Five Tips: How to manage your time

Do you ever say "I don't have enough time to do everything I need to do". It is a very common excuse a lot of us use. It is also very frustrating when you want to do so many things and yet you can't find the time to do them.

Whilst juggling my two children and working from home, I have managed to find ways to manage my time more effectively so that I can get everything I need to, done. I've done a few time management courses in my career working as a public servant and I found that if you follow and stick to a plan for a few weeks it will become a habit and will definitely help you to continue to manage your time well. It can be hard at first but it will definitely become a good habit in the long run.

1. To start off with always think of your priorities. What is the most important thing that needs to be done to the least important? Learn to priorities and only do things that are actually productive and not time wasters.

2. Write a list of all the things you need to get done and how much time it will take to do them. Every day I have a schedule of all the tasks I need to do for the day and when I will do them. Include everything on the list and then look over it and start eliminating tasks that are not important. You will be surprised to see that there are a lot of things you can take off the list or do on another day. Once you have your list of tasks for the day make sure you stick to them.

3. Don't be sidetracked by interruptions. Learn to say no and write things down so you can remember them later.

4. Learn to delegate. In a busy household there is definitely things you can delegate. For example tidying up the kids rooms, instead of you doing that you can ask the kids to do it - giving you time to do something else. If you need to pick up the dry cleaning or bread and milk instead of you doing it ask your partner to do it or a family member who can help out.

5. Keep everything organised so that you don't waste time looking for things. How many times have you tried to look for something just as you have to leave to go somewhere and you can't find it? Being organised will definitely help in the long run to be able to find things quickly. I have my study all organised with folders and file for things I need so that I can grab things quickly. I am a huge organised fanatic - you can read my tips on how to be organised if you like.

Managing your time is about managing yourself. If you can manage your time effectively it will help you achieve more in less time. This will then give you time to do things that you like spending time on, a hobby!

Are you good at managing your time? Do you have any tips on how to manage your time better?