Something to consider before getting to the content of the present post.
Now O’ Clock; Being Mindful, it Always is. This title hints at what the plot could be about. The book’s theme is mostly based on the significance and benefits of living in the present and of thinking about “energy management” as doable, and of “time management” as something that simply cannot be done. The author, William Garcia, believes we can no more manage the weather than we could manage Time. He nevertheless suggest that you think of the idea of “time management” as merely a mental tool and nothing more.
OF MAN AND FISH
Fish do not get water, and Man do not get air. Each is born in its own element. Just the same, Man nor Fish get Time, they’re born in it – WG
Living by these words makes his life easier, simpler and more manageable.He also encourages readers, or listeners for that matter, to learn about and start practicing mindfulness meditation. It will, in a positive way, change their perspective about Time, Life and living.
Now O’ Clock; Being Mindful, it Always is, takes you on the inspiring journey toward the enlightened mindfulness of “being” in the moment and staying there long enough to be awakened to the mindless and stressful pace the Beast has set, and how, in insidious ways, it controls our daily lives. We already know the Beast as a “what,” not a “who”. Who, is what it has conditioned us to “be”.
In the book, the author introduces you to the Beast.
Now: How to Create Your Own Time Management Strategy
You might have heard a lot about the importance and benefits of making a good time management strategy. But how do you get to make one that works for you? In this blog, we will discuss the six steps to creating your time management strategy.
How to Create Your Own Time Management Strategy
Six steps will get you to create your time management strategy. Let’s discuss them one by one.
1. Step 1: Enlist The Tasks You Have To Do
One of the most effective time management methods is to list your tasks. List them in priority order and complete the highest-priority ones first. Make sure to check your list every day to make sure you have completed all tasks. Another way to keep track of your tasks is by grading them. For example, if a task is very important, you should prioritize it by assigning it an A+.
If you are struggling with time management, you may want to use a time management strategy that includes a notebook or planner to make your list. It helps to check things off as soon as they get completed, which will keep you motivated. List down all your tasks every day, from big to small. If there are many tasks, you can make two or more lists.
It’s easy to get sidetracked by important but urgent tasks. By separating important tasks from urgent ones, you can better plan for time management. This way, you can focus on the tasks that matter most. Remember to make sure that your priorities are realistic and achievable.
2. Step 2: Define Priorities for Each Task
Prioritizing tasks can make a big difference in your productivity. By understanding which tasks need to be completed before others, you can create a more efficient schedule that allows you to get the most important tasks done first. Prioritizing your tasks can also help you set goals and prioritize your work.
To prioritize tasks, first assess the level of effort needed to complete them. It is easier to complete easier tasks than more challenging ones. Also, remember that you can only accomplish a certain number of tasks each day, so try to focus on the easier ones first.
Time blocking involves dividing your day into small blocks, each with a specific task. This technique motivates you to complete each task, eliminating distractions and procrastination. You can also block particular periods for important tasks to be completed.
Prioritizing tasks is essential for achieving long-term goals. By prioritizing tasks according to their value to your future outcomes, you can determine which duties are most critical and which ones can wait a bit.
3. Step 3: Set Deadlines for Each Task
One of the first steps to creating your time management strategy is to assign deadlines. You can do this using a spreadsheet such as Microsoft Excel or Google Sheets. Regardless of how you create a schedule, it is crucial to review it to ensure that you are not overlooking anything regularly. After all, you don’t want to make the mistake of only deciding to work on one task and forgetting about the others.
Next, you should identify your goals. You can set short-term goals or long-term goals, both for your professional and personal life. Identifying your goals will allow you to prioritize and focus on the tasks that will help you reach your goals. You should determine what tasks are worth doing and how much time they are worth to you.
4. Step 4: Keep Space for Necessary Breaks
Once you have decided how much discretionary time you need each day, write it down in a calendar. You can use a wall calendar, a weekly planner, or an online calendar to manage your time. Once you have done this, you can start filling in the planner. Start by writing down your highest priority tasks, and then move on to scheduling discretionary time.
5. Step 5: Identity What Distracts You
If you are struggling to stay focused, you might consider making a list of your most frequent distractions to identify them. Then, note what you can do to eliminate them. For instance, if you are always interrupted by colleagues, you should figure out why, which can help you better delegate and share the load.
One of the top distractions in the office is colleagues’ interruptions. This is especially true if you work in an open office setting. To avoid distractions, create boundaries with colleagues. This will help you stay focused and prevent burnout or overwhelm. It will also help you stay productive.
6. Step 6: Invest in Time Management Books
Investing in a good book that can teach you how to make a good time management strategy for yourself is a great idea, and it will open your mind up to new things and motivate you. One such book is Now O’ Clock, written by William Garcia, which discusses how you can stay conscious of the present moment using the spiritual practice of mindfulness.
The Bottom Line
To create a time management strategy, you need to know what to prioritize, list tasks, and allocate time for them. This is a process that can take as little as a few minutes. Then, you can schedule your lessons. After completing your list, make sure you plan the time you want to do your discretionary tasks.