I don’t know about all of you, but so far, my 2023 has been crazy. With so much going on, it’s easy to get a bit overwhelmed when looking at your to-do list or schedule. But, don’t worry – there are some things you can do to help you stay sane. Recently, we had a professional development with Allyns Melendez, CEO & Founder of HR Transformed, to talk all things time management and organization; and, with my busy schedule lately, this could not have come at a better time. Here are a few things I already implemented into my daily routine that I’ve found to be extremely helpful, along with some hacks I recently added.
- Time Blocking. Huuuuuge fan of this one. For those of you who don’t know, time blocking is when you schedule time in your calendar to complete a task, and treat it just like a real calendar invite – no interruptions, double blocking, etc. I’ve found this extremely helpful, especially when you have a big to-do to check off your list.
- Email Snoozing. If any of my clients are reading this blog… no, I don’t use this tool for you! Email snoozing is great for other emails you want to read or save for later, though – maybe a timely news alert/article, or a non-urgent request from a colleague. Snooze, then voila – your email will reenter your inbox at the time of your choosing.
- Minimize Distractions. Sometimes we forget how distracting other people or things can really be, but it’s important to look around and see what distractions you can eliminate. I even have a special Do Not Disturb setting for my phone and computer specifically for work hours, so I limit the amount of unnecessary notifications I receive – reducing distractions throughout my day.
- Create the Ideal To-Do List. We all have things we need to get done – however, how we track those to-do’s may differ. My personal system consists of handwritten notes/lists, an online to-do list that I update daily, and a notes app to jot down quick reminders and thoughts. I also have calendar alerts set up for reminders and tasks. It may take some time, but find the system that works best for you.
- Take a Break. I know, I know – I’m one to talk. BUT, taking breaks is actually so important when considering producibility (and overall sanity). Maybe it’s a short 5-10 minute break as you complete certain tasks… maybe it’s a 30 minute walk outside in the afternoon… whatever it is, make sure to hold yourself accountable and take breaks daily. Your future self will thank you.
