How to Manage Your Time Effectively for a Productive Day

Tasks are stretching out in front of you. Calls to make, inboxes to check. You put certain tasks off, thinking you’ll get to them later. Everything you need to do never seems to get done.

Sound familiar?

Learning how to manage your time effectively is a key way to start a productive day. Time might seem like a fixed entity, but if you manage it well, time can become more flexible than you might think.

Here are our top tips for how to manage your time effectively for a productive day.

Why Productivity is Important

A productive day has many benefits. Manage your time effectively and stay in control of your tasks, and suddenly you have more free time. With better productivity, your wellbeing improves. Not only do you have more time for exercise, but you can relax more during rest time, knowing that your daily goals have been reached. 

If you manage your time and stay organised, you’re less likely to face burnout from trying to get all your jobs done in a short period of time. As your time management skills improve, you’ll also find yourself enjoying your jobs more. 

Being productive means being in control. You set boundaries for what you intend to do, and when you intend to do it.

How to Be More Productive in Less Time

One phrase encapsulates a truly productive day: work smarter, not harder. To manage your time effectively, you need to organise your tasks. 

Firstly, prioritise. Some tasks are more important than others, and some have deadlines. Get those jobs you dread done early! It might be very boring - but it ensures you get the most heavy-going work out of the way.

Avoid distractions at all costs. It can be tempting to take a glance at Instagram every few moments. Cute cat videos are the ultimate procrastination tool, taking all your attention away from the task at hand, losing vital time. 

This isn’t to say that breaks aren’t important: but you need to manage your breaks as you manage your time.

Wellbeing and Productivity: How to Plan For a Healthier Day

Wellbeing and productivity are closely linked. To have a truly productive day, you need to look after yourself.

Allot set times for breaks into your daily routine, just as you would with tasks. The trick is to not allow work and rest time to mix. No social media or other distractions whilst you work. 

Listen to your natural inclinations. Work en bloc, if you prefer. If you like to work little and often, try the Pomodoro technique - which involves working non-stop for 25 minutes, then allowing yourself a 5 minute break.

To manage your time effectively, you need to allot for energy dips. If you’re a morning person, work early to ensure your most important tasks are completed before you dip in the afternoon.

Use breaks to boost your wellbeing throughout the day. Eat fruits and nuts. Exercise. Stay hydrated. It all helps you make the most of your time.

Avoiding Burnout - Stay Productive with a Busy Day

If you manage your time effectively, it becomes easier to avoid burnout. Burnout is a form of intense mental and physical exhaustion associated with long-term stress and overwork. 

‘All work and no play’ is not the same as a productive day. If you take care of yourself, you also boost your productivity. 

On busy days, when you’re flying around answering calls and sending emails, you might find it harder to stick to time management routines. To manage your time effectively on a busy day, remember the importance of prioritising. 

Focus on urgent tasks. Minimise unnecessary tasks. Do those emails really need to be responded to at length? Do you really need to start that new project right now?