Methods of Effective Time Prioritization

Each of us has commitments and demands on our time. For some of us these are work related, for others, these are social commitments centred around friends and family – although more often than not there is a strong overlap between them both. When we consider the challenges we face and the demands they place on us, one of the most effective ways of dealing with them is by setting realistic targets so we can prioritize our time accordingly. Not only does setting ourselves targets usually make us readier and more motivated to face everyday challenges, but setting realistic goals can take some of the stress out of our day and even start to make some of the demands we face feel more enjoyable

Time prioritisation can have relevance in our lives in different ways.
For those of us with work commitments, prioritizing our time can be a crucial factor both within the workplace and without, and can play a big part in helping us attain a healthy work-life balance. For those of us looking to get into work, ironic as it sounds, prioritising our time can actually hold an even higher degree of relevance. While we may have fewer demands on our time, looking for employment becomes more challenging not only because it’s normally harder to get back into work, but because some of us find it more stressful to keep a regular schedule and consequentially struggle to keep our motivation levels where they should be. That’s why both as a practical way to manage our time, and as a psychological means of helping us keep our motivation levels healthy, constructing even the most basic of schedules is a great way to help us become more productive and stay as proactive as possible

Generalised methods of effective time prioritization
When we consider what successful time prioritization entails in the setting of goals and targets for ourselves, it not only gives us a way to effectively manage and prioritize our time, but it also gives us a means to control some of the circumstances impacting our everyday lives. More than this though, as we attain the goals and targets we’ve set, even if they don’t seem significant at the time, we can find ourselves feeling more and more fulfilled after completing each one, leaving us increasingly motivated to do even more.
Effective time prioritization is not something that should be immensely complex and difficult. Indeed, quite the opposite, it should be very straightforward and simple. We should think of prioritizing our time as something that can not only help us complete more tasks with the time available to us each day, but as something that can also enable us to complete them more effectively and to a better standard too. In order for us to do this, there are several different areas we need to carefully manage and consider. These can be broken down into several different steps:

• Firstly, think about all the things you need to get done and consolidate all of these tasks onto one master list

• Next, decide what tasks on the list are most important. It’s normally best to rely on your own good sense of judgement to do this, but if you’re unsure how to prioritize your tasks, there are several different methods you can use.
  We recommend using the Ivy Lee method. (Ivy Lee, 1918)

• Under the Ivy Lee method, at the end of each night (in order of importance), write down your six most important tasks to complete for the following day. All other tasks are considered unimportant, and are kept elsewhere on your master list or omitted altogether

• The very next day, begin working on the tasks one at a time, starting with the first one at the top of your list

• Under this method, you should focus on only one task at a time until it is completed before moving onto the next one

• If you don’t finish all of your tasks, move the unfinished items onto a new list of 6 items… and continue on like this every day until you’ve completed all of your tasks

Following an effective schedule can help us make the most of our time each day. By getting more done during our work time, we’ll be more motivated, we’ll be more productive, and we’ll also free up more leisure time for ourselves in the process. Here are some more tips to help ensure you get the most out of your time prioritization efforts

• Knowing ourselves and how we work is an essential element for effective time prioritization. That’s why once we have put together our master task list, we should think about devising a work schedule to go along with it, that way we can get as much done as possible with the time we have available each day

• Are you a morning person or a night owl? When choosing the times to work on your task list, think about the hours when you are most productive. It’s also sensible to work on your list at times when businesses are open so you can get more things done

• If you find it too difficult to manage a daily task list, there’s nothing stopping you from making a weekly, or a monthly one instead

• Psychologists have found it’s normally easier if you prioritize your most difficult tasks first, and save the easier ones for later

• It‘s also normally easier and more efficient for you to deal with one task at a time rather than switching between tasks

• When you score off a task from your list, noting the date and the time it took to complete that task is also normally a very sensible thing to do

• Keeping a log of work you’ve completed can be useful on so many different levels. Not only can you reference back to previous work if you need to, (which can be a particularly useful way of saving time in the workplace), but it can also be a great source of inspiration at times to simply take a step back and review what you’ve accomplished so far
  
  

Setting achievable goals (How To Set Achievable Targets)

Setting achievable goals is one of the first things that should come to mind whenever we think about effective time prioritization

There are no precise rules on what an achievable goal is, this is because it is subjective to you as an individual. If you find you have difficulty setting goals, utilising acronyms like SMART when writing things down in the planning stages can be an effective way for you to introduce a methodology into your thinking that can help you set goals more effectively. Setting achievable goals also involves you effectively questioning your circumstances too. Therefore, when setting goals for yourself, you should consider the following:

How long is it before the task is due? How hard do you believe the task to be? How long have you been trying to complete this task prior to composing your list? Do you have a good understanding of the things needed to complete this task? These are all things you should factor into any decision-making you do when setting targets for yourself.
Also, its good practice try and orient tasks on your list to those only needed in the near or immediate future, as focusing your attention on things too far in advance can hinder your efforts and be counter-productive to your overall goals. Not to mention the fact that your priorities might change over time, so tasks you thought were relevant at one point might not be later on down the line.
If you’ve been out of work for a while, or are unfamiliar with using your own personal schedule to complete an everyday task list, the best advice you can take is to start small. That way you’ll get used to performing daily tasks and once you’ve become accustomed to following a regular schedule, you can then increase these tasks gradually over time

Adhere to a good work schedule

When we think of effective time prioritization methods, another one of the things that should come to mind is having a solid work schedule that we can follow

Knowing ourselves and how we work is an essential element for effective time prioritization, that’s why once we’ve put together our ‘to do’ list, we should then put together a work schedule to go along with it, that way we can get as much done as possible with the time we have available each day. This can be a formal schedule, where we allot set times for work and rest periods that are written into a diary or planner, or it can be an informal schedule, one that we simply adhere to in our heads. It’s really about whatever works best for us. The truth is that having an effective work schedule is more about knowing ourselves and how we work, and about having the self-discipline to follow through with the goals we’ve set ourselves, rather than anything else

Sometimes, we feel we have so much to do, that it all starts to get a bit overwhelming, and instead of doing more, we end up giving in and doing less instead. By writing out a ‘to do’ list and adhering to a work schedule to manage our time effectively, it enables us to make the everyday challenges we face a lot more manageable.
Part of the reason for composing a master ‘to do’ list is practical, we want to try and prioritize our time so we can get as much done as we can. However, another part of the reasoning behind this is psychological. We want to see the progress we’ve made, we want to feel like we’re achieving something, and in having a tangible record of what we accomplish each day, week, or month, it pushes us further onward to do even more.
While you should strive to get every task completed in an equally diligent manner, another rule for effective time prioritization is that we should always put more effort into getting the essential tasks done over the non-essential ones. That’s why by thinking about what’s important versus what’s not, it helps us to do the things we need to do when we want to do them, at the times when we’re at our ready and most productive.
In the workplace, utilising effective time management methods can help us work more effectively, and when utilized properly this in turn can help free up more spare time which can lead to us attaining a greater work-life balance. Alternatively, if we’re in the job market looking for work, having a realistic set of targets to achieve each day can improve our confidence and help us feel like we’re working towards something. In turn, this can greatly increase our productivity and motivation levels

Ultimately, what we are looking for with the time prioritisation methods we employ is to get more from the way we spend our day. We want to become more efficient in the way that we work, we want to be more motivated and focused, and we want to produce a better quality of work overall

Maintaining a healthy work-life balance is essential if we want to wake up the next day feeling ready to face the challenges of a busy workplace, or with the discipline needed to take on the demands of a challenging task list.
To do this we need to ensure we get the rest and recuperation we need, and while there are multitudes of ways we can enjoy doing this, many psychologists now agree that removing ourselves from our everyday surroundings is one of the most effective ways we can do this. 
It’s a fact that in the workplace, it can be stressful having so many different tasks pulling us in so many different directions each demanding our time. When out of work, it can be equally as stressful, if not more so, and simply keeping our motivation levels up can be a big challenge. While having a ‘to do’ list can be a big step forward, in order to follow a schedule that allows to accomplish our tasks it is important we enjoy a proper allocation of leisure activity and stress alleviation. When considering what our options are in this regard, and the psychological edge it can provide, there are several different techniques we can use to try and effectuate this:

Exercise
Exercising is one of the most beneficial things a person can do.
Not only does exercise keep you fitter and healthier, giving you better self-esteem and higher energy levels. But a proper exercise schedule will help you feel better and reduce stress hormones, and it’s also another great way for you to keep your self-discipline high so you can maintain a great mental attitude

Do Yoga
Yoga is used both as a form of exercise and as a form of stress relief.
It is highly regarded both for its introspective and meditative properties. Not only is it physically less demanding than other forms of exercise, but it’s widely renowned for being a progressive form of stress relief. That’s why after a long day’s work, it can be a great way of stepping outside your everyday surroundings and into your inner self, so that when tomorrow comes you are ready once again to take on the world

Listen to relaxing Music
While some music can be an acquired taste, listening to good mood music can be a great way to disconnect and remove yourself from all the stresses of a long workday. Not only is calm, soothing music a great way to reduce stress hormones, but it’s the perfect way to unwind after a busy day and get yourself ready to do it all over again tomorrow

Try Aromatherapy
Aromatherapy has many purported medicinal and therapeutic properties.
After long hours toiling over a challenging ‘to do’ list, this method of relaxation can prove to be a welcome form of reprieve and respite during your downtime. That’s why many people use aromatherapy to create a place of solitude and sanctuary in their homes and lives, and it can leave you feeling rejuvenated and relaxed before continuing on with the rest of a challenging task list or work schedule.
You can find aromatherapy containers in a number of different forms such as diffusers, body products, candles, and scented sticks…

Spend time with Friends and Family
Although sometimes the stresses and challenges of family life is something people need to get away from, at other times they can provide a powerful support mechanism that can help us cope with the pressures of a busy work schedule and give us the motivation and inspiration to continue on with the everyday challenges we face. Revell in the loving kinship you have and use this as the strength to complete the challenges you face each day

Create a piece of Art
Anyone with an artistic or creative side should consider doing this.
While at first, it can seem like another form of work, it can actually be a great way to disconnect from your surroundings and unwind. Making artwork can not only have a therapeutic value, but it can be great for increasing self-esteem, enhancing your contemplative abilities, and also has the practical upshot of being something you can use either for your own personal indulgence, for a work portfolio, or even as a way to make money

Build a Sanctuary for yourself
Having a place away from the hustle and bustle of your everyday surroundings can be a godsend. When the pressures of work or the stresses of a demanding social circle get to be too much, retreating into your own place of private refuge for a few hours or days can be the greatest joy.
Creating a sanctuary can be a cheap and simple thing to do, and the benefits you can derive from feeling like you’re removed from it all can be numerous. Designate a space in your household, or a specific time in the day not to be disturbed. Use decor like furniture and ornaments, put up posters or artwork, and use plants and music all to good effect to create your own perfect haven. Then turn off your phone and other distractions, and unwind to get the peace and inner solitude that you deserve