What’s The One Thing That Money Can’t Buy?
Did you know that you have something in common with Bill Gates, Warren Buffett, and Oprah Winfrey? They may have a gazillion dollars, but just like you they can’t buy more than 60 minutes in an hour, or 24 hours in a day. So that’s why we all have to learn to use time wisely. Time is our most precious resource.
You don’t have an entourage or assistants to help you through your day, so we know that you are under huge time pressure. Not only do you have to find the time for class and study, but you also may have to work a job, maybe two, plus you have family commitments and friends to manage.
With that in mind, read these 10 CARRINGTON time saving hints and tips…they may help you become more productive.
C – Combine your to-do lists into one book or calendar. Working from 1 list is far more efficient than checking off things to do on 6!
A – Accomplish. Don’t put off an assignment because it seems too difficult. Attack it by taking bite size chunks; that will bring the task down to a manageable size and make it feel less scary.
R – Read and review your notes from a previous class if you have a few minutes between classes. Using that time wisely will get you caught up and put you in the right mindset before your next class.
R – Reward. If you had a productive day, reward yourself. Go out with friends, play with the kids, enjoy yourself for a few hours! A planned reward is a good incentive to finish an assignment on time.
I – Invigorate your mind. Take time to eat well and exercise regularly. This will improve your concentration, put you in a better frame of mind, and boost your energy levels making you more efficient when you get back to work.
N – Now! In the words of Benjamin Franklin – “You may delay, but time will not.” Don’t put something off if you can realistically get it done today. Tomorrow will only have 24 hours too – Guaranteed!
G – Get Out. 90 minutes to 2 hours of study is the most the brain can take before it starts to tire, and you start to lose concentration. Take a short break, grab 15 minutes of fresh air if you can, and then move on to another subject to revitalize and reenergize your brain.
T – Targets. Set 15 minutes aside on a Sunday evening to plan your time and targets for the coming week. Make sure your goals are measurable, realistic and achievable. Don’t just set time aside for ‘study’; specify what you’ll be studying in each session, and a reasonable amount of time to do it in.
O – Organize. Plan your day, or your week, if possible, so you know your schedule and obligations. Leave some flexibility because life may throw you curveballs from time to time. A well planned schedule should ease your stress, not contribute to it.
N – Not Tonight! If you’ve scheduled a time for study, politely turn down distractions. But be sure to take a rain check because you deserve your rewards…but on your own schedule. Remember to focus… and know that a ringing phone doesn’t have to be answered!