Time Management Matrix – 10 Tips For Effective Time Management
Looking for a time management matrix? Here are 10 steps for you to embrace today for effective time management.
Let’s chat about the time management matrix.
Have you ever thought to yourself that there aren’t enough hours in the day, or felt overwhelmed at the tasks facing you? If so, this post is specifically for you.
Here are the best 10 tips to help you better manage your time:
TIME MANAGEMENT MATRIX
1 – Clarify your goals and strategy
In order to get better at managing your time, you need to first decide how you actually want to spend it.
I want you to be very clear about your aims and ambitions, both short and long term.
How do you want to spend your days?
Your weeks?
Your months?
Your years?
Write them down.
Once you know what you really want to achieve (and why) it’s easier to make decisions about what needs doing, and to plan accordingly.
TIME MANAGEMENT MATRIX
2 – Focus on your top priorities
The next step is being more productive in life is to identify and focus on the areas that are most important to you.
This will require that you work on the fundamentals first.
The Latin word ‘fundamentum’ means foundation – so consider this step to be much like building a strong foundation to your life.
Just like a house needs a strong foundation so too does your life.
Because once that foundation is set, everything that you build upon it will be more stable.
So, what do you think are your biggest priorities in life?
Write them down.
TIME MANAGEMENT MATRIX
3 – Schedule time for your priorities
Once you know what your priorities are, I literally want you to schedule time for this priority in your diary or planner (you do have one of those, don’t you?).
Make sure you have set aside a realistic block of time for your priority actions because remember: a priority task means that this task needs to COME FIRST.
The cool thing is that once you have scheduled time for this action, you can take a deep breath and relax.
Having your priorities scheduled into your diary will reduce the amount of anxiety you feel in your life re: wondering if or when it will be done.
You’ll no longer have to worry about having enough time BECAUSE YOU HAVE ALREADY MADE THE TIME FOR THE IMPORTANT STUFF IN YOUR LIFE!
TIME MANAGEMENT MATRIX
4 – Just say no!
I want you to consider Jim Rohn’s suggestion. “Learn how to say no. Don’t let your mouth overload your back.”
Did you know you had this option to stop adding unnecessary stuff to your plate?
Whenever you are asked to commit your time to an event, always check your schedule before committing to anything new.
Don’t allow others to divert you from your objectives.
Your time is YOURS ALONE to manage well.
Don’t leave it in the hands of others to manage for you.
TIME MANAGEMENT MATRIX
5 – Create supportive systems
Supportive systems include making sure you have systems set up for filing, organization and communication.
So many of us waste so much time because we have no idea where to find something; we waste time wading through crap and mess and disorganisation.
It’s time to stop that today!
Declutter your space because a tidy home leads to a tidy mind.
Have a space for everything in your life and KNOW where that space is designated.
TIME MANAGEMENT MATRIX
6 – Take a reality check
When it comes to the actions you are taking each day ask yourself:
Does your current activity have a positive outcome, or are you doing it to avoid something else? (AKA: ARE YOU SECRETLY PROCRASTINATING?!)
The way to work this out is to ask yourself another question – will doing this action take me towards my goal?
As Peter F Drucker observed “There is nothing so useless as doing efficiently that which should not be done at all.”
TIME MANAGEMENT MATRIX
7 – Delegate!
I know, I know that it’s tempting to do something yourself when you think you can do it faster and better.
But consider how much more time you can save in the long term by delegating some of your tasks. Is this a possibility for you in your own life?
TIME MANAGEMENT MATRIX
8 – Repeat your success
Remember the last time you went away on holiday, and how you were able to get so much done in those few days before you left?
I know for me I was always like superwoman in the leadup to our weeklong camping trips.
Now it’s time to get specific.
What strategies and techniques did you employ that made you so effective and focused?
Can you repeat them?
Alternatively, imagine you are going away tomorrow and you had to tick heaps of stuff off your to-do list.
How would you make this possible?
What would be your plan to be that productive today?
TIME MANAGEMENT MATRIX
9 – Balance your life
Just like you would schedule your personal appointments into your diary, I want you to consider making time for your family, friends, your health and fun in the same way.
Because having a balanced life will definitely help reduce the stress in your life and increase your energy levels.
Here’s a little secret in case you haven’t yet worked it out: time management is really about life management.
TIME MANAGEMENT MATRIX
10 – End the day
At the end of the day, I recommend that you make it as easy as possible to keep your life super organized.
It’s these little things that save you time.
Like tidying your desk, putting your stuff away, making notes about what needs doing tomorrow and prioritise those tasks into your diary.
When you do this, you’ll worry less about how you will be spending your time tomorrow because you will ALREADY KNOW WHAT YOUR PLAN IS.
Prepare and plan so that your days feel focused and in alignment with your priorities.
Honestly these 10 simple tips will help you feel so much more in control of your time each day.
Remember manage your time or your time will manage you.
P.S I help women manage their mind, life and time better so that they take action on their goals and live life with zero regret.
If you have any questions or want to know exactly how I can help you either via my courses or coaching please feel free to DM me today. I can’t wait to hear from you.
Much love,
Frances
Your Dreaming To Doing Life Coach xx
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I’m Frances Vidakovic – a mindset & action coach for quietly ambitious women who want to stop overthinking and finally take aligned action. I help women achieve their goals and follow through on what matters, without sacrificing their sanity or soul.