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It’s been a while since I’ve talked about staying organized and managing my time, so I thought it might be nice to revisit that topic. In a way, my schedule has become more flexible over the past year. Though I still have a busy schedule, I’ve been given a little more freedom over my hours. It’s been great, but it comes with a hidden burden: I have to be incredibly mindful of my time.
If I’m not careful I can spend too much or too little time on random tasks. I can also over schedule myself and easily end up burnt out after a few days. I value time too much to let that happen though! It’s why time management has become incredibly important to me.
Everlane Silk Dress c/o
Old Navy Sandals
Everlane Day Gloves
Madewell Tote
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Everlane Silk Dress c/o
Old Navy Sandals
Everlane Day Gloves
Madewell Tote
Benefits of Time Management
I’m not always the best at time management, I’ll admit it. In fact, yesterday, I spent an hour sitting on my floor and doing random tasks to avoid making lunch. (So weird, I know.) But I know there are so many benefits to developing good time management skills (and I’m sure there’s some area of your life where you could use some time management too).
I know what I’m doing and when.
Even though my schedule is forever changing, I know where I’m supposed to be and what I’m going to be doing. For a type-a like my, it can feel like a burden is lifted having this planned out. It also allows me to pack my bag for a full day. Instead of having to run home between every single thing, I can go from one event to the next. This is especially helpful with getting dressed in the morning. I start my day in my summer business casual and I know to throw an extra pair of shoes or top in, just in case. Also, if I have down time between things, I can use it to run errands or cross other things off of my list.
All my annoying tasks actually get done.
Another one of the benefits of time management? All of my annoying tasks are actually getting done. Like I mentioned in the point above, I can now pair chores and errands with other events so they all get done at once, instead of individual trips.
For instance, when I went to pure barre the other morning, I also returned my books to the library, picked up a prescription from CVS, and treated myself to a nail polish change at the new nails place. Plus, while I was waiting to get my nails done, I planned out the outfits for my next photo shoot. It’s no wonder I just wanted to sit around by the time I got home.
I don’t get burned out.
This point and the next one actually go hand in hand. I really use to force myself to work multiple days in a row, sometimes 11 to 12 hour days. It sucked. I was also getting so tired that I wasn’t even being productive and my level of stress would sky rocket. I would sit down to write blog posts and just stare at a blank screen. Getting myself to do easy tasks was like pulling teeth. It was torture and so much wasted time.
But now, I don’t have that, I have my scheduled work time and I have my me time.
I’ve actually gotten my “me time” back.
Speaking of my me time, this is definitely one of the best benefits of time management. I’ve gotten my me time back. Even just a month or two ago I would be reading for fun and feel bad about the fact that I wasn’t doing blog work. Not anymore. I know when my time to work on the blog is and anything after that is extra, but not forced.
I have my extra time back now and I don’t feel bad about it at all.
Time Management Tips For Consistently Changing Schedules
Ready for some of my most effective time management tips?
Always leave at least one night open
This is HUGE thing for me. Like I mentioned before, if I work too many days in a row, I get burned out. I need to know I have at least one evening with nothing scheduled to look forward to.
As an introvert, that typically means that I’ll plan to spend the night alone at home, but obviously, that can be different for everyone.
Batch tasks
Do you know what batching is? A quick explanation if you don’t: batching is doing a bunch of similar tasks at once for a set amount of time. For instance, if I’m putting together blog posts, instead of taking blog pictures for one outfit, editing pictures for one post, then writing the text, then putting in links, I would spend two hours taking blog pictures for 6 different outfits. I would then go edit all of those pictures. Then , I would spend however many hours just writing content. Finally, I would gather all of the affiliate links and create all of the widgets at the same time.
What’s the benefit of batching? By focusing on a single task, you’re helping your brain stay productive. Every time you have to switch tasks, your productivity goes down (that’s why you’re typically less productive when you multitask). Would it make sense for me to go put on an outfit, take pictures, write a post, publish it, and then run outside and take more pictures? No.
Batching helps you get like tasks done and saves you time, and ultimately money!
Free time is important
Remember when I talked about getting burned out earlier? Yeah, that’s bad. So one of my major tips for you? Remembering that free time is important. Even if you need to schedule it. You need to have your free time.
Have a scheduled “work day” or “work time.”
This advice might me more for bloggers or people with a side hustle. I fully understand that your life gets a little crazy when you throw a side hustle into the mix. (After all, I am the girl with a full time job, a part time job, and a blog.) So how do I deal with that? I have scheduled worked time. Sunday afternoons are my work time. Also, when I get to work in the morning, I have a short checklist of a few things I can do to help my blog.
Like I mentioned earlier, it allows me to relax when it’s not my “working hours.” I don’t feel bad for not doing work during me time and I can focus when it is work time.
Do you have any tips when it comes to managing your time? Share them with me in the comments!
Photos by Kimberly Graydon
