Q&A for How to Improve Time Management Skills

Using a calendar, setting reminders on electronic devices, structuring your day, and setting priorities so that your time does not get away from you.

They can improve their skills by using various organizational devices, whether those are electronic or paper and pencil. Everyone responds better to one or the other.

Set up and keep to a schedule. Establish priorities. Use the early hour to look over what you need to accomplish that day. Use electronic reminders. Set goals.

Try to set boundaries with your time and figure out what things are taking too much of your energy. If you're struggling with productivity, try setting goals that are really doable and achievable so that you can stay confident and motivated to complete other tasks on your to-do list.

Rank the things you need to schedule from least to most important, and build the most important items into your schedule first. Once you've finished the more difficult tasks on your list, you can take the smaller items one by one to prevent yourself from becoming overwhelmed.

Some top innovators say people should not use lists, especially because it makes some people feel overwhelmed and defeated. The innovators' idea is that everyone can wake up and think of 3 or 4 things they know they need to do. They think this frees up creativity and the desire to actually do what needs done. You could try it both ways--a list with due dates, and the other way with doing 3 or 4 things you know you must do. Then choose what way works best for you.

It sounds like you need to trick your brain (brains love to encounter unpredictable, impromptu solutions)! Let's say it is Monday and you have 20 pages to read by Friday (that's 4 nights to read it). Your brain might like if you read 5 pages each night---but backwards! Or you could start at the beginning and read every-other page: 1, 3, 5.... The next night, read 2, 4, 6... and so on. Your brain sounds sick and tired of "no fun"---so, make it fun. Build in rewards-- study 1/2 hour, then watch 1/2 hour of TV, or game, or YouTube... but be a drill sergeant and be back to work after that time of play.

Set aside the timetable and get your brain energized again! Do things backwards, upside down, starting from "End" back to "The Beginning". Be silly when planning how to study. Like, it's okay to recite new words and definitions while taking a bubble bath. Make studying into your own private game.