How to control your time with a day job
For many of us, having a day job is a necessary evil. We need the money to pay the bills, but we often feel like we don’t have enough time for our other commitments.
If you’re struggling to find a balance between work and the rest of your life, here are 12 tips to help you take control of your time.
1. Make a schedule and stick to it
One of the best ways to make sure you’re using your time wisely is to create a schedule and stick to it. Plan out when you’re going to work on your side projects, when you’re going to relax, and when you’re going to do other activities. Then, make sure you stick to that schedule as much as possible.
2. Set aside time each day to work on your side projects
If you want to make progress on your side projects, you need to set aside time each day to work on them. Even if it’s just an hour or two, dedicate that time to working on your project and nothing else. This will help you stay focused and get things done.
3. Don’t procrastinate
It’s easy to fall into the trap of putting off your side projects until later, but this will only make it harder to find time for them. If you’re struggling with motivation, try setting a goal for yourself (like completing a certain task by the end of the day) and then holding yourself accountable.
4. Get rid of distractions
When you’re trying to focus on work, any distraction can be a huge time-waster. So turn off your phone, close all tabs except for the one you’re working on, and do whatever else you need to do to eliminate distractions. This will help you stay focused and get more done in less time.
5. Take breaks
Although it’s important to stay focused, it’s also important to take breaks. Breaks allow you to rejuvenate and come back to work with fresh energy. So make sure you schedule in some break time throughout the day.
6. Delegate and outsource
If you’re trying to do everything yourself, you’re going to have a hard time finding enough time for everything. So delegate tasks to others and outsource whenever possible. This will free up your time so you can focus on the things that are really important.
7. Automate
Another way to save time is to automate tasks whenever possible. For example, you can use a tool like IFTTT to automate repetitive tasks like posting to social media or backing up your files.
8. Learn to say no
One of the hardest things to do is say no, but it’s often necessary if you want to make time for your side projects. If someone asks you to do something that isn’t related to your project, politely decline and explain that you’re working on something else.
9. Set priorities
When you have a lot of things to do, it can be hard to know where to start. That’s why it’s important to set priorities and focus on the most important tasks first. This will help you use your time more effectively and get more done.
10. Eliminate unnecessary tasks
If you find yourself spending a lot of time on tasks that don’t really need to be done, it’s time to eliminate them. For example, if you’re spending an hour every day job checking social media, try setting a limit for yourself (like 15 minutes) and stick to it.
11. Batch similar tasks together
If you have a lot of similar tasks to do, batch them together and work on them all at once. This will save you time because you won’t have to switch between tasks as often.
12. Take advantage of downtime
Whenever you have a few minutes of downtime, use it to work on your side projects. Whether you’re waiting in line or riding the bus, take out your phone and work on something for your project.
Conclusion:
These are just a few tips to help you use your time more effectively. If you want to make progress on your side projects, you need to be intentional about how you’re using your time. So create a schedule, set aside time each day job to work on your project, and don’t procrastinate. And most importantly, remember to take breaks and have fun!