Regardless of the modern age, people have been multi-tasking for a very long time. Multi-tasking is a form or juggling, whether you are an experienced entrepreneur, a beginner or even an elderly grandmother, more than likely, you do some form of juggling tasks.
Mothers are actually some of the oldest known and most experienced when it comes to multi-tasking. Mothers are experienced in doing more than one thing at a time, which is the essence of multi-tasking. If you do not believe it, you may need to take a closer look at some mothers and the things they manage to do throughout their day.
For instance, a mother can fix a wonderful dinner and have it ready just in time to eat, while she takes care of however many children she may have as well as any other children in the neighborhood that seem to drop in and out of the house while her children are home. Some mothers are known for the ability to nurse a baby while typing with one hand to meet a deadline as well as watching the news to keep up with current affairs and any pending bad weather conditions, while she is fixing a meal for others. Then again, a mother may be able to fix a dinner, clean house including the dishes and the laundry, taking random phone calls or making essential calls to others and finish her day off looking beautiful and smelling wonderful when she meets her favorite fellow at the door when he comes in from work.
How it is that, some mothers seem to be some of the most talented in multi-tasking?
The answer to this question is that of mothers who have learned or actively follows her natural instincts in the art of time management.
Time Management Tips
- Organize Your Work Area
When you organize your work area, you are more likely to do work that is more efficient since you are not distracted by clutter. When your work area is clean and organized you, will not feel as much stress or tension since the area is organized and clean. No matter where your work area is, you can organize it in various ways. For instance, having an area designated for files, books, software and other essentials will aid you in being productive in your work, since you can find what you need when you need it. It is essential however, that you do take the time to put anything you may remove and use, back in its place for future use.
- Set your Goals
When you take the time to set your goals, you can accomplish much more than you can if not. Your daily goals may be small and manageable, if they are not then you should consider breaking a large goal down into smaller goals to be able to achieve those goals.
- Managing Yourself
When you are trying to multi-task it is wise to manage yourself, by this, I mean that you should only take on as much that is comfortable to you without the risk of becoming overwhelmed by the number of things you plan to do in one day. Remember, even if you are great at multi-tasking, you are after all just one person, there is only so many hours in a day and you can only accomplish so much without overwhelming yourself into a stress headache, sick stomach and general nervousness. Be kind to yourself, as you multi-task. However, granted this is much easier to think and say than to do. Nevertheless, you should try!
- Delegate Responsibilities to Others
Since you are only one person and there are only so many hours in the day that you can use resourcefully, you need to consider delegating responsibilities to others who have the ability to do some of the tasks that you normally do. For instance, older children and teenagers can help with the laundry, dishes and simple general housekeeping duties, when you take the time to teach them how to do such tasks. Some of them can even help with the cooking duties if they know how. Of course, you should be already know that someone may not do something exactly the way you will, however, enlisting the help of others can get more done in a days time than not.
- Set Time Limits
When you take the time to set time limits you will find that you can get more done in the long run for the various things you are trying to juggle throughout your day. However, you should not necessarily sit on a clock all day, since watching the time can be distracting and a waste of time in the long run. Setting an alarm or a timer may work well for you, if you are one of those types of individuals who have no true sense of time.
- Make a To Do List
Making a to do list is one of the best measures for managing your time and working through the things you need to do. I am a big to do list maker and I find it very helpful for multi-tasking and achieving my daily goals. You may want to write up a master to do list with various sections of the different things you need to do during your day. To do lists may vary from shopping and grocery lists to lists that involve housekeeping, your online business, childcare and many other issues. When you have a to do list in hand you will always know the next thing you need to attend to while multi-tasking. Having a to do list can also assist you in measuring your progress. You can do this by simply drawing a line or placing a check mark by those things on your to do list that you have completed. This is something that can also offer you a sense of satisfaction for completing the various items on your multi-tasking to do list.
- Be Flexible
Being flexible with the various issues you need to attend to while multi-tasking is essential. It can help you get more done than you anticipated. It can help you when you unexpectedly find that you need to change your priorities of what you plan to do and when you do it. Be willing to change your daily habits if and when the time comes for such a change.
- Limit Distractions
When you are able to limit distractions, you will find you are better able to manage your time. For instance, while you are multi-tasking, you will be able to accomplish more by limiting distractions such as answering unnecessary phone calls; you may want to consider the use of an answering machine or a caller id so you can get back in touch with others later when you have more time to spare. Some individuals may consider reducing time spent to do other things online while they are working online, such as checking email or visiting their social networks while working. For some, this may be the thing to do, however, personally, I will tell you that I do check email and occasionally visit my social networks if it fits in with my schedule, while working online and it does work well as far as time management goes.
I also work on either two or three different sites while working in a day’s time. However, some days I do focus on one at a time on different days to increase my odds of income while working at home with my computer. It does not distract me or slow me down and I get many things done that I have planned to do and that makes me smile with satisfaction.
- Learn when to say No
Many times, we get so use to doing so much at one time that we may find ourselves overwhelmed with the duties on our multi-tasking to do list. It is essential to know that there are times when you will have to put on the brakes and just say no. Anytime you are asked or intend to add something new to your list of things to do, you need to determine whether you can fit something else in comfortably or if there is just no way to fit in just one more thing. Learning to say no can be very helpful for setting your limits concerning distractions and you do have permission to say no, when it does not suit your routine or sense of accomplishing all those other things you try to juggle on a daily basis.
These are of course, just a few time management tips to consider while you are in the multi-task mode. They should be able to help you reach your goals of multi-tasking and time management.
Last but not in the least of this list is that of knowing when you need to take a break from your schedule. It is essential that you do take the time to rest when you need too, since resting is refreshing to your mind, body and soul regardless of what you may have on a to do list. Remember that you have to take care of you before you can efficiently take care of others and any task you may face.
© 2009 Sara Valor
