I think it’s fair to say that we all need guidance on our time management. Few have a routine that is really effective for the tasks they need to accomplish each day, and this is something that is reflected in the quality of the work and the effect that this work has on us at the end of the day.
Both business people, entrepreneurs, and freelancers need to know how to organize their time to carry out their work. But, the tendency that most people follow is to procrastinate until it is completely unavoidable to get down to business.
And don’t get me wrong, procrastination itself is a practice that we need to stop crucifying. Mainly because of how common it is, you have to be understanding with its motivators and reasons, but also because it is a common trait when performing tasks that require creative work on our part. It is proven that highly creative people tend to procrastinate because they are waiting for the real motivation and inspiration to appear, and I think we have all been there, haven’t we?
Even so, this method is not as efficient, since it leaves us less time to execute our tasks, and without realizing it, responsibilities that were “important” become “urgent” and thus, there is never time to do things. meticulously and calmly, we only work under pressure, solving the urgent while we can.
However, what we do not always take into account is that most of the time, the work that we consider most important or significant does not usually come with deadlines or specific delivery times. Therefore, it always goes under the table and remains undone, since what is urgent ends up being the priority.
If you’d like to learn how to prioritize important work as well as urgent work, here are some ways to start heading down that path.
Identify What’s Important
Experts suggest that important, non-urgent priorities are usually related to:
- Your Values: Activities related to manifesting your values, whether it is volunteering in an organization that defends something you believe in, helping a cause, spending time with your family, or creating something that makes you whole.
- Public Recognition: A common motivator in many of the activities that human beings carry out is the recognition and approval of our peers, of the public. Perhaps the important things for you are related to showing your talent, that the world sees what you have to offer and respects you for this. Whether it’s writing and publishing a book, or having an online community.
- Improving Your Skills: Some important but not urgent projects have to do with learning something new or improving some knowledge. For example, learning a new language, or learning to play a musical instrument. Things that would surely help you delve into some interest you have, that would bring improvements to your professional and personal life, but since they are not urgent, you continue to postpone.
Most people forget the importance of these matters, and postpone them, always taking care of urgent tasks and that at first glance it is “more important” to get out of the way. But the ideal would be to learn to distribute the time and attention that we dedicate to each thing, that there is as much space to be responsible and comply with what our work, studies, urgent matters, and delivery limit demand, as for our personal interests, and everything related to our mental and physical health.
Believe It’s Urgent
This is just one way of putting it. What I really want to communicate is: you need to give space in your life to all the other interests you have, and if for that, you need to structure a routine, and set a deadline for yourself, then do it. May these things that are floating around your mind and you know you want to do begin to be a serious task to which you will dedicate time and energy just like the others.
You can start by setting deadlines, and from there, designate a space in your routine or daily life to dedicate yourself to those important activities. A piece of advice that experts offer is that you should give yourself more time than you rationally think you need, since it is very likely that you do not have the same discipline to accomplish these tasks, and it will take time, will, and effort to carry out this plan that you design.
Perhaps the time in which you achieve these goals is unpredictable, but if you have the determination and commitment necessary to carry it out, you will go slowly but surely.
Once you’ve identified the things that are important to you, and started treating them with the same level of attention as your urgent tasks, all that’s left is to find a routine that fits your needs and research time management tips that suit your lifestyle.
If you want to learn more about ways to organize your tasks and manage your time, we have the perfect article for you. Don’t hesitate to take a look at it.
