Instead of saying “I don’t have time” try saying “It’s not a priority” and see how that feels.

-Laura Vanderkam

#1 Use the “Eisenhower Matrix”

Have you ever found yourself constantly reacting to urgent tasks rather than focusing on what’s truly important? If so, then the Eisenhower Matrix might be just what you need. It was developed by former U.S. President Dwight D. Eisenhower, a real stickler for organisation and time management.

The basic idea is to classify your tasks into four quadrants based on their level of urgency and importance. By doing this, you’ll be able to see at a glance which tasks you need to tackle first, and which ones can wait or be delegated to someone else. This can help you prioritize your tasks and focus on the most important ones first.

#2 Leverage the “Zeigarnik Effect”:

The Zeigarnik Effect is a psychological phenomenon which states that people are more likely to remember incomplete tasks than completed ones. To leverage this effect, try leaving tasks unfinished at the end of the day. This will create a “mental pressure” to finish the task, which can help you get it done more efficiently the next day.

#3. Replace Context Switching with Time-Blocking.

One lesser-known time management tip is the “time blocking” method. This involves setting aside specific blocks of time for specific tasks or activities, rather than trying to multitask or constantly switching between different tasks.

For example, you might set aside the first two hours of your day for answering emails, the next three hours for working on a specific project, and the final hour for exercise or self-care. By breaking your day into blocks of time and focusing on one task at a time, you can increase your productivity and avoid the mental fatigue that can come with constantly switching between tasks, or ‘context switching’.

#4  80/20 All The Way

Implement the “Pareto Principle: The Pareto Principle, also known as the “80/20 rule,” states that 80% of your results come from 20% of your efforts. To implement this principle in your time management, focus on the tasks that will have the biggest impact and leave the less important tasks for later. If you want more information, i’ve written an entire post about it here.

#5 Bonus Tip: Make Coffee Before Morning Shower

I’ll admit this one is a bit rogue. I came up with the idea in Lockdown while working on the whole morning routine thing. I realised that whilst starting my day with an early shower was ideal for many reasons, I took longer than I probably should in there.

One day I happened to make my coffee before the shower, then stepped into the bathroom and forgot all about it. Not only did a chunk of the day disappear, when i finally arrived at my desk I was greeted by the ungainly sight, smell and taste of Kenco gone cold. This made me realise I could kill 2 birds with 1 stone by intentionally making coffee before my shower, such that I would have an incentive to  be quick about it. And I haven’t looked back since.

Cold shower. Hot coffee. Good morning.