Where to start with time management

I got lost in a park… (as an adult I might add!).

I had set-up home temporarily in Glasgow whilst I completed a summer placement at a nearby pharmaceutical company, and had decided to join my then boyfriend (now ex-husband!) on a run that evening. 

We started off well, but after a while he sped off. By the time I crested the hill and got to the bottom he was nowhere to be seen. 

The path in front of me forked into three… and there was no sign of said boyfriend.

So I did what I was taught as a little kid… I stayed put. I assumed he'd come back for me.

And I waited, and waited… but he didn't return. 

Realising I was on my own, I managed to get myself to the edge of the park, and back to the main road. I then made my way around the perimeter of the park and eventually found him.

Are you feeling lost with time management?

I got asked in my Instagram DMs this week about where to start when you've got loads on your plate, you're feeling a bit lost and are already behind in your work.

Awareness is critical

I think the first place to start is awareness. You've already recognised that something needs to change.

No-one is coming to save you (whether your lost in a park or otherwise!).

It's also beneficial to think about the language you're using, and bring some awareness to this also. I've written before about the power of our words (let me know if you'd like some more resources on this, you’ll find me on Instagram @sarahstewart.co.uk), it's not going to be helpful to beat yourself up… you were doing the best you could with the knowledge that you had at the time.

I’m an advocate of a to-do list

I think the next logical step is to then get onto paper everything that you need to get accomplished. Your brain is a terrible place to keep lists. I'm an advocate of a to-do list. 

Having a list alone will not help you get stuff done… you need to then schedule the time to do the things in your calendar… but we're perhaps getting ahead of ourselves!

So get a notepad or a piece of paper, and write out everything that you're holding in your brain. Collect all your post-it notes of ‘to do’s' that are dotted about your office. Collate the random bits of paper from the kitchen and the hallway console, and get all your tasks into the one place.

(It's a bit like if you're on a journey with money and overcoming debt… it's helpful to get some visibility on all the debt that you've got - collect your statements, get a list of who you owe and how much.)

And once you have clarity over exactly what needs done, you can start to think about creating a plan of action.

Would you like help with your time management? 

If you'd like help with getting started on your time management journey, I've currently got space for 1-to-1 clients. Find out more here.