‘Locking in’ is the slogan for 2025. However, time management has been a massive roadblock for most Nigerians. So, how do we manage time to be more productive? It is pretty straightforward. You don’t have to read many ramblings to get to the point. Here are practical tips that you can apply to manage your time to be more productive.
Write a To-do List
A to-do list helps you write down the goals you hope to achieve. Divide your goals into the short, mid, and long terms. Humans often forget what they want to do. This is not intentional, especially when there are so many pending tasks.
Writing down what you want to do can clarify everything to ensure you don’t forget any tasks. It also helps if you arrange the tasks in order of priority. This way, you do the most important one first. Plus, ensure your task list is time-bound with appropriate deadlines.
Create A Good Schedule
A schedule is like a road map that helps you plan how to spend your time. It allows you to plan how the future goes, so there are no surprises. You can use this schedule alongside your to-do list. Outline the tasks you need in a day and set a road map on how you hope to achieve each. This way, you have an eagle-eye view of how your day should go.
Relying on a to-do list alone is how most people get it wrong. Moreover, we recommend creating a schedule that factors the tasks alongside unpredictability issues. Nigeria is sometimes unpredictable. There can be traffic jams, power outages, and even unexpected strikes. When you give your schedule a little wiggle room, you are not thrown completely off-balance when things like this happen.
Steer Clear of Procrastination
Procrastination is a crafty time thief. It occurs when we put things off until later. An example is deciding to work out in the evening when you had planned to work out in the morning for no valid reason. The reasons for procrastination range from lack of focus to boredom.
When you delay your tasks, they pile up and often disrupt other tasks on your to-do list. Breaking the goals into small, sizable chunks is the best way to prevent this habit. Also, try time blocking and staying focused. You can stay focused by using music or chewing gum. There are several tricks to getting your brain to concentrate.
Outsource Some Tasks
There are several tasks you don’t have to do yourself. You can outsource the jobs to others for a little pay. This way, you can handle more tasks even while doing less. Home chores or some intellectual-related tasks can be outsourced to people ready to do them for a fee while you go out with family. You don’t save money by doing everything. Remember, you are paying with time. Pick the tasks with the most consequences and stick to them.
Take Breaks
Breaks are crucial when it comes to time management. People often assume that productivity is all about locking in every day. However, a common saying is that “body no be firewood.” And yes, we do break down. It is possible to overwork yourself.
When that happens, you are knocked out for days, if not weeks. So, you want to take breaks to watch movies, read books, or stroll. This gives your brain time to relax while preparing for other responsibilities.
Rounding Up
Undoubtedly, 2025 is the year of locking in. How do you go about that? Here are the required steps. We discuss the different ways to approach time management to help you better use your time and be more productive. Stay true to the goal and see how it turns out.
Disclaimer: The opinions, views, and information expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the official policy, position, or views of iNaijanow (Bean Creative). The company assumes no liability for errors, omissions, or damages from using this information.
