Manipulate Time With These Powerful 20 Time Management Tips
We all have 24-hours in a day. But, why does it seem that some people are able to get the most out of every minute of the day? Believe it or not, they don’t have the power to slow down time. They do, however, know how to properly manage their time.
When it comes to time management, the first step you need to take is finding out where your time actually goes. You may believe that you only send 30 minutes on emails, but in reality that task is eating-up an hour of your day.
The easiest way to keep track of your time is to download an app like RescueTime, Toggl or my app Calendar to track everything you do for a week. You can then access a report to find out what’s stealing your time. With this information, you can then make the appropriate adjustments.
Structure Your Free Time
According to researcher Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi in his book “Flow”, Sunday at noon is the “unhappiest hour in America” because that’s the time people are the least productive. According to his research, people are oddly more motivated and focused at work because of the structure work provides, and he recommends structuring your free time.
Csikszentmihalyi (pronounced CHEEK-sent-me-hi-ee, if you’re playing along at home) argues that when we don’t structure our time, we either spend it on pointless stuff, or just ruminate without much care or focus. Structuring your time—even your free time—is proven to make you more motivated, focused, and ultimately, happier, because it gives you a direction and a purpose.
It’s totally counterintuitive, but when you have a purpose behind your actions, you will feel much more productive and happier (even if that purpose is to do nothing for an hour or two!)
9. Cultivate instantaneous generosity
Whenever a generous impulse arises in your mind, give in to it right away rather than putting it off. Don’t wait to figure out if the recipient deserves your generosity or if you really have the time to be generous right now (with all of the work you have left to do!). Just do it. The rewards are immediate, too, because generous action reliably makes you feel much happier.
When it comes to the challenge of using your 4,000 weeks well, the capacity to do nothing is indispensable, because if you can’t bear the discomfort of not acting, you’re far more likely to make poor choices with your time, such as attempting to hurry activities that can’t be rushed or feeling you ought to spend every moment being “productive,” regardless of whether the tasks in question really matter.
Doing nothing means resisting the urge to manipulate your experience or the people and things in the world around you, and to let things be as they are. You can try the “do-nothing” meditation, where you set a timer for 5-10 minutes and then try doing nothing. If you catch yourself doing something — thinking, say, or even just focusing on your breath — gently let go of doing it.
As you keep letting go, you’ll increase your ability to do nothing and gradually regain your autonomy. You’ll no longer be so motivated by the attempt to evade how reality feels here and now; instead, you’ll learn to calm down and to make better choices with your brief allotment of life.
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Source:
https://www.forbes.com/sites/johnrampton/2018/05/01/manipulate-time-with-these-powerful-20-time-management-tips/?sh=3074d0b757ab
https://www.lifehack.org/articles/productivity/7-ways-make-better-use-your-time.html
https://ideas.ted.com/10-ways-to-get-the-most-out-of-your-time-on-this-planet/
7 Ways to Make the Most of Your Time
The seven best ways to save time now!
Isn’t it true that the world is spinning rapidly? Isn’t it speedy? There’s never enough time for anything. Therefore, it is critical to utilize time wisely since time is man’s most valuable asset. Here are some suggestions for making the most of your limited resources:
Getting things done can seem like a Herculean task sometimes, but it doesn’t have to be. One of the best ways to make headway on your to-do list is simply by listing the tasks you need to accomplish each day.
This helps you visualize better what needs to be done and can help you better allocate your time. But, of course, there will always be days when unexpected tasks come up or when one task takes longer than anticipated.
But by having a list to reference, you can at least try to stick to your schedule and make meaningful progress on your goals. So next time you’re feeling overwhelmed, take a deep breath and grab a pen and paper to make a list of everything that needs to get done.
Don’t be afraid to ask for help when you need it – there’s no shame in admitting that you can’t do everything alone!
It’s important to remember that we all need help from time to time. Life can be challenging, and there’s no shame in admitting that you can’t do everything alone. However, whether you’re struggling with your mental health, finances, or relationships, reaching out for help is a sign of strength, not weakness.
Plenty of people are ready and willing to lend a helping hand – all you have to do is ask. So don’t be afraid to reach out when you need it. You might be surprised at how much better you’ll feel once you get the support you need.
Implementing these time management tips may take a little effort initially, but it will be worth it in the end. If you’re struggling to stick to your routine or constantly feeling overwhelmed, consider joining our time management course.
This 8-week online course is designed to help participants develop healthy time management habits and learn how to plan and organize their time effectively. With a little bit of practice, you can get your workday under control and start enjoying more free time!
Structure Your Free Time
According to researcher Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi in his book “Flow”, Sunday at noon is the “unhappiest hour in America” because that’s the time people are the least productive. According to his research, people are oddly more motivated and focused at work because of the structure work provides, and he recommends structuring your free time.
Csikszentmihalyi (pronounced CHEEK-sent-me-hi-ee, if you’re playing along at home) argues that when we don’t structure our time, we either spend it on pointless stuff, or just ruminate without much care or focus. Structuring your time—even your free time—is proven to make you more motivated, focused, and ultimately, happier, because it gives you a direction and a purpose.
It’s totally counterintuitive, but when you have a purpose behind your actions, you will feel much more productive and happier (even if that purpose is to do nothing for an hour or two!)
Keep a Time Diary to See What You’re Doing Wrong
When you keep a time diary, it’s much easier to make changes to how you spend your time, because you can see, right in front of you, exactly what changes you need to make with how you spend your time. When I track my time, I keep it as simple as possible in order to reduce the mental friction I have to actually tracking my time. In front of me, throughout the course of a week, I keep a notepad that tracks: what I’m doing, when I start/stopped an activity, and any observations I have.
Apple is one of the largest and most successful companies in the world for one big reason: they make only four main product lines. Apple makes the iPod, iPhone, iPad, and the Mac (with software to support them), and that’s pretty much it. Apple is a $431 billion company that puts all of its weight behind four small product lines.
Taking a similar approach with your life is also incredibly powerful. When you do fewer things, you spread your time over less, and so you have much more of yourself to give to everything you do. I think one of the best ways to boost your focus, become a better person, and use your time better is to do less.
Question the elements of your life, and constantly ask yourself if you’re doing too much. Doing less may seem like a counterintuitive way to better use your time, but it boosts your focus and success because you can invest so much more of yourself into the things you want to do.
7. Host an event for other postgraduates
While writing is a solitary process, there’s no need to be lonely. Put those funding application skills to practice again and apply for some money to do something for your fellow postgraduates. Run a workshop that allows you to get skills training that is catered to your needs. Take the time to get to know your fellow postgraduates: they will be your peers, your friends, your support network and potential collaborators.
Here’s where you can bring everything together: learn how to cultivate your time management skills; translate your research into different spheres; develop blogs and websites; make key contacts inside and outside of academia; work with the public. If you aren’t planning on an academic career or just want to cover your back, honing these sorts of skills is invaluable.
9. Be interdisciplinary, go to other seminars in your university
Despite specialising in literature, I found it hugely valuable to attend the excellent modern Irish history and diaspora studies seminars at the University of Edinburgh. Interdisciplinary is a trendy buzz word, but venturing outside your subject area gives you new research angles and helps you make other contacts. If you have a gap in your research armour, ask if you can audit an appropriate master’s level course.
The only way to do this is through applying for things and getting rejected. Your PhD is a good time to do this, before the competition for jobs gets truly fierce. Let’s be honest, academia is a tough ride. After all, as Samuel Beckett said: “Ever tried. Ever failed. No matter. Try Again. Fail again. Fail better.”
Alison has recently submitted her PhD at the University of Edinburgh. In 2015 she will be a visiting fellow in American Studies at Northumbria University before taking up a postdoctoral position at University College Dublin funded by the Leverhulme trust – follow her on Twitter @notsecretgarden
Enter the Guardian university awards 2015 and join the Higher Education Network for more comment, analysis and job opportunities, direct to your inbox. Follow us on Twitter @gdnhighered.
Resource:
https://www.iienstitu.com/en/blog/7-ways-to-make-the-most-of-your-time
https://www.lifehack.org/articles/productivity/7-ways-make-better-use-your-time.html
https://www.theguardian.com/higher-education-network/2014/nov/25/10-ways-to-make-the-most-of-your-time-as-a-phd-student
7 Ways to Make the Most of Your Time
How to Make the Most of Your Time
Imagine for a second that you’re driving through a beautiful forest. Your stereo is blasting a new song, you’re talking to a friend in the passenger’s seat, and before you know it—whoosh—you passed right through the forest, and it was like you weren’t there at all.
Now imagine that instead of driving in a noisy car, you’re walking through the same forest. Summer is changing to fall, and as the leaves fall around you, you take in a deep breath of warm, October air.
Your walk is ten times more meaningful, because you slowed down. You were able to notice the sights, sounds, and smells around you, and what you were doing became much more meaningful. Slowing down brings meaning to how you spend your time, whether you’re walking through a forest, spending time with a loved one, playing an instrument, or even working on a report at work.
Structure Your Free Time
According to researcher Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi in his book “Flow”, Sunday at noon is the “unhappiest hour in America” because that’s the time people are the least productive. According to his research, people are oddly more motivated and focused at work because of the structure work provides, and he recommends structuring your free time.
Csikszentmihalyi (pronounced CHEEK-sent-me-hi-ee, if you’re playing along at home) argues that when we don’t structure our time, we either spend it on pointless stuff, or just ruminate without much care or focus. Structuring your time—even your free time—is proven to make you more motivated, focused, and ultimately, happier, because it gives you a direction and a purpose.
It’s totally counterintuitive, but when you have a purpose behind your actions, you will feel much more productive and happier (even if that purpose is to do nothing for an hour or two!)
1. Network and get online
Obviously the top tweeters will depend on your field, but good places to start are @jobsacuk, @thesiswhisperer, @WetheHumanities, @ANU_RSAT, @ThomsonPat, #ECRchat and #PhDchat on Twitter. Another fantastic resource for PhDs and early career researchers from any subject is Nadine Muller’s blog.
Now this one is obvious, but it pays to be strategic. There’s no point applying to go to five in one summer (or even worse, in your final year). You won’t get enough of your thesis written and you’ll be stressed all year.
Plan to work your way up: start with one or two postgraduate conferences in your first year and work from there. I find it works to balance big, important national and international ones in your subject with small, intimate ones where you’ll present to a room full of experts in your field who will give you better feedback, networking and publishing opportunities.
Don’t be afraid to put together a panel. Start with fellow postgraduates. At a later stage, get in touch with researchers who you respect in your field about putting together a panel. They can only say no (and most will be flattered to be asked). Enquire to see if the organisers have any bursaries or travel awards for postgraduates – and if they do, make sure you apply.
3. If you can, teach and get a Higher Education Academy accreditation for it
Try and get some teaching in your department. If it isn’t offered to PhDs, ask your supervisor if you can shadow them for a few classes. Try and lead one or two tutorials, or give a lecture. You could also ask neighbouring universities if they’re looking for someone to teach. (This is a good thing to do towards the end of the PhD when you’re looking for work). Attend training seminars hosted by your university. Try and get HEA accreditation at associate fellow level if you get some teaching experience.
It doesn’t have to be a massive, multi-panel, three-day affair. A simple day or half day, hosted with a fellow PhD or early career academic will suffice. You’ll get to meet people who share your passion for your subject and get in touch with academics whose work you really admire. Plus, you’ll probably have to apply for funding and this is excellent in itself (see below). It’ll also give you some handy administrative experience, which seems to keep cropping up on academic job adverts these days.
Resource:
https://www.lifehack.org/articles/productivity/7-ways-make-better-use-your-time.html
https://www.theguardian.com/higher-education-network/2014/nov/25/10-ways-to-make-the-most-of-your-time-as-a-phd-student