25 Nov Time Management Made Easy (And, dare I say it – Gorgeous! Just like Ryan Gosling)

Yes, I said Time Management can be gorgeous! Implementing an effective, easy time management strategy will absolutely CHANGE YOUR LIFE.

I used to wake up feeling motivated, with a list of things I needed (and wanted) to achieve in the day.  However, I would sadly end my day deflated knowing that I didn’t achieve what I set out to. Hating the feeling of lying in bed each night making a mental list of everything I didn’t do, I set out on a mission to change how I managed my time.  I wanted to finish my days on a high, feeling fulfilled, knowing that (for the most part) I’d had a productive day.  Productivity = happy vibes = a great night’s sleep.

Of all the people, I know, Jo Moloney is one savvy chick who seems to have it all together when it comes to managing time. She works as a Client Relationship Manager for a City firm two days per week; runs her own yoga business teaching four evening classes a week; and works as a Virtual Assistant! Some might think – ‘wow, how does she manage all of that without feeling burnout?’  She’s shared her time management strategy with me so I can share it with you.  She says…

“I create a To Do list for each day.  I like a hard copy To Do list to write on so I can easily refer to it at my desk or whip it out of my handbag on the go. Like most people, I usually have multiple things I want to get done in any day – and unrealistic expectations of what is actually possible. At the start of my day (in consultation with my trusty Outlook calendar) I prioritise my Top 3 Tasks for the day and look forward to getting stuck in and crossing them off, in order. LOL.  Happiness is… crossing of your jobs, right?! That sense of accomplishment.”

I have to agree with Jo: being organised, prioritising, completing the jobs that need doing first and ticking the items off as completed is THE BEST FEELING.  It focuses and motivates me, allowing me to move through my tasks mindfully, rather than allowing myself to be distracted (having a sneaky look at Facebook right now, anyone?!).

Here is a list of some tips to help with time management:

1. Prioritise. I think to myself: Is it essential I go to Coles today, when I have food in the house already, and have more important things that require my attention?
2. Take Breaks. Just because you sit at your desk for 12 hours a day doesn’t mean you’ll be more productive.  It’s important to get up, stretch your legs/arms, clear your mind, have lunch and reset.  Managing time isn’t about staying up later or waking up earlier.  It’s about realistically knowing what you can achieve in your day, whilst keeping a healthy, balanced life.
3. Say No. It’s OK to say NO.  I used to spend too much time with in-person meetings; now, feeling confident that I can run my business (for the most part) through online meetings, I simply say “No” when potential clients ask to meetup.  However, I must admit it is nice to get out and about and meetup over poached eggs and coffee from time to time –  actually applying a face of makeup and wearing an outfit that doesn’t consist of my comfy shorts.
4. Limit Distractions. I put my phone on silent.  I close my social media accounts (unless I am within my Social Media strategy time I have set myself). I have one email browser open and write one email at a time.  I close my office door. I work on one thing at a time. It’s also easy to procrastinate with tasks that don’t bring as much enjoyment as others, always putting them at the bottom of the list.  But think of all that time you are wasting thinking about completing the task; time that could have been spent doing it.
5. Small Chunks. BE realistic at what you can get done each day.  For example I don’t work many hours every second Wednesday because Quade and Maddox don’t go to Kindy/Day-care on this day. My To Do List this day is minimal.  Through growth I realised that my children are only little once in their lives and I need to enjoy this time with them and it’s important that they have my undivided attention at times.  If you have a big task to complete, being realistic is important. Breaking the project into smaller, more manageable chunks is the key.  For example, if you are writing copy for your website, instead of writing on your daily To Do list – “Write copy for website”, you would write on Monday’s To Do list – “Write Copy For Homepage”.  Then on Tuesday’s list you’d write – “Write Copy for About Us page”, and so on, spreading the big project across a period of a week.
6. Let Perfection Go. I understand you might like to do things perfectly, but realise what’s perfect to one person might not mean perfection to another. I’m not saying don’t do things properly – it’s imperative the dishes are washed properly. I’m also not saying don’t aim high. But if you are a perfectionist (you’ve likely recognised this trait within yourself by now), chances are you’re also always feeling disappointed or that you are failing. I used often to experience anxiety; I’d mop the floors only to have the kids spill their Milo the following morning. This alone would be enough to send me into an anxiety attack, yelling at my kids, feeling short of breath and breaking down crying. I thought to myself – this is no way to live. Pull yourself together Jade – they’re kids!  As much as I luv a clean, sparkling home, accidents happen! The floor can’t stay perfectly clean forever, just pull out some paper-towel and it will take three seconds to clean up. This change in mindset didn’t happen overnight, but it did happen, with the help of a Life Coach and Psychologist.
7. Delegate. You DON’T have to do everything yourself. Is it time your kids learnt how to make their own beds?  Does your husband help make dinner some nights a week? Can you afford a cleaner once a fortnight to help OR a Virtual Assistant, if you have a business? I used to be a control freak – goes hand in hand with being a perfectionist really.  Learning to ‘let go’ is an amazing feeling and now I live a more productive, less stressful life.  More ZEN!
8. Use a physical To Do List. I am a visual person so a daily To Do List is an important component for me, for time management. Rather than keeping a mental list I can write down everything that needs doing. It means I’m more organised and don’t have to stress out about potentially forgetting something important. Especially as business grows and I have more clients. It allows me to prioritise. 

However, I recently got sick and tired of making full A4 page To Do Lists (listing too many things each day) on pieces of random paper or in any notebook I could find lying around.  I went looking for the perfect To Do List Notepad, but couldn’t quite find one that resonated with me.  So – I created my own.  Woohoo!!! I’m super dooper proud. Take a look at the My Fabulously Savvy Day To Do List Pad, that I’m proud to say I have had printed and is now available for others to use.

This resource allows you to:

• Set your Top 3 important tasks for the day;
• List an additional 5 tasks to complete (because chances are any more would be unrealistic to achieve);
• Tick off tasks as you complete them;
• Note the time (actual time or just duration) to complete each task; and
• Reflect on how well your day went.

Part of managing time is reflecting on the day that’s gone and how long tasks took, including taking time to consider whether our expectations were realistic or we’re being too demanding of ourselves.  The My Fabulously Savvy Day To Do List Note Pad includes space for recording your thoughts upon reflection. Through reflection comes learning and growth.

But wait, there’s more… being a busy chick myself (as a mum, wife, small business owner, daughter, friend, individual who values exercise and more) I need a daily reminder to do things that make me feel good and keep me firing, healthy and happy.  And I figured you would too, so Healthy Habits are printed on my Notebook acting as a daily reminder to smile, laugh, stretch, get plenty of sleep, drink water and more.

These gorgeous note pads are hot property, so if you’d like one why don’t you include in your top 3 tasks for today: “Order My Fabulously Savvy Day Notebook from Jade” 😉

To order, simply click here – right here – right now!

Now, as Ryan Gosling said – Go Make Your Master Schedule…using this fab new resource.  Of course, I’d luv to hear how much more productive and happier you are once you start using your notebook.  Tag BE social. BE savvy or hashtag #mysavvyday – keep me posted! Keep smiling. Jade xx

P.S. A Bonus Tip: If I’m finding it hard to stay focused, I use a pretty egg timer to keep me on track.