9 Ways to Tell You’re Secretly a Time Management Guru
Author Michael Altshuler said, “The bad news is time flies. The good news is you’re the pilot.” You probably kick yourself sometimes for not being a good enough pilot. You’re likely to kick yourself when you hold yourself up to a success standard that says, “I’m not rich and famous, so I’m not successful.” One quote I saw on a coffee mug recently said, “You have the same amount of hours in a day as Beyonce.” The intent is good, and it’s lighthearted, but you’re not Beyonce. Each person can be a superstar at time management within their own sphere. Here are 9 signs you’re rocking it.
1. You’re creative
Out of the five habits of highly creative people, the ability to follow a routine is number one. Psychologist William James says schedules “free our minds to advance to really interesting fields of action.”[1] Following a schedule isn’t easy; it’s a matter of your will power consistently conquering your body’s tendency towards inertia. Training your body frees your mind. If you rock a routine and find creativity flowing out of you like a waterfall, chances are you’re really, really good at time management.
2. You’re organized
For you, organization is second nature. Having good organizational skills is about being physically and mentally organized. Physically speaking, you have no problem categorizing things and putting them in their proper place. Mentally, you’re able to prioritize tasks, attending to the most important ones first. You know how to get organized at work, but you know not to let conventional wisdom trap you. The most important task at hand is not necessarily work, it can be play, and more on that soon.
3. You finish important projects
This one stems directly from being creative and organized. The successful creative understands when they should abandon certain projects and keep on with others. So, you organize your priorities, and you follow through on what’s most pertinent. If you think about it, what else is time management about? You use your time to indulge the passions and projects that are indispensable to your being.
4. You find time to daydream and play
According to Kaufmann and Gregoire, “A review of the latest science of daydreaming has shown that mind wandering offers very personal rewards, including creative incubation, self-awareness, future planning, reflection on the meaning of one’s experiences, and even compassion.”[2]
Note that future planning plays a role in daydreaming, as it does in time management. A balance between discipline and play creates a fertile field, from which your mind grows ideas when you’re relaxed and having fun. You make time to rejuvenate your brain with outdoor activities; doing so improves creativity by 50%[3], and a creative mind is one of the hallmarks of a good time manager.
5. You maintain focus
Focus is the key to completing tasks, and you know this, which is why you’ve mastered maintaining focus, even when there are a lot of distractions. You set up your work space to facilitate work using your organization skills, and you make sure distractions don’t intrude. You make sure the people around you know you’re working, which creates the window of focus-time you need. You know how to redirect your attention when a distraction does grab you, and you’re able to address distractions competently. Finally, you remind yourself of priorities with regularity, ensuring you stay on task.
6. You’re on top of your budget
If there’s any truth to the saying “Time is money”, then effective budgeting is time management. As a great time manager, you employ at least several of the ways to budget for happiness. You find multiple ways to save money each month. You minimize food expenses by eating out less and cooking more. You have an emergency fund and other resources set aside for tough times. You make sure ordinary necessities are taken care of, you grow food and craft household items. Finally, you include the cost of play, relaxation, and new experiences in your budget.
7. You get exercise
The benefits of exercise are plenty, which is why you incorporate it into your schedule. That, and you just like the way you feel when you exercise. Through regular exercise, your memory improves, you’re less depressed, and you learn faster. It may keep you looking young longer, but you’re not worried about that because you’re too busy being active. Your skin looks great, and you have the right amount of fat for your body type.
8. You’re there for people (within reason)
Particularly if you’re an extrovert, you find there are a lot people in your life, and you relish the time you spend with them. If you’re an introvert, you have to make a point to include other people in your life, and when you do, it’s rewarding. In any case, a social life is necessary for the well-rounded person. But you strike a balance. Too much social time means you’re not writing that book you need to finish, or if you’re a social worker, it means you’re not getting enough self-care. Whatever the case, a balance between social life and other priorities is a sign you manage your time well.
9. You know what to ignore
Your BS meter is truly tuned in to things that are a waste of your time. No one has time for everything, and you’ve got to weed out the things that just aren’t worth it; for you, this is a no-brainer. Congratulate yourself for having an exceptionally fine filter.
Featured photo credit: Unsplash via pixabay.com
Reference
| [1] | ^ | Square, Inc: 5 Habits of Highly Creative People |
| [2] | ^ | Scott Barry Kaufman and Carolyn Gregoire: Wired to Create: Unraveling the Mysteries of the Creative Mind |
| [3] | ^ | American Graphics Institute: How To Improve Creativity By 50% |
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