How to Improve Time Management: Making the Most of Every Second

86,400 seconds might sound like a lot, but it’s really only 24 hours. And a third of that, about 29,000, is supposed to be spent sleeping. So, how are you spending your other 57,400 seconds every day? What does your time management look like?

People say time is precious, that time is money, but are you actually treating it like that?

Most average people waste most of their 57,400 seconds in unproductive or unrewarding ways. Successful people, on the other hand, learn how to manage their time efficiently. They are aware of how they spend it and make conscious choices to use it wisely whether for work, hobbies, relaxation, or rejuvenation with family.

“It has been my observation that most people get ahead during the time that others waste.”

– Henry Ford

Procrastination 

Chances are you have put off important tasks. You’re human, it’s fine. But when procrastination becomes habitual and affects your daily life, it becomes a problem. In fact, procrastination is probably the number one thing that most people need to work on when working on their time management.

The more we avoid the problem, the more “peace” we feel, and the more we want to avoid doing the work. The longer we avoid doing the work, the more anxious we get having to do it. 

When we are avoiding tasks, our brain starts to see the task as even worse than before. What already seemed too difficult quickly becomes even more daunting because we told ourselves it was harder than we were willing or able to do.

And, of course, the more anxious we get and the more daunting the work seems, the greater the chance that our tasks don’t get done—making our situation a sort of self-fulfilling prophecy.

It’s okay to seek distractions and want to escape feeling overwhelmed but don’t let it keep you from doing your best. The quicker you get that difficult thing finished, the less daunting it becomes in the future.

For some specific ideas on how to stop procrastination, check out this article.

“Most people spend more time and energy going around problems than in trying to solve them.”

– Henry Ford

Systems and Processes

If you run a small business, chances are you’re used to doing everything yourself. Or at least, having to do all the paperwork on top of the parts you love that got you into this in the first place.

But could you be spending less time on paperwork by investing in some systems and processes? Could they help you with your time management?

When the day-to-day paperwork gets so daunting that you are probably spending just as much time avoiding it as you are actually doing it, it’s probably time to invest some of your seconds in setting up some systems and processes. 

If you need some ideas for setting up effective systems and processes, find a business coach. That’s part of what we do.

“Obstacles are those frightful things you see when you take your eyes off your goals.”

– Henry Ford

Get-To-Do Lists

Remember, you’re doing this for a reason. You have dreams and visions for your future, things you want to get done. And every second of every day is a chance to get one step closer to those achievements. Setting small goals and writing them down is a great way to start managing your time and achieving your goals.

• If your dream feels far away, make some goals to get you there.
• If your goals seem too big, break them down into smaller, more manageable tasks.
• If your To-Do list(s) seems lengthy and daunting, stop calling it a “To Do” list and remind yourself it’s a “Get To Do” list with your goal achievement (and maybe some screen time or a sweet treat) as a reward when you finish.

And when that’s still not enough, remember the 5-Minute Rule: Force yourself to work on it for just 5 minutes, with no interruptions, with the understanding that you can quit after that if you want to. It’ll trick your brain into getting started because 5 minutes is probably less than that video you were about to watch anyway. And usually, 5 minutes is all you need to get absorbed enough in the task to just get it done.

“If you always do what you’ve always done, you’ll always get what you’ve always got.”

– Henry Ford

Make the Most of Every Second and Master Your Time Management

Whatever your goals and dreams are, if they matter enough to you, then they are worth it. Stop wasting your precious time on other things and other distractions, and start using your time effectively to reach your goals. Even if you struggle with Time Management, your goals are achievable. Start with 5 minutes, and see where you end up.