One of the most difficult aspects of this pandemic is managing one's time. A lot is happening right now, and it's causing us to be distracted with what to do and when. While prioritizing in the midst of a pandemic may be difficult, it will go a long way toward calming our minds and bodies. Even if it takes some time to improve your time management skills, remember that it will surely result in progress. Keep your mind off your worries and doubts. Step by step, you'll get there. If others can manage their time well, you can too!
Understanding time management skills is vital in making decisions about what to accomplish and when to do it. Time management requires focus to work efficiently. The key to effective time management is taking action at the appropriate time. Many of the present barriers to productivity might be tied to ineffective time management. However, unpleasant situations emerging from the COVID-19 pandemic are currently the cause of our time management problems. Balancing work and studying from home involves increased time management while adapting to unusual circumstances.
Students and professionals who are new to online surroundings may find it challenging to adjust to this setup. School and business shutdowns connected to the COVID-19 outbreak require the utilization of the virtual setting. These days are so tiresome, leading to positive progress being lost. When studying and working from home, you are more likely to encounter distractions that affect your performance.
6 Tips to Help You Manage Your Time
1. Schedule and plan your tasks.
Having a schedule will ensure that you are well-managed in working and studying from home. A practical and creative technique might be utilized to help productivity and complete targets faster. By simply taking down notes of your agendas for the week in your planner or in your laptop might help you get things done efficiently. Personally, I post a note of my agendas in front of my working area where I can see it most often to remind me of the things I should be prioritizing.
2. Prioritize and stay focused.
Prioritizing gives you a starting point and pushes you to action. Prioritize your planning so that you can utilize it during the day. Avoid multitasking, as it has been shown to have a detrimental effect on overall productivity. Look into your schedule and set what to do first. In my case, I do the activity with the nearest deadline to make sure I still pass it ahead of time. You can also try to do the easiest work to the hardest, it depends on you!
3. Establish a space for work.
Managing your time productively depends mainly on the workplace environment. Establishing a workspace in your home can indicate your professional and academic life from your personal life. Completing tasks in a productive environment results in being more efficient and successful. Make sure to study and do your tasks where you feel comfortable and productive because it greatly affects what you are doing.
4. Reward yourself with small breaks regularly.
Even the most uncomplicated activity might be tough to focus on if you don't give it a rest for a moment. If you want to remain motivated, take short breaks throughout the day. It is critical to reward oneself for a sense of accomplishment to stay energized. Remember, breaks are essential!
5. Block out distractions and minimize unnecessary web tabs.
We all deal with distractions nowadays, no matter where we are. The minute a social media notification goes out, we are drawn in to check it out and see what's new. The Pomodoro Technique may help you stay focused if you find yourself having a hard time with time management. This technique assists in productivity by providing greater efficiency on your overall performance.
The 5 Steps of the Pomodoro Cycle:
Select your assignment/task to complete
Setup a timer for 25 minutes
Continue working until the timer sounds
Give yourself a five-minute rest
Take longer (15–30 minutes) rests after every four Pomodoro cycles
6. Prioritize your mental health.
At present, an essential thing you can do is to look after your physical and mental health. The ongoing pandemic has worsened the situation, causing many people to become emotionally unstable. Keeping in touch with friends and family, getting enough exercise, and taking some time to relax are all great methods for taking care of your mental health. Keep in mind that in order to be productive, one must have a good and positive mindset!
Implementing a systematic plan is the most efficient way to manage your time when working and studying online. Keeping on track might be assisted by utilizing the information provided earlier. Following these time management tips would result in increased productivity. A quote from William Penn says, "Time is what we want most, but what we spend worst." Remember to set your priorities, make the right choices, plan, and be productive. When you ever think of giving up, always remember why you started. You can do it!
Reference:
Mandal, A. (2020, May). The Pomodoro Technique: An Effective Time Management Tool. Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development. https://science.nichd.nih.gov/confluence/display/newsletter/2020/05/07/The+Pomodoro+T echnique%3A+An+Effective+Time+Management+Tool.