Yes - you DO have time! How to have better time management

'If only I had more time...'

How often do you find yourself using this as a reason (or excuse) for not doing something? Most of us do, and far too often.

Everyone has the same number of hours in a day. So how is it that some people seem to get so much done whilst many of us waste the day or feel stressed as we try to fit in so many tasks?

It comes down to managing your time. This may sound rather obvious, but how can you make your own time management better?

• Every evening, make a list of what you want to achieve each day. If this, for example, includes adding in some exercise, decide how much time you want to allow. If you want to go to the gym or out walking for 4 days of the week, which days and when?

• You need to commit these days and times to a diary - not simply keep them in your head.

• Plan your day: morning, afternoon and evening. How do you work best? Are you a morning person or do you get into your stride later in the day?

• Divide your task-list into the 'must do' and the 'may do' depending on priority.

• Learn to value yourself and your own needs. If you need time to relax, plan it into your day. Take this commitment to yourself seriously - the same as you would if it was a commitment to a friend or colleague.

• Have self-discipline! It's so easy when going online to let one click lead to another and waste an hour online, which is not actually achieving anything. 

• If you want to browse online, chat online, catch up with social media etc, set yourself a time when you allow yourself to do this e.g. 7-8pm.

• Decide how to read emails. There is no need to read and reply constantly. maybe reading and replying twice a day at midday and 4pm would be better? Unless you work in a fast-paced environment no one expects an instant reply.

• If you work from home, let your friends and family know that your time is valuable - don't be tempted to stop for coffee and phone chats throughout the day. Use your answerphone and let people know you will call back in the evening - or whatever time suits you.

• Be kind to yourself! Everyone has a day when nothing goes right and we feel frustrated, but learn to move on and use your time management skills the next day.