I am blogging on behalf of Ingo Money and received compensation for my time from Ingo Money for sharing my views in this post, but the views expressed here are solely mine, not Ingo’s. Learn more about the Ingo Money mobile app at https://www.IngoMoney.com, or connect with the Ingo community at https://www.facebook.com/ingomoney.
My husband loves to quote Benjamin Franklin, and one of his favorite Ben Franklin quotes is, “Do you love life? Then do not squander time, for that’s the stuff that life is made of.”
We all know that there are 24 hours in each day – no more, no less. But I’m guessing that each of us have wished at some time in our lives for an extra hour in the day. Oh, what we could accomplish with just a little more time!
I try to remind myself whenever I sit down to evaluate the effectiveness of my time management that there is more to do than anyone could accomplish in a day. It is important to not get discouraged about the things on my to-do list that don’t get checked off. It is also critical to remember that not all tasks are equally weighted. Some tasks are simply more important than others.
While I don’t profess to be an expert at time management, I do have some tips to share. We’ll consider this as much of a personal reminder for myself as it is a resource for the rest of you!
Time Management Tips – How to Make the Most of Your Time
1 – Make a to-do list – my first tip is to make a written to-do list. A day without a list of tasks that need to be accomplished is a day without direction.
I am reminded of the quote from Alice in Wonderland:
“One day Alice came to a fork in the road and saw a Cheshire cat in a tree. Which road do I take? she asked. Where do you want to go? was his response. I don’t know, Alice answered. Then, said the cat, it doesn’t matter.”
To make sure that I’m focusing my time on the most important things that I need to get done each day and each week, I start with a list. My list is constantly changing as tasks are completed and needs change. My to-do list not only gives me direction, but it helps me to know where I should be spending my time. It also gives me a great sense of accomplishment to see things getting done!
2 – Tackle the most important things first – Prioritize your to-do list and start working on the most important and/or time-sensitive items first. I know that the big tasks tend to feel like weights on my shoulders until they are done, making it harder for me to be productive on the smaller, easier tasks I often try to slip in first. When I accomplish the important things first, that weight is lifted, and I start the rest of my tasks with a sense of accomplishment and a clear mind.
3 – Don’t multi-task – I used to view multi-tasking as a valuable skill to have. Who doesn’t want to be seen as someone who can juggle a dozen things at once, gracefully? Sadly, attempting to multi-task has killed many hours of productivity for me. When I want to truly manage my time well and get the most accomplished in the limited time that I have, I have to turn or tune everything else out and FOCUS. Example? I haven’t checked Facebook or email since I started writing this article. Not only do small distractions take time away from the task at hand, but all of those distractions, while they might be important in their own right (and, no, Facebook, I am NOT talking about you), make it more difficult to get back into the groove of whatever I was trying to do.
4 – Learn to say no – I have a tendency to want to please and so I say yes to things much too often. It is important to place enough value on my own time and the items on my to-do list that I don’t ruin my chances for success by taking on too many responsibilities. Be reasonable and realistic with what you agree to do.
5 – Take a break – Yes, taking a break or two in the middle of your day will actually help boost your productivity. A good time manager knows that not every minute of every day can be spent going forward at full speed. A few minutes of rest and relaxation (and maybe a reward here and there!) will help you avoid burn out (that state where nothing gets accomplished!) and manage your time for the rest of the day.
Introducing the Ingo Money App
Ingo Money is a mobile app that lets you load funds from checks to a participating Prepaid card – and it is the next greatest tool for time management for busy women like you and me. I know that I am not a fan of running to the bank (a sure productivity killer) and I love the convenience of shopping with a Prepaid card.
Using Ingo Money is easy. Once you’ve enrolled a participating Prepaid card, just take a picture of your check with your smartphone and send it to Ingo Money. If you’d like your funds within minutes, you just pay a small 1% or 4% fee depending on the check type (with a $5 minimum). If you don’t need funds right away, you can wait 10 days and your funds will be loaded onto your card for free (provided the check does not return unpaid, of course). To learn more about Ingo Money, please visit: https://ingomoney.com
Ingo Money in Minutes Instant Win Game
To show just how easy it is to use the Ingo Money mobile app, Ingo has created the Ingo Money in Minutes instant win game on Facebook. Every day from now through 2/11, you can have the chance to win one of four $20 e-gift cards just by answering what you’d be doing and where you’d be with all the time you’d save using the Ingo Money app.
Bonus – every time you play the game or someone plays through your share link from the game, you’ll receive a sweepstakes entry for a chance to win the grand prize of $500 towards the smartphone of your choice. To play the Ingo Money in Minutes game, visit: https://www.facebook.com/ingomoney/app_568471623239261
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Great tips I agree 100% lists are imperative if I want to accomplish anything.
I am a big list maker. I start my week with a new to do list and always feel better when I can reference my list and prioritize my tasks. Yesterday for instance, I did nothing online until almost 3pm so I could concentrate on home projects.
I can totally resonate with #4. I am a people pleaser by heart and will take on a lot more than I should simply because I want people to like me.
Thanks for these tips. They are truly helpful
I always think if I go, go, go I will get the most done. But, sometimes I really am more productive after a break. Thanks for the permission! :)
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