Organise my Time Management

Effective time management is not about working harder. It's not about adding more workload to your ever increasing to do list. You can create better time management for you and your family by simply working smarter using the tips and techniques detailed below. Once you know these tips, you'll actually work less, but get more done. You'll also have all the time you need for what you REALLY want to do.

• Use one diary for everything - it will be so much easier to upkeep and if you use it for both work and family and you time then cosider colour coding entries.

• Use a diary that has times written for each day - so its easy to see where you and your family will be at any given time - It will also help you see where you have free time (if any!)

• Week to view diaries seem to work best for most people as its easy to glance at the week, and turning one page per week is easier to do than lots of pages for a page a day diary - but do what you feel most comfortable with, and look for a diary that has all the space you need for each day.

• Always try to ovrestimate how long things take, as you never know what will happen each day and what other things will be thrown your way. If you overestimate rather than underestimate you will get a lot of satisfaction from completing what you set out to do, rather than stress at trying to fit everything in

• Write TO DO lists - this will help you prioritise what needs to be done each day / week / month etc.. and you can transfer these into the relevant days of your diary. Keep these lists in your diary also so that you can keep everything together - it will become your hub of organisation!
  

• Make the most of your time (errands, run several at the same time to save getting in the car lots each day)

• Routines - they work! - babies work well on routine as they always know whats coming next - and this can be the same for you and your family. Days don't have to be the same but week on week if you stick to an overall routine then its easier to stick to a new plan. Some people find that having a day of the week to do certain things works well i.e. MONDAY - Cleaning, TUESDAY - Shopping, WEDNESDAY - Errands and Appointments (Dentist etc..), THURSDAY - Socialising time, FRIDAY - Cooking

•  You only have a set number of hours a day, so use them wisely and try to make some time for relaxing for you - or you will end up overloading and be no good for anyone

• Share jobs with members of the family - use everyones time wisely and ensure noone is overloaded

• Try and balance work, rest, play, keeping fit, family time, hobbies, and any other things that are important to you

• Always aim to be 10 minutes early for appointments - and allow time for traffic - If you are always early you will feel better in yourself and less stressed - and use this time wisely by taking a book in your bag that you have always meant to read, or writing a shopping list, or reading the paper - make the most of your day!