog post, I’m going to share with you the strategies and tools that helped me manage my time and live a better life. These are not complicated or difficult techniques. They are simple, practical, and proven methods that anyone can apply to their own situation.

So, if you’re ready to take charge of your time and your life, keep reading. I promise you, it will be worth it.

The Book That Started It All

My journey to effective time management began with a book. A book that was given to me by a good friend who saw how much I was struggling. A book that changed my perspective and my habits. A book that I’m forever grateful for.

The book is called The Miracle Morning by Hal Elrod. It’s a best-selling guide that teaches you how to create a powerful morning routine that sets you up for success every day. The book shows you how to wake up early and spend the first hour of your day doing six activities that boost your energy, focus, and motivation. These activities are:

• Silence: Spend some time in quiet meditation, prayer, or reflection.
• Affirmations: Repeat positive statements that reinforce your confidence and self-worth.
• Visualization: Imagine yourself achieving your goals and living your ideal life.
• Exercise: Do some physical activity that gets your blood flowing and your body moving.
• Reading: Read something that educates, inspires, or entertains you.
• Scribing: Write down your thoughts, feelings, and insights in a journal.

At first, I was skeptical. I thought, “How can waking up early and doing these things make such a big difference?” But I decided to give it a try. And I was amazed by the results. By following the Miracle Morning routine, I was able to start my day with a clear mind, a positive attitude, and a sense of purpose. I was able to tackle my tasks with more clarity, creativity, and productivity. I was able to achieve more in less time, and enjoy the process.

“The Miracle Morning” taught me that how you start your day determines how you live your day, and how you live your day determines how you live your life. By making a few simple changes to my morning habits, I was able to have a huge impact on my time management and my quality of life

The Art of Saying “NO”

Another key lesson I learned about time management is the art of saying “NO.” This was a difficult lesson for me, because I’ve always been a people-pleaser. I wanted to help everyone, please everyone, and be liked by everyone. But I realized that by saying yes to everything and everyone, I was saying no to myself. I was sacrificing my own goals, dreams, and happiness for the sake of others.

I learned that saying no is not selfish or rude; it’s necessary and respectful. It’s necessary because you have limited time and energy, and you need to use them wisely. It’s respectful because you’re being honest and realistic, and you’re not letting anyone down.

So, how do you say no without feeling guilty or offending anyone? Here are some tips I’ve learned:

• Be honest but kind: If you can’t do something, just say so. Don’t make up excuses or lie. People appreciate honesty, and they will respect you for it.
• Offer a rain check: If you can’t do something now, but you’re interested in doing it later, suggest another time that works for you. This way, you’re not rejecting the person or the opportunity; you’re just postponing it.
• Keep it short and sweet: Sometimes, all you need is a polite “No, thanks.” You don’t have to explain yourself or justify your decision. Just be courteous and firm.

My Daily Game Plan: Micro-Scheduling

One of the most effective tools I use for time management is micro-scheduling. It is a technique where you plan your day in detail, breaking it down into small chunks of time and assigning specific tasks to each chunk. For example, instead of writing ‘work on project’ in your calendar, you write ‘work on project: research, outline, draft, edit, proofread’ and allocate a certain amount of time for each subtask.

Micro-scheduling helps me in several ways.

• First, it helps me stay focused and avoid distractions. By having a clear plan for each hour of my day, I know exactly what I need to do and when I need to do it. I don’t waste time wondering what to do next or switching between different tasks. I just follow my schedule and get things done.

• Second, it helps me manage my energy and motivation. By breaking down big tasks into smaller ones, I make them more manageable and less overwhelming. I also get a sense of accomplishment and progress every time I complete a subtask. This boosts my confidence and keeps me motivated to continue.

• Third, it helps me track my performance and improve my productivity. By setting a time limit for each task I challenge myself to work faster and smarter. I also measure how long it actually takes me to finish each task, and compare it to my estimate. This way, I can identify where I’m doing well and where I need to improve. I can also adjust my schedule accordingly and optimize my time.

To create my micro-schedule, I use a simple notebook and a pen. I write down my daily goals and then break them down into subtasks. I estimate how long each subtask will take and assign it to a specific time slot. I also leave some buffer time between tasks, in case something takes longer than expected or something unexpected comes up. I also schedule some breaks throughout the day to recharge and relax.

Here’s an example of what my micro-schedule looks like:

My Favorite Tools: Back to Basics

There are many apps and gadgets that claim to help you with time management. I’ve tried some of them, and they can be useful and fun. But in the end, I realized that I don’t need fancy or complicated tools to manage my time. I just need the basics: a notebook, a pen, and an alarm.

• A notebook and a pen are my best friends when it comes to time management. I use them to create my micro-schedule, write down my thoughts and ideas, make lists and notes, and track my progress and results. I find writing by hand more effective and satisfying than typing on a screen. It helps me remember things better and gives me a sense of ownership and achievement.

• An alarm is my other essential tool for time management. I use it to remind me of my tasks, deadlines, and appointments. I also use it to set time limits for my tasks and to signal when it’s time to take a break. An alarm helps me stay on track and on time and prevents me from losing track of time.

Of course, I also use some digital tools for certain things, like Google Calendar for scheduling my meetings and events. But for the most part, I stick to the basics. They are simple, reliable, and effective.

My Mantra: Simplify and Focus

The final secret I want to share with you about time management is my mantra: simplify and focus. This is the principle that guides all my decisions and actions when it comes to managing my time and my life.

• Simplify means to eliminate the unnecessary and keep the essential. It means saying no to the things that don’t matter and yes to the things that do. It means decluttering my space, my mind, and my schedule, and creating more room for what matters.

• Focus means to concentrate on one thing at a time and to do it well. It means to avoid distractions and multitasking and to give my full attention and effort to the task at hand. It means to set clear goals and priorities and to follow them with discipline and determination.

Some Food for Thought

If you’re looking for more inspiration and guidance on time management, I highly recommend reading ‘Focus on What Matters’ written by Darius Foroux. It’s a gem that reminds us how crucial it is to stay focused amidst the chaos of everyday life.

And Finally…

Time management isn’t just about crossing off items on a list; it’s about choosing a lifestyle that aligns with your goals and values. My transformation from a disorganized, forgetful person to someone who’s got their act together (mostly!) has been quite the adventure. Now, it’s your turn. How do you handle the ticking clock? Let’s start a conversation by sending me a message.

Thank you so much for reading! If you find this article helpful, please share it, and follow me on Instagram for more stories and tips on managing the wild ride we call life. Can’t wait to hear your thoughts!