Now is the time to “work smarter, not harder.”

Punctual or late? Do you finish things within the time? Are you able to accomplish what you want to do before deadlines? Do you hand in your reports/work on time?

If your answer is “no” to any of the questions above, that means you’re not managing your time as well as you want and now is the time to "work smarter, not harder".  Managing time isn’t about squeezing as many tasks into your day as possible. It’s about simplifying how you work, doing things faster, and relieving stress.

Here are some tips on how to be a better time manager:

*Create a daily plan. Plan your day before it unfolds. Do it in the morning or even better, the night before you sleep. The plan gives you a good analysis of how the day will end. That way, you don’t get caught off guard. Your work for the day is to stick to the plan as best as possible.

"Failing to Plan is Planning to Fail".

*Use a calendar. Having a calendar is the most fundamental step to organizing your daily activities. Make use of your mobile phones calendar. Google Calendar is also a great alternative – I use it, and you can make use of it too. It’s even better if you can sync it to your mobile phone and other hardwares you use – that way, you can access your schedule no matter where you are.

*Know your deadlines. When do you need to accomplish your tasks? Mark the deadlines out clearly in your calendar and organizer so you know when you need to finish them.

*Learn to say “No”. Realize your limits, and plan around them. For the distractions that come in when you’re doing other things, give a firm no. Or defer it to a later period.

*Focus. Are you multi-tasking so much that you’re just not getting anything done? If so, focus on just one key task at a time. Don't get distracted easily. If you're in a computer, close off all the applications you aren’t using. Close off the tabs in your browser that are taking away your attention. Focus solely on what you’re doing. You’ll be more efficient that way.

*Prioritize. Since you can’t do all things, learn to prioritize the important and let go of the rest for a while.

*Be conscientious of amount of TV/Internet/gaming time.
Time spent browsing Facebook or Playing COC or watching TV and movies can be one of the biggest drains on productivity.
I suggest becoming more aware of how much time you spend on these activities. Simply by noticing how they’re wasting up your time you’ll begin to do them less. (except COC :P )

*Exercise and eat healthily.
Studies have linked a healthy lifestyle with work productivity. Similar to getting enough sleep, exercising and eating healthily boost your energy levels, clears your mind, and allows you to focus more easily.

*Sleep at least 7-8 hours.
Most people (especially the younger ones) think sacrificing sleep is a good way to hack productivity and squeeze a couple extra hours out of the day. This is not the case.
Most people need 7-8 hours of sleep for their bodies and minds to function best. You know if you’re getting enough. Listen to your body, and don’t undervalue the power of rest.

It's never too late to start over. If you weren't happy with yesterday, try something different today. Don't stay stuck. Do better. -Work smarter, Not Harder.