Managing your time not only allows you tobe more productive but also frees up precious minutes for you to spend howeveryou'd like. To make 2013 your most organized, adopt these four helpful habits.
1. Consider your to-do list a schedule.
Asimple checklist is a great start, but it's important to gauge the time framefor each item, too. Mark each of your tasks with an estimated start and finishtime, taking into account any variables that may slow you down. Next, think ofways to make your schedule more exciting. Brainstorm a mini reward for eachtask completed, like a phone date with your best friend or a new song download.
2. Plan ahead and be thorough. It's smartto lay out your exercise gear the night before a morning workout, but take itone step further by filling your water bottle, charging your iPod, packing yourpurse, and leaving your gym shoes by the door. Small steps like these will havea huge payoff, adding several minutes for you to fill as you please.
3. Learn to prioritize.
Efficiency stemsfrom an ability to rank responsibilities, so decision-making plays a key rolein staying productive. Not a naturally decisive person? Try to consider theimpact of each of task and whether someone else is depending on you to get itdone. There's a chance that you may not make it through your entire to-do list,so it's important to designate the must dos vs. the could dos.
4. Be realistic.
There are only 24 hours ina day, so know your limits and be practical about your plans. You'll feelbetter - and less stressed - when you know that your schedule is doable. Therewill, of course, be extra busy days when you truly can't get everything done.In those cases, consider asking for help and delegate tasks to save time andenergy.