Time Management Tips for Bloggers, Entrepreneurs and Everyday People

Time is a thing we all seem to have way too little of, am I right? I mean think about it: How much of your typical work week do you spend stressed about not having enough time to complete a task or reach a goal?

I know. I know. ALL THE TIME.

I’ve been there all too often and with being a business owner myself, I feel like there is never enough time to get through all that I want. I used to complain about it all the time until I started to realize that everyone has the exact same amount of time each day and so I needed to find a way to MANAGE that time better and make a change.

Today I’ve rounded up some of my best time management tips as a blogger that can apply to every one of you out there:

#1. Do your most important tasks first.

Rule number one that I swear by is everyday after I wake up and while I have my morning coffee, I identify the two or three most important things I have to do that day and make SURE I finish those first. If you need to write them down on a piece of paper and prioritize your tasks, do it. It may sound silly but crossing items off a list is one of the most satisfying things!

Think about it, once you’ve done just those 2-3 important tasks you already feel like your day has been a success.

#2. If you’re a blogger, plan out your posts when they come to you.

As a full time blogger I don’t even sit down and have brainstorming sessions. My best ideas come to me randomly while watching a movie that reminds me of something I want to talk about, while driving, doing laundry or just by getting ideas from all of you. To save time, I use my “notes” app on my phone and have a running list of post ideas that way when it’s time for me to sit down and write I never have to spend it actually THINKING of what the post is going to be about. Make sense?

#3. Learn to say “NO”.

Ahhh this is definitely a super important one I’ve found in my journey as an entrepreneur. Although it is amazing to be the “yes man,” it can easily be taken too far and get in the way sometimes. One of the main points that I’ve learned in time management is to learn to decline opportunities and events that come your way. Your friends might give you crap and say you’re lame but pushing yourself to the limit is not healthy. You should be taking on only the commitments that you know you have time for and that you know you WANT to make time for.

And bloggers, if you only have time to write one post a week, they so be it. There is no blog police ready to assassinate you if you don’t live up to 4-5 days a week! You do you because if you’re not having fun then you shouldn’t be doing it to begin with.

#4. Sleep at least 7-8 hours a night.

This might sound as a stupid tip because everyone knows this but isn’t it funny how very few of us actually follow it?? Remember, most of us need 7-8 hours of sleep for our bodies & minds to function to their fullest potential and isn’t that what you want in the end?

#5. As a blogger, stop checking your stats.

These days it’s hard not to get caught up in how many followers you have, likes you got and people who clicked on your blog. Yes, there is a time and place for all that, but not every day and not obsessively. I had to learn this the hard way and I still struggle with it but it’s how I’ve managed to advance successfully. I know new bloggers think it’s especially hard because you are trying to advance in the blogging world, but trust me — we all do it and let me tell you we all have to stop. Not only is it unhealthy, it’s a waste of time and don’t we all want to save time?

Instead, do you – have fun and post as you see fit. Set a date once a month or once every two weeks to look over your stats and get your numbers together. Just 1-2 times each month will give you enough info to help you I promise! Any more than that will seriously interfere with your blogging life and let’s be honest YOUR REAL LIFE.

#6. Don’t allow unimportant details to drag you down.

We often allow work projects and everyday tasks take a lot longer than they could because we get too hung up on small details. I’m totally guilty of this and I’m sure you are too. We are all perfectionists in our own right. What I have found is that don’t let the little things get to you. Try to move forward and go back to revise things if they need later.

#7. Find time for stillness.

In our go, go, go world, too many people don’t find time to just be still. Yet, it’s extraordinary what a stillness practice can do. Action and inaction should both play key roles in our lives.

I have met a lot of people in my life some being bloggers, others business professionals and more that have given me anxiety every time I was around them. It sounds weird but I’m sure you’ve been around those people as well. They literally go a million miles an hour, stress to the max and vocalize it to the point that you want them to sit them down force feed them a beer or 5 so they relax and be more still and in the moment.

Discovering time in your life for peace is something I’ve realized is SO important and shows you that there is no need to constantly rush. It makes it so that the time you do spend working is more productive and more enjoyable.

#8. Enjoyment should be the final goal.

We get so caught up in busy-ness that we forget to enjoy what we’re doing. Even when we focus on working smarter, we’re still often too focused on getting things done. This should never be the point. Always ask yourself: What can I do to spend more time enjoying what I’m doing? The faster you figure this out the faster you will accomplish these goals in life. Know yourself, embrace your passions and wonderful things will always happen!

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