3 Tips For Better Time Management

I am a student-athlete who runs track and cross country, which means that my life can get a little hectic at times. Though balancing my schedule can seem like a daunting task, I have learned a thing or two, since I’ve been doing this for nearly five years. Today, I hope that I can give you a few tips and tricks about time management. If you are someone who struggles with it, you can get better at it. Sometimes, all it takes is simply starting and sticking it out.

1. Make a blueprint

Make a blueprint of what your priorities are!

My priorities include the following: my walk with the Lord, graduate classes, practice/travel/race time, and my personal life (my relationship, family, friends). I can give my full attention and my all to these aspects of my life, and I am able to water them daily and help them grow. Your priorities will certainly be different than mine, but I think the best way to start a strong time management system is by making a blueprint of what your greatest priorities are. This will give you the chance to assess where you are currently. Are there ones that you should drop? Are there ones you need to add? Which ones need to get better or more consistent?

2. Start!

At the beginning of the semester, we watched a video called “Document, Don’t Create” in my social media class. Though this video was about documenting progress toward goals, Gary Vaynerchuk had a good point about simply starting. Sometimes, we can get so complacent with where we are in life. We like the comfort of old habits and routines. I know I have done this before. However, if you want to be better at time management, all you have to do is begin! It sounds easy, but I have found that it can be one of the most difficult things to do.

3. Develop New Habits

Be patient with yourself as you attain better time management skills!

After you start the process of better time management, you also must stick to what you have committed to. According to healthline.com, it can take 66 days for a habit to become second-nature. The initial steps of time management can seem overwhelming as you are figuring out what you want to give the most attention to in your life, and adding a new routine can give you even more stress. So, don’t be so hard on yourself, and give yourself some grace. Stay patient and trust the process. All it takes is time and patience!