How to Organize a Busy Week: 5 Time Management Tips
Written by Life & Business Coach on June 4, 2024
1. Get a Paper Calendar or Agenda
This may seem like an obvious step, but as busy people, we often make mental notes and store them in the back of our minds, promising ourselves that we will tackle them at some point. Why not get them out of your head by physically writing them down in a paper calendar?
•Choose a calendar that suits you. There are many custom designs available online, or you could be extra creative and decorate one that speaks to your personality. You’ll be more likely to use a calendar properly if you feel connected to it and want to pick it up.
•Use a physical calendar to write down notes and schedule appointments.
When everything in our life is becoming an unfathomable cloud of digital abstractions, alerts and reminders; the physical act of writing an appointment down will likely help you remember, be more aware of your important appointments and reduce stress.
2. Use a Whiteboard
Get a whiteboard for your kitchen or an area where you spend a lot of time, and write down the tasks you need to complete.
•Use different colors for different tasks. You will find yourself remembering what you need to do every time you glance at the whiteboard. It might also be less overwhelming as the thoughts won’t constantly be racing around in your mind.
3. Make a List and Prioritize Your Tasks
If you have multiple jobs or a busy social calendar, it may be hard to keep track of everything at once. While a paper calendar and a whiteboard will help, strategizing and putting your ideas down in order of priority can create a tidier mind.
•Consider what needs to be done first and what you can put off for a while. Organize your tasks in order of absolute priority and consider financial benefits, personal gain, and which tasks are stressing you out the most.
•Remember, getting the stressful tasks out of the way first frees up time for more enjoyable ones.
4. Factor in Some Downtime
Even if your week is packed with activities, factor in some time to do something you enjoy. Schedule it to ensure you get time to yourself.
•Whether you enjoy a relaxing bath or indulging in your favorite television show, having some time to yourself breaks up your stressful week and gives you time to reset and look forward to something you want to do.
5. Create a Tick List
This is a simple tip, but one that many people find effective. Writing down everything you need to do and then ticking off the jobs as you progress through them will make you feel more in control.
•The physical act of removing a job from your list will give you satisfaction and control as you see the job list slowly decreasing. You’ll feel more in control and gain a real sense of achievement.
Life doesn’t have to be overwhelming. While it’s true that sometimes we can’t eliminate busy periods from our lives, we can do our best to manage them and take back control. As a business coach, these are some of the time management strategies I have observed helping my clients lead more organized and stress-free lives.
