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We all wish we had more time in our days. Whether you work full time and you’re bringing up a family, or you’re a student who can’t keep on top of your studies, we’ve put together five ways to make more use out of your time in 2018 – and become a more organised, productive person.
1. Stop watching TV
Let’s start with something controversial. Every hour you spend binging Netflix or watching television is an hour that you could be spending doing something more productive.
It’s easy to get caught up on YouTube or start a new season of your favourite TV show, but it’s crazy how quickly time can pass when you’re sat staring at a screen. So, make it your aim to quit or at least cut down on the amount of TV and video content you consume, as it’s a time killer and can cause health problems.
2. Make lists
If you want to be more productive and organised this year, then start making lists of the tasks you want to complete. This could be a simple Google Doc, your Reminders app on your iPhone, or you might prefer to work from an actual list.
Keep note of everything you want to achieve in the coming days or weeks, and enjoy the satisfaction of ticking them off when they’re complete.
3. Say no
Do you really need to go out with your friends every night of the week? Learn to say no to events and social functions when you don’t want to or don’t have the time to. If your friends and family really care about you, they’ll support your decision – and there’ll be plenty of opportunities for catchups when you’re feeling more organised and under control of your life.
The same goes for extra tasks and responsibilities – if you’re feeling the pressure and you think taking on an extra class will send you over the edge, accept that you’re not a superhero and just say no.
4. Prioritise tasks
The more things you have on your mind, the harder it’ll be to concentrate and get things done. Learn to prioritise and focus on what’s really important. If you manage to finish all of your coursework before 9 pm, then reward yourself with an hour of social media or your favourite TV show. Accept that there’s only so much you can do in the day, and make sure that you know how to relax when you’ve done enough.
5. Ask for help
Instead of trying to complete everything on your own, learn to ask for help and delegate tasks that you don’t have the time to do. For example, at home, you could ask your housemates to help tidy your kitchen or ask your boyfriend to cook dinner while you finish off an assignment. At work, speak to your boss and let them know that you’ve got too much responsibility on your shoulders; you’ll be amazed at how quickly things can shift when you’re prepared to be open and honest.
How do you cope when you feel like you’ve got too much on your schedule? Let me know in the comments or over on @Fuzzable.
