By Deborah Dittner
It’s a new dawn…it’s a new day…it’s a new year! Hello 2026!
It’s just amazing how time flies! And there never seems to be enough hours in the day to get everything I want to get accomplished actually done. How does that happen?!?!
Some of you may say I need some time management skills and others may say “I totally agree.” The feeling that you don’t have enough hours in the day is quite common but there are ways to improve the daily outcomes and actually manage to get things done.
Before turning in for the night, create your list by prioritizing those items and tasks you need completed first. By writing down your list, you can create a timeline and place items in categories as to what needs definitely have to be accomplished and what may be less important. Make sure you add in time for proper nutrition, rest periods and exercise as these will help boost your energy for the long haul.
After you have completed your list, check the top three items that absolutely need to be done so that you can work on these first.
Once you begin a task…complete it.
By completing one task at a time, you will find that creates “more time” to get things done. If you attempt to multi-task, (and how many of us do that), you actually waste time. Say you’re working on writing a paper. You get up to make a cup of tea and go to the bathroom. On the way to the bathroom, you see there is a load of laundry calling out to you so you stop and sort and start a load of laundry. You just lost approximately 10 minutes or more and the concentration you had while writing that article. You go back to your desk and need to re-concentrate on the information at hand. Ugh! In other words, don’t multitask.
Schedule your tasks by placing similar items together. If you need to spend time on the computer writing that paper as mentioned above, check your email, correspond to those with questions, but don’t scroll on Facebook or Instagram as those are time wasters. Also turn off notifications as these can be disturbing and lose your concentration. You may need to run errands consisting of picking up groceries, followed by the post office and possibly a quick stop to pick up lunch or dinner. By batching similar items together such as computer work and then errands, much more is accomplished. Do remember though to take a break and actually place that time into your schedule. If it’s not in the schedule, you may actually forget and be less productive in the long run.
Listen to your body. You may be a morning person full of energy on awakening. This is the time to schedule the tasks that require the most energy and concentration. Make sure you fuel your body with healthy meals and remember to hydrate. Water or herbal teas can boost your energy when you’re feeling a bit sluggish. Remember to move. If you sit at the computer for hours on end, you can become stiff and actually feel sluggish. By getting up to stretch your body, you’ll be waking up and moving the joints needed to continue. For one of your breaks, you may take a short walk which will increase your energy, provide you with Vitamin D and get you out in the fresh air. And don’t forget, proper sleep is a must for you to be productive and able to concentrate. By listening to your body, you will increase your energy levels and get the job done.
You’ve made your list and it is a mile long. How on earth will you get this all done? Simply put…you won’t! No one is superhuman at accomplishing everything. You can’t do it all! In looking at your list, see which is the most important that actually needs to be done that particular day and do it. Set your intentions on your goal of completing that task. If someone calls you to go for lunch, graciously decline and set up another time. Your goal of finishing the task is the target. Remember not to fill your day with one task after the next but find balance including fuel, rest and relaxation as these breaks provide your body with renewed energy and creativity.
So … let’s bring on 2026!