Life

Wellbeing: Four time-management tips for working smarter, not harder

Compartmentalising your time allows you to turn your computer off, so you can shift your focus, fully – without giving the previous activity a second glance
Compartmentalising your time allows you to turn your computer off, so you can shift your focus, fully – without giving the previous activity a second glance Compartmentalising your time allows you to turn your computer off, so you can shift your focus, fully – without giving the previous activity a second glance

BUSINESS consultant Carina Lawson (carinalawson.com) offers some simple time management tips for getting the most out of life.

1. Make space:

“Being away, even for a little while, can give you a fresh perspective, allow you to rest, and come back refreshed to better serve your family, friends, and work.

“In your everyday, this could mean scheduling your Zoom meetings in blocks of time that give you some breathing room in between, so you can take a break, refocus, and bring your best energy to the next appointment. Not every minute of your every day needs to be planned.”

2. Call it like it is:

“Your work is not just your 9-5, but the place where you get to practise the skills for which you were trained. Your business is not just a side hustle, it’s where you get to unleash your creativity.

“Changing the way we refer to the different parts of our lives makes us pay attention more closely to the important roles we are lucky to have. By changing the way you refer these things, you are giving each part the respect that it deserves.”

3. Make realistic commitments:

“Sure, we’d love to get everything done in a day. However, it is often not realistic. The opportunity cost of working on your business every day, for four hours a day, may be that you exercise less, spend less time with your family, or have less time to yourself.”

The same could be true for any creative projects you might want to start – decorating the house, making curtains or even just having a good clear out – all these things take time.

“Instead, working on the right things with no distractions, may allow you more time to spend with the people you love, or pursue something that gives you pleasure.”

4. Compartmentalise your time like a pro:

In order to give each aspect of your life the attention and care it deserves, you need to give it undivided attention with professional precision.

“When you’re at work, pause your business inbox on your phone, so you’re not constantly receiving notifications. You can also effectively use time-blocking, creating a habit of only checking your emails at specified intervals.”

Focusing on one thing at a time, whether that’s work, a side business, family time or doing something for yourself, is often the answer to achieving more.