We have often heard the phrase, “Time is a luxury”. Between scheduling time for our work, family, and friend catch-ups, there are never enough hours in the day! And time management tips never seem to work. In creative fields such as content writing, the struggle can be real. There is a “flexibility” that often gets compromised.
But, it is important to realise one’s true potential and maximise the time at hand. Read on for some excellent strategies that have worked for a lot of people.
8 Time Management Tips That Do Work
It can be difficult to step out of our comfort zone and consider new ways of doing things. But try some of these techniques, and you will see the difference in your time management skills.
Start With Goal Setting
As a content writer, one is working on a few projects simultaneously. It is important to prioritise the projects based on their deadlines. Set your personal deadlines and task completion dates for each assignment. Ensure sufficient time for each process involved.
Break the Task Into Smaller Parts
No matter how challenging a project may seem, try to simplify it. Set your targets and divide the work into smaller, manageable blocks. Target each work block step-by-step. As you complete each step, you will feel even more motivated. The tasks will be easier to tackle and to finish off. This is widely considered one of the key time management tips.
Create a Routine/ Schedule
Boring as it may sound, having a planned routine helps immensely. You will feel motivated to start the work day if you have a routine in place. There will be days when one is low on energy and not as ‘charged’ as usual. This is when your pre-decided schedule will be helpful.
Further, being disciplined about your work is one of the best time management tips. Avoid distractions that can slow you down, such as calls and browsing messages. Or even a quick look at your favourite brand’s sale. Instead, productively use your time.
Know Your ‘Peak Times’ and Make Them Non-Negotiable
We all are different beings with different capacities and energy levels. Some of us work optimally in the morning hours. Some others like to burn the midnight oil. To each his own. Leading the list of time management tips is to keep the peak hours clutter-free and focused on work. And do not be flexible on this schedule, be a ‘neo nazi’ when it comes to your work.
Avoid Procrastination
Setting deadlines and sticking to them is one of the key time management tips. It is imperative to postpone work for the latter half of the day or, the next day. This will only lead to work piling up, and eventually, the quality could be affected. Hence aim at completing today’s task, today!
Always Start With Research
No matter how much of a time crunch, research is pivotal. Spend at least an hour researching the given topic. Scan relevant blogs, public forums, and published papers or listen to industry specialists. You will get sufficient material that will help you write a well-informed article.
Mind mapping is considered one of the most powerful time management tips. Pen down the ideas on paper as they free-flow visually. This is very effective with idea generation. However, time yourself well. Avoid most of the time on research and have a rushed implementation.
Also read: Podcasting for Content Writers: How to Succeed in Audio
Physical and Spiritual Well-being
Content writing, like any other profession, can be stressful and mentally exhausting. It is necessary to take care of one’s physical health by doing regular exercise and consuming meals on time. Meditation and yoga are excellent spiritual practices that enhance focus and stress-management abilities. These are some of the best time management tips to incorporate into one’s daily life.
Take Breaks at Work
Taking short breaks during work hours is one of the proven time management tips. Often, one may get bogged down with work, which is detrimental to success. Taking short, scheduled breaks helps break the monotony and enhance creativity. One feels re-motivated, and viewing work with fresh eyes is great. So go ahead, take that quick water or coffee break and come back re-charged.
Leverage Productivity Tools and Maximise Your Time
Productivity tools can help you with mundane tasks. Thanks to technology, we have tools that help plan our work and track projects and time schedules. Google Docs, Trello, JotterPad, Asana and Grammarly are some of the free tools available online. Experiment with some and see what works best to increase efficiency.
To Conclude
In today’s fast-paced lifestyle, multitasking is a way of life, especially for content creators who are working on several projects simultaneously. Using time management tips is crucial. With patience and persistence, one can incorporate some of these methods to work to our maximum potential.
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