Hacks for Improving Your Time Management

Time may be infinite, but that doesn’t negate that there are only 24 hours in a day. If you’re like many people, you may wonder how to maximize those hours and ramp up your daily productivity. In a world where distractions run rampant (social media, anyone?), time management is more challenging than ever. Lack of structure and focus are two more culprits that cause you to wonder where all your time went at the end of the day.

But don’t despair! Becoming a pro at managing your time is like any other worthy habit you develop. Keep working at it; it will soon become much easier and more natural for you. Here are five scientifically proven hacks for improving your time management skills and taking your productivity to the next level.

1. Focus on One Thing at a Time

Do you have a million thoughts and tasks in your brain simultaneously? If so, you’re probably working less efficiently than you would if you simply focused on one thing at a time. You might call yourself the ultimate multitasker and take pride in your ability to split your attention between multiple things simultaneously. However, research shows that multitasking isn’t the incredible feat people used to think it was. It can hinder your performance and make you more likely to mess something up.

If you want to get better at using your time effectively, multitasking is not the answer. Instead, you’ll improve your output by focusing on one thing at a time. Resist the erroneous perception that doing multiple things at once will help you accomplish more. When you concentrate on a single task until it’s done, you’ll actually be more productive.

To guide your focus throughout the day, schedule each task into your calendar. Give yourself a reasonable amount of time to complete each item on your list. Scheduling tools such as Calendar, Google Calendar, and Microsoft Calendar make scheduling easy. Within seconds, you can plug different tasks into your day and improve your time management.

2. Soak Up Some Morning Sunlight

You’re likely aware that sunlight exposure can significantly impact your sleep-wake cycle. But did you know that soaking up sunlight can improve sleep quality, boost mood, and improve productivity? According to research, light has a powerful impact on the brain’s response to cognitive tasks. Opening the blinds or stepping outside to bask in the sun’s morning rays may help improve your cognition and brain function.

A Standford University lecturer and neuroscientist, Dr. Andrew Huberman is a huge proponent of morning sunlight exposure. He recommends spending between two and ten minutes every morning in direct sunlight. Even if you have a chaotic schedule, you should be able to reserve a few minutes of your time for sunlight exposure. You might even take your laptop outside to be productive while you benefit from the cognitive-boosting power of the sun.

Dr. Huberman explains that the sun’s rays can support healthy cortisol levels in your body. Too much cortisol is associated with excessive stress, inflammation, and other unhealthy mental and physical effects. However, a healthy cortisol level in the morning can help your body wake up and focus on incoming tasks.

3. Listen to Music

Does music motivate, energize, and inspire you? If so, you’ll be happy to learn that listening to tunes at work may help you reach your time management goals. According to research, music at work can improve time-on-task, work quality, and overall mood. So, don’t be afraid to put some earbuds in and jive to your favorite tunes while answering emails or working on spreadsheets.

Of course, the type of music you choose to listen to is essential for your productivity. Metallica might not be the best choice if you’re working on a detail-oriented project. However, it might be the perfect energizing option if you’re working on an assembly line requiring repetitive actions but not much cognitive effort.

If you’re easily distracted and want to improve your time management skills, opt for music without lyrics. Music without verbal distractions is more likely to enhance focus rather than detract from it. Play around with different music types and volumes until you discover what works best for you in terms of enhancing focus and productivity.

4. Do a Periodic “Calendar Audit”

Online calendars and other scheduling tools are intended to simplify our lives and optimize our time management. However, if they’re not well-maintained, these tools can become bogged down and chaotic. Auditing your calendar periodically can go a long way toward minimizing anxiety and improving time management. It can also declutter your digital workspace, improve your focus, and optimize your work-life balance.

Regular self-imposed calendar audits may soon become something you look forward to because of their stress-reduction benefits. Decluttering—whether it be your living room or your schedule—offers a variety of science-backed mental health benefits. To audit your calendar, block out a dedicated chunk of time for the task. Depending on how cluttered your calendar is, it might take anywhere from 20 minutes to an hour. Next, analyze the various assignments in your calendar.

Do you see any recurring, time-consuming tasks that could be delegated or automated? Can you handle any unnecessary scheduled meetings via a quick phone call or email instead? Rearrange your schedule to prioritize the most important tasks and reduce or eliminate tasks that don’t deserve your time. Don’t forget to schedule personal time so you don’t neglect your physical or mental health.

5. Take Power Naps

Many people view napping as a waste of time or an indication of laziness. This is an unfortunate fallacy that can cause unnecessary feelings of guilt or negativity towards napping. Research shows that napping can actually improve cognitive performance and, therefore, boost productivity. If you’re struggling with time management and can’t seem to focus long enough to get everything done, you may just need a power nap.

As the name suggests, a power nap is a nap that’s just long enough to recharge and invigorate your mind and body. For most people, the ideal power nap is somewhere between 10 and 30 minutes. Anything shorter or longer than that might backfire and make you feel groggier and less energetic than you did before. It can also reduce fatigue, enhance mood, and reduce your risk of making mistakes at work.

As more employers recognize the science-backed benefits of power napping, they’re encouraging their employees to nap. For best results, you should try to rest earlier in the day. Napping in the late afternoon can interfere with your circadian rhythm and make it harder to fall asleep at night. You also shouldn’t use power naps as an excuse to neglect your nighttime sleep needs. Always aim for at least seven hours of quality nighttime sleep, supplemented by daytime power naps as needed.

Conclusion

Managing your time can be challenging in a world of distractions and interruptions. Fortunately, there are plenty of tools and strategies to make this difficult task much more manageable. Use these science-backed strategies to help you stay focused and make the most of each day.

Featured Image Credit: Photo by Andrea Piacquadio; Pexels