I've mentioned how to organize your bedroom, your purse, and your makeup (view the Organization collection linked below to see those!) but here's a set to give some tips on how to organize your time. While less tangible, we all know how important it is. How many times have you run out of time to complete an assignment, was late to something important, or felt like there just aren't enough hours in the day? Well, there really are-- you just have to know how to organize your time and use it wisely.
{ 1 } Make a schedule
If you don't already have a planner or schedule, I highly suggest you get one. You may want to use one for everything-- homework, assignments, birthdays, parties, tasks, etc., or you can break it up. For example, I used my computer's iCal which syncs with my phone for appointments, birthdays, events. I use my school provided planner for tests, assignments, and what I'll work on each day. Do whatever works best for you, because then you'll be more likely to stick to it.
Be sure to keep everything you need on your schedule, and try to write neatly as it will avoid any feelings of being overwhelmed later. One tip is color coding things by subject-- for example in a school planner, you could have a color for each class, or a color for major assignments and the day tests are. You can put your soccer related things in blue, your family duties in red, and your friend-related things in orange, etc. Again, the importance is finding a system that works for you.
{ 2 } Take time to get organized
I like to take a day of the week (I usually suggest Sunday or Monday to start off the new week, or Friday at the end of the school week) to get everything together. Go through handouts or sheets to look for any assignments, and put those in your planner. Write down any invitations you've gotten, and take this time to also RSVP. I also like to take this time to make a list of all the to-dos I have, or major assignments coming up for the week. Having it written down on paper makes it easy for you to see, and remember. And there's few things more satisfying than crossing items off your to-do list!
{ 3 } Be disciplined
You can either just work off your to-do list, or plan out what things you will get done every block of time (ex: math homework from 4-5, break from 5-5:15, english reading from 5:15-6:00). Either way, be sure to be disciplined. When you know you should be doing your work, DO It! You'll have to get it done eventually, and why not do it early when it's light out, and then watch your TV show at night, rather than watching TV when you get home and rushing, doing your HW when you're tired at 2 am? And most likely you wouldn't have been enjoying your TV show as much, having the thought of your work hanging over you! So just get it done, and then you can relax. If you decide to do something, do it! Get rid of distractions, tell people you need to do your work to hold yourself accountable, and just get it done!
{ 4 } Prioritize
Be sure to prioritize all of your activities. Some things you can have others do or not do at all! Be sure to star on your schedule or mark with the number system (explained in this tip: http://www.polyvore.com/how_to_stress_less/set?id=25171051) what is important, and be sure to get this done first. Break it into manageable pieces, and get going. You need to focus on the things that are important and high priority. This goes for school (a test is more important than some reading if you won't be quizzed on it), and other things (your grandma's 90th birthday party over pizza with friends you see every day and have pizza with every weekend).
Try listing out your biggest goals-- making the soccer team, getting a B+ or higher in math, helping at an animal shelter 2x / week -- and make sure the tasks that help you get toward your goals are done and scheduled in. You should only be doing tasks you: 1) need to do (school work, mainly), 2) bring you closer to your goals and 3) you truly want to do and enjoy. Be sure to balance the necessities you need to get done with some enjoyable things, to keep your days fun but still productive!
{ 5 } Don't overreach yourself
Don't overcommit to things! If you know that you won't have time to do a task, and it's not necessary, don't take it! While some things you have to do, others you don't. You don't want to compromise your ability to do the other tasks because you're so exhausted from things that don't help you get closer to your goals. Sometimes it's okay to say "no" to things!
{ 6 } Delegate
Avoid doing tasks that you don't have to do, so that you can focus on the things that you really do need to work on. Don't be afraid to ask others to help out. If you're super busy and on a committee, ask another person to do a task for you. If you're doing a group project, instead of doing all the work yourself, ask her to do some research or pull the bibliography together. Just be sure not to do this too often or too much. It is totally fine to delegate some tasks, but some you will have to do yourself. And be sure to help out others when you have a chance and you have a light load, as they can probably help you when you need it, too.
{ 7 } Sleep is not a waste of time!
Sleep is not a waste of time! Sometimes you will need to forfeit sleep, but only do so in necessity. You need to schedule sleep in, and make sure to get to bed at a time you agree to. You may think that if you don't get your work done you can just stay up later, but reframe your mindset to see sleep as just as important-- it really is! Did you know sleep deprivation can lead to organ failure? While skimping a few hours won't do that much, that just shows how valuable it is. Sleeping helps consolidate memories and helps you learn more, too. So schedule in those Zzzs!
{ 8 } Set reminders and hold yourself accountable
Tell others when you are going to do things, so they can call you out on it when you don't do it. Ask your parents to help you remember things, and use post-it notes and automated reminders (on your phone, for example) to remind you to get certain things done.
{ 9 } Remember Busy ≠ Productive!
Remember that being busy isn't the same as being productive! Some people feel very busy and get little sleep but they don't actually get much done. They do a lot of tasks they don't need to, that don't help them out, that they don't enjoy. Be sure to pare down what you spend your VALUABLE time on to the three things mentioned above, and you'll probably find yourself with much more free time! Being busy isn't the same as being productive.
{ conclusion }
Remember your time is valuable, and so is how you spend it. It's all you have, and it's fleeting. So be sure to spend your time doing things you want or need to do! Be sure to be productive, not busy, and use the tips above to help you live a happier, more productive and less stressful life! :)
Organization Collection for more tips: http://www.polyvore.com/organization/collection?id=414254
{ 1 } Make a schedule
If you don't already have a planner or schedule, I highly suggest you get one. You may want to use one for everything-- homework, assignments, birthdays, parties, tasks, etc., or you can break it up. For example, I used my computer's iCal which syncs with my phone for appointments, birthdays, events. I use my school provided planner for tests, assignments, and what I'll work on each day. Do whatever works best for you, because then you'll be more likely to stick to it.
Be sure to keep everything you need on your schedule, and try to write neatly as it will avoid any feelings of being overwhelmed later. One tip is color coding things by subject-- for example in a school planner, you could have a color for each class, or a color for major assignments and the day tests are. You can put your soccer related things in blue, your family duties in red, and your friend-related things in orange, etc. Again, the importance is finding a system that works for you.
{ 2 } Take time to get organized
I like to take a day of the week (I usually suggest Sunday or Monday to start off the new week, or Friday at the end of the school week) to get everything together. Go through handouts or sheets to look for any assignments, and put those in your planner. Write down any invitations you've gotten, and take this time to also RSVP. I also like to take this time to make a list of all the to-dos I have, or major assignments coming up for the week. Having it written down on paper makes it easy for you to see, and remember. And there's few things more satisfying than crossing items off your to-do list!
{ 3 } Be disciplined
You can either just work off your to-do list, or plan out what things you will get done every block of time (ex: math homework from 4-5, break from 5-5:15, english reading from 5:15-6:00). Either way, be sure to be disciplined. When you know you should be doing your work, DO It! You'll have to get it done eventually, and why not do it early when it's light out, and then watch your TV show at night, rather than watching TV when you get home and rushing, doing your HW when you're tired at 2 am? And most likely you wouldn't have been enjoying your TV show as much, having the thought of your work hanging over you! So just get it done, and then you can relax. If you decide to do something, do it! Get rid of distractions, tell people you need to do your work to hold yourself accountable, and just get it done!
{ 4 } Prioritize
Be sure to prioritize all of your activities. Some things you can have others do or not do at all! Be sure to star on your schedule or mark with the number system (explained in this tip: http://www.polyvore.com/how_to_stress_less/set?id=25171051) what is important, and be sure to get this done first. Break it into manageable pieces, and get going. You need to focus on the things that are important and high priority. This goes for school (a test is more important than some reading if you won't be quizzed on it), and other things (your grandma's 90th birthday party over pizza with friends you see every day and have pizza with every weekend).
Try listing out your biggest goals-- making the soccer team, getting a B+ or higher in math, helping at an animal shelter 2x / week -- and make sure the tasks that help you get toward your goals are done and scheduled in. You should only be doing tasks you: 1) need to do (school work, mainly), 2) bring you closer to your goals and 3) you truly want to do and enjoy. Be sure to balance the necessities you need to get done with some enjoyable things, to keep your days fun but still productive!
{ 5 } Don't overreach yourself
Don't overcommit to things! If you know that you won't have time to do a task, and it's not necessary, don't take it! While some things you have to do, others you don't. You don't want to compromise your ability to do the other tasks because you're so exhausted from things that don't help you get closer to your goals. Sometimes it's okay to say "no" to things!
{ 6 } Delegate
Avoid doing tasks that you don't have to do, so that you can focus on the things that you really do need to work on. Don't be afraid to ask others to help out. If you're super busy and on a committee, ask another person to do a task for you. If you're doing a group project, instead of doing all the work yourself, ask her to do some research or pull the bibliography together. Just be sure not to do this too often or too much. It is totally fine to delegate some tasks, but some you will have to do yourself. And be sure to help out others when you have a chance and you have a light load, as they can probably help you when you need it, too.
{ 7 } Sleep is not a waste of time!
Sleep is not a waste of time! Sometimes you will need to forfeit sleep, but only do so in necessity. You need to schedule sleep in, and make sure to get to bed at a time you agree to. You may think that if you don't get your work done you can just stay up later, but reframe your mindset to see sleep as just as important-- it really is! Did you know sleep deprivation can lead to organ failure? While skimping a few hours won't do that much, that just shows how valuable it is. Sleeping helps consolidate memories and helps you learn more, too. So schedule in those Zzzs!
{ 8 } Set reminders and hold yourself accountable
Tell others when you are going to do things, so they can call you out on it when you don't do it. Ask your parents to help you remember things, and use post-it notes and automated reminders (on your phone, for example) to remind you to get certain things done.
{ 9 } Remember Busy ≠ Productive!
Remember that being busy isn't the same as being productive! Some people feel very busy and get little sleep but they don't actually get much done. They do a lot of tasks they don't need to, that don't help them out, that they don't enjoy. Be sure to pare down what you spend your VALUABLE time on to the three things mentioned above, and you'll probably find yourself with much more free time! Being busy isn't the same as being productive.
{ conclusion }
Remember your time is valuable, and so is how you spend it. It's all you have, and it's fleeting. So be sure to spend your time doing things you want or need to do! Be sure to be productive, not busy, and use the tips above to help you live a happier, more productive and less stressful life! :)
Organization Collection for more tips: http://www.polyvore.com/organization/collection?id=414254
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