10 time management tips that work

Time management is usually defined as the ability to manage your time productively or effectively, often at work. However, for many people, it can be challenging to find enough time to complete their responsibilities. It’s often helpful to observe and improve your current schedule, prioritize your tasks, and avoid multitasking. For individualized guidance regarding your time management skills, consider scheduling a session with an online or in-person therapist.

1. Observe and improve your current schedule

It may be helpful to observe your daily activities before creating a schedule. If you'd like to try this, record everything you do daily for one or two weeks. This can involve tracking how much time you spend doing each activity, which may include scrolling social media, texting, thinking, socializing, completing tasks, attending events, or doing daily chores.

You might miss a few days, but that's okay – you're simply trying to get a broader view of how you spend your days. Then, when you look at your activity log, consider how much time you spend on unproductive actions versus tasks you want or need to do. For example, if you'd like to use social media less and walk your dog more, you might compare how much time you spend doing each activity. 

From here, you can look for ways to improve your existing schedule, increasing how much time you spend completing the tasks you want to focus on. If this feels too overwhelming or challenging, consider speaking with a therapist for help. 

2. Create goals with steps and deadlines

3. Prioritize your tasks

It's often easy to give ourselves so many tasks that we can't do them all, no matter how hard we try. While having several goals can be acceptable, you may need to prioritize them so that you know which ones are most important to you.

Then, it might help to start working on the tasks you feel are the most urgent first. Some of these tasks (e.g., work, self-care, or walking your pet) might be daily responsibilities, while others might be goals you can check off your to-do list when they're done. 

4. Outsource when you can 

Sometimes, there may not be enough time in the day to get everything done. If this sounds like your situation, outsourcing some of your tasks might make time management easier. This doesn't always mean paying someone money to do things for you – you could ask friends and family for help, too. 

For example, if you're struggling to find time to do the laundry, you might be able to find someone in your life who's willing to help. Or, if you can spend a little money, you might look for an individual or business in your area that can do the task you don't have time for at a price you can afford. 

While outsourcing isn’t always an option for everyone, you may not know who will lend a hand until you ask around. 

5. Avoid multitasking

Research shows that the human brain generally cannot do two tasks at once. When you multitask, you're typically focusing on one task at a time and switching between each activity. This may reduce your efficiency and creativity. 

Instead of multitasking, try focusing on one thing at a time and moving to the next task only when you've completed the first. You might find that this helps you get things done more productively. 

6. Make time for yourself 

You don't necessarily have to eliminate time for yourself for effective time management. Research suggests that some relaxation and self-care activities, like meditation, can improve your productivity and performance. 

As you build your schedule, don't be afraid to block out time to take care of yourself. You deserve to do things you find relaxing, such as exercising, meditating, reading, or listening to music. 

7. Reserve time to plan your days 

Staying on schedule and effectively using your time usually requires ongoing effort. It often helps if you know what to expect each day. 

You might allow 15 to 30 minutes each morning or night to schedule your tasks, review your to-do list, and make any necessary updates. In addition, you can set aside time at the end of each week to plan for the following week.

8. Give yourself time for necessities 

Almost everyone needs time to sleep, eat, exercise, and go through their morning and night routines. Scheduling these things out of your day or not giving yourself enough time for these activities doesn't eliminate your need for them and may negatively impact your physical and mental health.

9. Plan for interruptions

While you likely can't anticipate interruptions, you can set aside extra time for them. Then, if you get interrupted during your day, it may be easier to stay on schedule. If you don't encounter interruptions on a given day, you'll generally have a little extra time for other things.

10. Reward yourself

Rewarding yourself after you've accomplished goals has the potential to inspire and motivate you. It's often best to choose realistic rewards that don't interfere with your goals. 

Whether you reward yourself with new fitness equipment after sticking to your exercise routine for a month or a short vacation after paying off your credit cards, having something to look forward to might help you stay on schedule. 

Benefits of online therapy

Online therapy might be a good choice if you're unhappy with your current time management skills, as it generally eliminates the need to drive to appointments and allows you to schedule them at a time that works with your existing routine.

Effectiveness of online therapy 

Although more research may be needed regarding the efficacy of online therapy for time management skills, a growing body of evidence suggests that it’s as effective as in-person therapy in treating a variety of mental health disorders and concerns.