Get Sh*t Done: Time Management When You Have No Time

I am a serial planner and list maker. Checking off an item from my To Do list is one of the most satisfying feelings for me. While managing my time as a college student with classes, my sorority, clubs, and a social life, I have learned several valuable tips on how to get everything done even when you feel like there is not enough time.

The key to time management is simple: deadlines. We let down ourselves more than anyone else and that is because we do not hold ourselves accountable. We do not set deadlines for ourselves and end up remaining in a constant "I'll do it tomorrow" mindset. How to fix this? Stop lying to yourself and set a plan in which you hold yourself accountable.

Here are my best tips to organize and execute your tasks:

DAILY PLAN

Whether this is written on a sheet of paper, in your notes on your phone, or fully scheduled in your calendar, plan out your entire day the night before. By this I mean your ENTIRE day, including times for each part: class, rest, workout, homework, meetings, etc.

This is an example of one of my (less busy) day plans. Having the day laid out with times for each task helps me realistically get an idea of how much I can get done and avoid overbooking myself. Yes, sometimes unexpected events slow us down or set our plans back, but this plan is a way to not make EXCUSES for time delays.

(I'll include a blank copy of this list below if you would like to make a to do list for yourself)

TO DO LIST

Yes, you need an overall to do list along with a daily to do list. Remember that email you were suppose to send or that shirt you had to return? Sometimes we forget to include the little tasks in our daily plan and need a separate checklist to make sure we remember to get them done.

CALENDAR

Physical planners, Google Calendar, a monthly white board calendar hanging in your room...use them all. I have a white board monthly calendar hanging above my desk with important dates like exams, socials, meetings, and birthdays. It's kind of hard to forget an exam when the date is hanging right in front of your face while doing homework. Similarly, physical planners are beneficial because you have a month overview along with a weekly agenda of each day to write down homework assignments and tasks (not to mention the aesthetic appeal). Lastly, I use to just use the calendar feature on my iPhone, but Google Calendar is a godsend. Although I cherish my physical paper planner, the electronic reminders before events is very helpful so nothing slips your mind. I color coordinate events in my Google Calendar depending on what category they fall under (school, sorority, work, appointments). If I am on the go and have to check my schedule, I always have my phone on me for quick access to my monthly and daily agenda.

REMINDERS

As mentioned above, electronic calendars are useful to get reminders before a scheduled event, but the iPhone reminder app can help with the little things. Don't want to forget your medication? Set a reminder for the same time every day. Don't want to forget to grab something? Set a reminder when at a specific location or at a certain time. Reminders are the above and beyond method to ensure we don't tell ourselves we'll remember something and then get to our destination realizing we, of course, forgot.

By now you're either thinking I am a planning freak or find these tips helpful. Either way, if you struggle with time management, have too much on your plate, or are on an organization kick right now, try these tips and see how much they help get your life in order. No more flaking out on ourselves.

Blank To Do List for your using