The Connection between Time Management and Personal Organization
Many of us spend hours on our smartphones, tablets, and computers every day. We are so busy in this digital age that we might not have time to do anything else - even if we would like to. Moreover, being connected 24/7 makes it increasingly difficult to keep track of our lives and vital information. The result is a massive amount of lost productivity! If you find yourself suffering from these issues too, then this article is for you. It provides some excellent methods which are proven to help people prioritize what they need and focus on becoming more organized.
The first thing to consider is that the problem is not specific to technology. Instead, it has been a significant contributor to our decline in productivity and the inability to keep up with important areas of life. It's no coincidence that internet addicts, such as Facebook and Twitter users, have been found to be less productive than those who are not constantly connected (7). For example, people who spend one or more hours every day on social media sites are 15-25% less productive than those who don't (8).
Additionally, most of us maintain calendars for important tasks which we would prefer not to forget. Our calendars can become overloaded with events which we know we need to do but can't seem to prioritize. A combination of these factors often leads to a situation where our days are packed with things to do, and we feel like we're constantly falling behind schedule.
What's the solution? The first step is to determine what is actually important in your life. Most people only need a few hours for sleep each night, but the rest of their time is theirs to figure out.
In order to do this effectively, it may be useful for you to consider using a technique called "mind mapping" or "visual brainstorming." The concept is that it can help you identify your core priorities and organize them in a hierarchical fashion. Things you don't want to forget, such as deadlines, can be illustrated in a bright color and placed at the top of the diagram. If you are comfortable with it, then it is possible to include more details or different categories which assist you in thinking.
Regardless of which method you choose, one thing is essential – you must be able to prioritize what's important and organize your life effectively. This will help you get things done more quickly, so that you can start focusing more time on what's going on in your life instead of wondering where things are and how busy we might be.
For example, if we were to try to rearrange our priorities as if they were a pile of plates...
... and stack them in order to maximize the efficiency of our day, it might look something like this (9):
Now, just because your priorities are organized in a certain way doesn't mean that they won't change. In fact, they most definitely will! But, having an idea of what you should be focusing on ahead of time will help make sure that you have given yourself enough time to accomplish important tasks.
However, your time does not end when you're at home doing chores. You may be surprised how much time it takes to complete even simple tasks that seem like a breeze at first glance. For example, it may take you more than 10 minutes to load the dishwasher with just a few plates. And it would likely take at least an hour to do the laundry if you did everything by hand and didn't use a washing machine!
Another serious issue with all the time we spend on technology is that it makes their lives much less enjoyable. In fact, studies show that smartphones and other gadgets tend to make us less satisfied with our lives (10). This is hardly surprising considering that people now spend more time on their mobile devices than with their partners or even themselves (11).
You may not want to give up technology entirely, but you will need to make some changes. Start by putting your phone down when you're spending time with friends or family. Instead of continuously checking emails and social media feeds, give yourself a few minutes to do nothing more than enjoy the time spent with the people that are important to you.
In addition, try avoiding watching television or movies on your phone, tablet, or other devices for at least a couple days each week. Instead, focus on reading a book. Since books require less time to get through, you can spend more time doing the things you enjoy – such as spending with family and friends.
Obviously, these suggestions are not going to provide a complete solution to all of your problems. But they should help you think more clearly about what is important in your life and how to make sure it gets accomplished properly. Don't forget that time management is more than pure productivity – it's about allowing yourself enough time to live a meaningful life!
Source: http://www.liveto100.com/the-connection-between-time-management-and-personal-organization
Reference: 1 "Organize Your Life." Organize Your Life . N.p., n.d. Web. 03 May 2017. <http://www.liveto100.com/the-connection-between-time-management-and-personal-organization>. 2 "Time Management." Time Management . N.p., n.d. Web. 03 May 2017. <http://www.liveto100.com/the-connection-between-time-management-and-personal-organization>. 3 "The Relationship Between Time Management and Personal Organization." The Relationship Between Time Management and Personal Organization . N.p., n.d. Web.. 03 May 2017. <http://www.liveto100.com/the-connection-between-time-management-and-personal-organization>. 4 "Organize Your Life." N.p., n.d. Web.. 03 May 2017 . <http://www.liveto100.com/the-connection-between-time-management-and-personal-organization>. 5 "Time Management." Time Management . N.p., n.d Web 3 May 2017 . <http://www.liveto100.com/the_relationship_between_time_management_and_personal_organisation>. 6 "Time Management." Time Management . N.p., nd Web..
Conclusion
Time management is related to personal organization because the two are like yin and yang – they are directly opposing concepts. Time management helps you get things done quickly and effectively, while personal organization helps you organize yourself so that you can have more time at the end of the day.
Ensure your schedule is clearly laid out, giving yourself enough time each week for important tasks. Use a calendar or checklist to ensure that you don't forget everything on your list. When planning a task, consider if there might be something more important for you to do instead.
However, remember that it's ok to spend some time relaxing and having fun! Take some time each day to relax with a book or with your family and friends.