To say that life gets busy is the understatement of the century. In fact, many people face difficulties when it comes to finding time management strategies that actually work. This is especially true for busy women. Whether we are balancing family, work, school, and extracurriculars or simply just trying to add more structure to our daily routines, it can be difficult to find ways to master our time and productivity. Thankfully, there are some great time management strategies for busy women out there that actually work.
Get Enough Sleep
While this may seem counter productive to managing your time, it can actually have a positive effect on your schedule. If you aren’t well rested, you will end up wasting more time during the day than you would if you had a good night’s sleep. Go to bed at a good time and make sure to get enough rest, it will make you more productive during the day.
Have a Morning Routine
Routines my seem mundane to some but the truth is, they work. Having a morning routine can help you to make sure that you are starting your day on the right foot. Routines will help you to stay on task rather than getting distracted by other things. Rather than waking up and checking your e-mail first thing in the morning, opt to do something that better prepares you for the day ahead. This can mean getting dressed, showering, putting on your makeup or simply enjoying a hot coffee.
Simply Say No
You do not have to attend every single co-op planned outing or field trip, and you certainly do not have to take on additional work if you find yourself bogged down. Allow yourself to say no to additional tasks when you know that you are crunched for time. Overloading yourself and your schedule is only a recipe for time management disaster.
Set Realistic Goals
If you find that your list of to-dos is too packed, start minimizing it. Set realistic goals each day, after all a list of things you have to complete is useless if it is unattainable. Take the time to schedule things properly, and if you end up with more time once you have completed your list, that is a bonus. Overscheduling and setting impossible goals will only lead to failure and stress.
Delegate Whenever Possible
Allowing someone else to handle a task is not a negative thing. Sometimes you just have to relinquish control and allow someone else to help out. While letting things go is not easy, it also doesn’t count as admitting defeat, so do not hesitate to ask for help when you are overwhelmed. After all, teamwork makes the dream work.
When it comes to time management strategies for busy women, there are several things that work to help you better tackle your day. Make sure to get enough sleep, have a morning routine, learn to say no when you are too overwhelmed and set realistic goals. Doing these things will not only help when it comes to managing your time, but they can also have a positive effect on your stress levels. It is also important to delegate tasks whenever possible and remember that asking for help doesn’t mean you are failing, it means you are managing your time intelligently.