By Kim Sayatovic, Belladeux Event Design
Photo by rawpixel.com
As the saying goes, “time is money.” So doesn’t it stand to reason that you should be managing yours to the best of your ability? There are lots of ways you can make the most of each day, from your environment to your calendar, you just have to make it a priority.
With that in mind, I’m sharing some of my favorite tips for keeping your days on track and as productive as possible.
Say Yes to Block Scheduling
Some of the biggest offenders for wasting time are distraction and lack of prioritizing. The easiest way to get rid of these bad habits are by adopting a block schedule. Start every day with a to-do list that’s broken down by hour and level of priority. For example, set aside an hour dedicated to answering and writing emails, followed by an hour for social media management, and then time for client management. By focusing on one task at a time, you’ll have been able to give it the attention it needs and finish in less time than you think.
Create a Dedicated Work Space
For those that leave their house and go to an office, you have that dedicated time to mentally prepare for the day ahead, whether it’s in your car on the bus or subway. But for those that work from home, it can be a challenge to go from home to work and back again each day. Often, the two intertwine making it difficult to complete your to-do list without working into the late hours of the night. The solution is to have a space in your home that is strictly for work. That way, when it’s time to clock out, you can leave work behind until tomorrow, and your mind can easily slip back into family mode. Once you’re able to get a good routine going, it will do wonders for your productivity and mental health.
Create ‘Me’ Time Appointments with Yourself
If you are a person who lives on their calendar, then you should start making appointments with yourself to have a little down time. That way, it’s set in stone and marked you as busy so no one can interrupt or put in for a last minute phone call. These appointments are just for you, so whether it’s a painting class, yoga or just sitting in your office catching up on the latest celebrity gossip, make the most of the time you’ve allotted for your mental break.
Sometimes, You Have to Say No
This is something that is definitely easier said than done for most of us. It can often feel like everyone is constantly vying for your time and attention for a million different reasons, and if you said yes to all of them, you wouldn’t be able to get anything else done. It’s important to set boundaries and realize when you need to take a step back and catch your breath. If it’s been a particularly crazy week of appointments, it’s ok to re-schedule that coffee date with your girlfriends so that you can catch up on some office work. It works the other way too, don’t be afraid to push some work to the next day so that you can go out and be with your friends and family- it’s all about balance.
Good time management is a lifelong journey that you’ll be tweaking and changing forever. But these tips are a great place to start, and will no doubt help you reclaim some of your day.
Kim Sayatovic is the Founder and Chief Creative Officer of Belladeux Event Design, a full-service wedding and event design firm based in New Orleans, Louisiana.
