You are on your way to becoming a time saving superstar! Part 1 talked about effective boundaries surrounding technology, writing things down, and getting inspired every day. Use these additional 5 tips to kick your productivity into high gear.
6. Breathe! Literally. Whenever we have a ton on our plates, especially leading up to a major musical event, it’s easy to perceive that time is speeding up and that we don’t have enough time to accomplish everything we need to. On the other hand, if we take a short time for several singer’s breaths, our perception of time slows, shoulders relax, thoughts don’t race as much, and we can work more efficiently.
7. Eliminate a bad habit. Some people have at least one guilty innocent habit that eats away at time. For example, I used to have a habit of looking on my email and social media on my phone in my car before and after I got to my destination. Instead I keep my phone in my pocket when driving. By cutting out that habit, I freed up 20 – 30 minutes in the day. Perhaps you have a similar kind of habit that you might be able to stop or reduce.
8. Recharge your batteries by embracing your inner introvert or extrovert. If you are an introvert and have been teaching or in meetings all day, find a quiet spot to work where you won’t be disturbed. If you are an extrovert and have been grading for hours on end, go to a coffee shop or connect with friends or colleagues. Just being around others can recharge an extrovert’s batteries. Sometimes getting recharged, even for a few minutes can propel us to more focused work and efficient use of our time.
9. On the other hand, know when it’s time to take a break. Sometimes we need to take a break from what we’re working on. Sometimes giving our brains a break is just what you need to finish that one time-consuming task.
10. Don’t judge yourself too harshly. Anytime we start building in new habits, it takes time before they become part of our daily routine. Consider choosing one of the items on the list and trying it for a period of time. Improving one’s time management can take time and a lot of trial and error. When in doubt, remember that that F.A.I.L stands for First Attempt In Learning! In the end, even creating an extra 20 – 30 minutes in our schedule per day can allow us to get more done, breathe easier, or spend more time with loved ones.
Was there something in Part 1 or 2 that resonated with you? Do you have any other time management tips? Write in the comments below!
