4 Tips to Get the Most Use from a Limited Resource — Time

You’ve probably heard that old proverb about time before — it can’t be bought, only spent. But don’t let this get you worrying about how limited a resource your time is. You have to be wise about how you spend it, but it’s not as demanding as you’d think. Time is what you make of it; it can work for you when you use it efficiently.

Keep reading for tips and tricks on effectively using your time and getting more out of it.

1. Use a Calendar

If you’re not already using a calendar to schedule your everyday life, it’s probably time to jump on the bandwagon. This is one of the easiest resources to utilize and maintain, and it’s potentially one of the cheapest, whether a paper or online calendar app; keeping a schedule is in your best interest for several reasons.

Without a schedule, you’re more likely to forget tasks you need to do or when you need them done. Entering all your deadlines, appointments, or meetings in one calendar can help you visualize what needs to be done. You can also effectively prioritize these tasks based on their due date, which will be right before you.

You can also take your calendar to the next level by scheduling your daily tasks. When you start work for the day, survey everything you need to finish by the time you sign off. Then, you can create a daily schedule based on each task that needs to be completed. Just make sure you include breaks, so you have time to breathe in between.

Calendars can also help keep you on task during your limited amounts of time through notification reminders. When you set up an event on your calendar app, you can set a reminder at a specific time. A notification will pop up on your phone or computer that lets you know your deadline or meeting, for example, is coming up soon. Therefore, your calendar can be an effective tool for your life, regardless of whether you use it for work, school, or personal scheduling.

2. Prioritize Specific Tasks

Another way to maximize your time? Start prioritizing specific tasks, whether by importance or deadline. The way your workflow goes will determine how you might decide this.

By Importance

If you have a big project coming up, it’s a good idea to prioritize working on it above other smaller projects. Few things are more stressful in life than having to rush to complete a big assignment in a limited amount of time. When you set your work priorities based on which tasks are most important, you can eliminate this situation.

And this doesn’t mean you should put off or ignore the smaller tasks in between. Instead, you’ll need to structure your workflow to allow for pauses during the big projects to work on the little ones. For example, if you have a minor assignment due tomorrow, make sure you take a break from working on the big project today. Finish the smaller one; then, you can get back to the more critical task. It’s all about keeping a balance based on significance.

This way of tackling your assignments in a limited time can also give you a sense of more variety. Instead of working on one project at a time, you can switch around with as many as you’d like. This is especially great for people who can get bored easily.

By Deadline

This workflow might work better if you like to start and finish the same project without anything else in between. This is especially true if most of your assignments are generally the same size or importance.

Structure your workday based on what needs to be completed first. For example, work on what’s due first if you have a task due every day this week. This probably seems pretty straightforward, and it is when you schedule your time wisely.

This method usually shakes its head at skipping around on assignments unless you finish early or really need some variety. Just ensure you keep referring back to your schedule so you don’t forget the order of what’s due.

3. Block Time for Focus

Time blocking is one of the most effective ways to get the most out of your busy workday. This technique somewhat involves scheduling your day in advance, though not as thoroughly as others might require (see #4).

To block time for maximum productivity, you only need to set aside a specific time during the day for focused work. You’ll use this hour to zone in on your project without being distracted. Essentially, you’ll be forcing yourself to stay on task for a predetermined amount of time. Make sure to stay self-disciplined and keep as focused as possible during this blocked time of your day.

Additionally, something about setting a timer and requiring yourself to work hard within those constraints can be motivating. Tell yourself you must finish this task or a specific step within a project within this focus time. You’ll learn how to use less time to complete your work more quickly.

4. Use Time-Friendly Work Techniques

Like time blocking, you can use many other techniques to make your workday more efficient. However, these can take structuring your day…