Divine Wellness

Time Management

Traci A. Fonville

The secret of getting ahead is getting started. The secret of getting started is breaking your complex overwhelming tasks into manageable tasks and then starting on the first one.

-Mark Twain

Have you ever wished for a few more hours in the day? Why is it that some people seem to get everything done effortlessly and others feel that time constantly eludes them? The secret to managing your time well isn’t working more hours. It’s about prioritizing the important things and learning to use the time you have more efficiently and effectively. The secret is working smarter, not harder.

Some of us, by nature, organize and get tasks out of the way before we relax, while others play first and work later. It’s important to first recognize which type of person you are and whether your style is allowing you to have the life you really want. Maybe you are super organized at work, but burnt out because you don’t know how to make time for yourself. Maybe you are naturally a less organized person who knows how to relax, but you are dissatisfied because you aren’t fulfilling your goals and dreams.

Rather than labeling yourself or beating yourself up, realize that time management is an area of your life that you can strengthen. Like a new muscle, it takes practice and repetition to make it stronger. To help you get started, here are some tips to streamline your days at work and at home. Try the first one or two that jump out at you:

• Allocate time for planning and organizing.

• Create to-do lists that are realistic, not intimidating. Use only one to-do list.

• Under-schedule your time. Leave time for the unexpected and for interruptions. When you estimate how long something will take, add on a third of that time.

• Schedule your time in a way that reduces interruptions that lower your productivity.

• Practice the art of intelligent neglect. Eliminate trivial tasks.

• Prioritize what is most important and do that first.

• Consider your biological prime time. At what time of the day do you work best? Plan your most important work at that time.

• If you say yes to everything that comes your way, then you can learn to say no.

• Ask for help and delegate.

• In the evening, make your to-do list for the next day so it will be out of your brain and on a piece of paper. Leave work with a clear head and a clean desk.

• Acknowledge yourself daily for all that you have accomplished.

Also, take a look at the two biggest hindrances to using time effectively: procrastinating and lacking purpose. We usually procrastinate when a task seems too daunting, too large or too complex. When you get that “deer in headlights” feeling, try “chunking”. Break the large task into smaller, manageable action steps and start with the first one. We also often drag our heels or use our time inefficiently because we are bored, unengaged and uninspired. The most effective people will tell you that they love what they do and are aligned with a greater purpose. When it comes to managing your time, you may need to ask the larger questions, “Am I doing something that I love to do?” “Am I doing something meaningful to me?”

As you strengthen your new time management muscle, keep your focus on getting organized so that you can live the life you came here to live. Instead of being a chore, good time management can be your ticket to more fun, greater satisfaction, and a vibrant, exciting life!

Traci A. Fonville

Contributing Writer

Traci A. Fonville is a board certified holistic health coach, a graduate of the Institute of Integrative Nutrition and a registered yoga teacher. She is the owner of I Affirm Wellness, which specializes in health coaching and beginner yoga classes. She is a Wellness Advocate for dōTERRA Essential Oils and a Brand Ambassador for ItWorks! 

Follow Traci on Instagram and Facebook @iaffirmwellness. Log onto her websites for health and wellness products at www.doterra.com/iaffirmwellness and www.iaffirmwellness.myitworks.com.