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Effective Time Management For Busy Guys
by MindJournal - 6 min read
American business mogul Warren Buffett once said that "the difference between successful people and very successful people is that very successful people say 'no' to almost everything." Which is all well and good and clearly works – Buffett is one of the richest men in the world, after all.
But does Buffett have to juggle career, family, fitness, a social life, and personal pursuits? These days, managing your time is an art. Instead of a hindrance, think of it as a skill to be mastered, another string to add to your bow to help you optimise your time and achieve a fulfilling life.
To help you prioritise the things that matter most without sacrificing productivity, this is our guide to mastering effective time management, featuring expert advice and practical strategies for staying one step ahead, now and always.
Focus On Feelings
“As men, we rarely take time to define ourselves by how we feel or how happy we are,” says HR expert David Rice. “Instead of focusing on what we can acquire, create or influence, for anything non-essential, rethink your priorities and boundaries based on what brings you the most happiness.”
Set Clear Goals
Most people have a pretty good idea of what they want. But not everyone takes the time to create a plan for success. Start by setting SMART goals that are specific, measurable, attainable, relevant, and time-bound. Having a well-defined purpose provides you with a roadmap, helping you prioritise tasks and allocate your time effectively.
And that doesn't just apply to your work life. A study from the Journal of Happiness Studies found that people who plan their leisure time have a happier life overall. Planning allows them to maximise their family and free time, leading to increased fulfilment in their work life.
Schedule Priority Tasks
"Schedule your urgent priorities to be done by 10 a.m. The minor tasks can wait for later," says mindset coach Moses Nalocca. When we kickstart our day with a win, it motivates us to face whatever comes our way. It's like a secret weapon, boosting our confidence and helping us stay calm no matter how busy things get.
Delegate
“We can't be perfect, and it is smart to ask for help,” says Rice. “Men feel we should have all the solutions on our own, which leaves us feeling overwhelmed. It’s OK to admit the perfect schedule doesn’t exist, we don’t have all the answers, and we often have a great team around us – at home or in the office – to pick up some of the slack.”
Time Yourself
“It’s important to have a loose idea of how much time you want to devote to each pursuit,” says business coach Steve Jefferys. “Use different colours to create clear points of distinction in your planner (work might be red, hobbies, green, for example). This provides a clear visual cue for when it’s time to switch between activities, helping you find a better sense of balance.”
Manage Distractions
Distractions are the arch-nemesis of effective time management. Silence non-essential notifications, set up a distraction-free workspace, and let your colleagues and family know when you're in your zone. By managing distractions, you'll enhance focus, speed up tasks and boost efficiency.
Reflect And Adjust
If you're struggling to meet all your commitments, it's worth pausing to consider what you could scale back or cut entirely. "Regularly reassessing and realigning your goals ensures that you remain on a path that still resonates with your current phase of life," says business coach Bayu Prihandito.
Reward Yourself
Science says so. In a study titled 'Holding the Hunger Games Hostage at the Gym', researchers examined the effectiveness of 'temptation bundling'— a technique that uses rewards or things that instantly make you happy to find the motivation to tackle the stuff you really don't want to do. You know, those tasks that bring long-term benefits but can be a slog to get done. And they found that the greater the reward, the greater the participation.
Apply this to your own life by setting a window of time to complete your most unpleasant task. If you make it, you’ve earned a fancy coffee from your local cafe.
Remember, effective time management is vital for both work and well-being. Professionally, it boosts productivity, meets deadlines, and reduces stress. Personally, it encourages balance, ensuring that the most important things in life always get the time and attention they deserve.
