OFW guide: Manage your time to reduce stress, raise productivity

Feeling stressed out lately? Having problems with your productivity? The health site Mayo Clinic suggests managing your time properly to reduce stress and increase your productivity. Some of its time management tips include: (1) Planning each day

 

Planning one's day can help people accomplish more tasks and be more in control of their lives. It is practical to have a "to-do list" each day, indicating the most important tasks at the top. Scheduling daily activities will reduce conflicts and last-minute rushes.

(2) Putting proper priority to tasks By determining which tasks have a greater priority, "time-consuming but relatively unimportant tasks" can be accomplished later, Mayo Clinic suggests. "Prioritizing tasks will ensure that you spend your time and energy on those that are truly important to you," it said. (3) Learning to delegate

From your to-do list, you can determine which ones you can pass on to someone else.

By delegating, you will perform better at important tasks. "Doing work right the first time may take more time upfront, but errors usually result in time spent making corrections, which takes more time overall," Mayo Clinic said.

 

(4) Evaluate how you spend your time Document everything you do for three days. Check how you're spending your time. "Look for time that can be used more wisely. For example, could you take a bus or train to work and use the commute to catch up on reading? If so, you could free up some time to exercise or spend with family or friends," Mayo Clinic suggested.  

(5) Limit distractions Mayo Clinic suggests limiting distractions so that you will use your time more effectively,. "Get plenty of sleep, eat a healthy diet and exercise regularly. A healthy lifestyle can improve your focus and concentration, which will help improve your efficiency so that you can complete your work in less time," it said.  

"Take a break when needed. Too much stress can derail your attempts at getting organized. When you need a break, take one. Take a walk. Do some quick stretches at your workstation. Take a day of vacation to rest and re-energize," it added. - AM/VVP, GMA News