Time Management Tips for the New Year

Chatting Time Management tips for the New Year to make the start of your 2018 stress free and goal oriented leading to loads of success!

For starters, I am NOT a morning person; and I’ve found that’s my biggest challenge with Time Management – waking up at a reasonable time in the morning.  I have slept through numerous alarm clocks and I even slept through Hurricane Katrina … yeah, I’m not proud of that one :p.  But, over the years in the businesses that I’ve ran, especially the entertainment industry and blogging, time management has been something that I’ve had to conquer in order to survive these industries!  Plus, I manage myself AND Dean so I have no choice but to master this!  But, just to be clear, I’m not perfect at it, as I still get carried away on my night owl kicks when blogging … hence, I am currently typing this at 1am LOL!  But I don’t have to get up till 9am tomorrow; so I’m just getting it started and will finish it tomorrow 🙂

Back to Time Management!  Below, I’m sharing some tips that I have learned over the years that will help you to better manage your time on a daily basis!  New Year = New You!

Shop my jacket:

Get a Visual Planner

I know this sounds super old-school; but a visual planner that you write in with a pen/pencil is a game changer when it comes to time management!  (Side note: I prefer pencil so I can erase when I need to move things around because my schedule changes constantly!)  I know it’s almost 2018 and technology offers tons of calendar tools on our phones and computers; but having the full week and/or month right in front of you to look at everything at once, makes a huge difference in planning out your time.  With the phone calendar, you’re more likely to overbook or even take more time sorting out your schedule because you have to click on each event to see the time, date, etc.  Most visual planners lay the week and month out for you allowing you to be more organized with your schedule.  I love Erin Condren planners, which is what I have for 2018.  I know they are pricey when you get to customizing but they are sooooo worth it!  I’ve also liked some of my other favs for you all below.  Also, Hobby Lobby has some great ones for great prices, especially if you have coupons, which I think you can find online!

Shop Planners:

Shop my look (My sweater is sold out in this color but it’s still available in navy and mustard; and I also linked my other fav similar chenille sweaters!):

 

Get a watch

Such a no brainer and I sound ridiculous right now?  Hear me out!  When asked the time, most of us usually go straight to our phone that’s always attached to us, right?!  Are you guilty?  I totally was until recently!  The benefit in getting a watch prevents us from going straight to social media once we grab our phone to look at the time.  Do you ever go to your phone for one thing, i.e. the time, the weather, etc, but then you find yourself still scrolling Instagram 20-minutes later?  Yup, I’m totally guilty; but, now that I have a good watch, I find myself being much more productive because I don’t get stuck on my phone.  The disclaimer: you definitely have to get in the habit of remembering the watch is there but you’ll catch on quick.  On the plus side, there are lots of fashionable watches; so I’m linking lots my favs below for all budgets!  My personal favs are my Daniel Wellington watches with the matching cuff, which I’ll link mine here; but you can also check out their website for more styles!

Shop my DW watches and cuffs:

Shop my other favs (including some other DW styles also):

Shop similar fur coats:

 

Set Goals

Setting goals can be tricky because we all have our big goal in mind, for instance, for me, it’s to book certain acting jobs or reach certain numbers on my blog!  However, if I only look at the big picture and the end goal, I will be super overwhelmed and not very productive.  Therefore, setting mini goals is a great way to manage your time because you can have realistic deadlines and you will be much more productive.  For example, my mini goals to reach a certain number of readers/viewers may be to make sure I release eight blogs over the month and hold one giveaway.  That seems way more logical than just setting a goal to get 200 new viewers this month!  My Erin Condren planner has a page at the beginning of the month where you can write your goals down and the list steps to get there, aka your mini goals.  I suggest finding a planner with this feature because writing it down and seeing it daily will solidify it for you!

Above look linked in previous photo!

Shop my top:

 

Prioritize Your Time

Sometimes you HAVE to say “no”.  It’s as simple as that!  Sometimes you just need a minute to breathe and focus on YOU; and, if that means saying no to dinner plans or partying, not helping a friend with their work for a day, or taking on someone else’s tasks or even helping family, you will just have to say you’re not available!  Once you get your own priorities straightened out, you can, then, help others, take on extra tasks, or have a dinner night.  Or you can always set a limit or a time preference in helping others that you cannot exceed to assure that you focus on your own priorities!  One of my favorite “me” times is taking 10-20 minutes of my day to soak in some motivational reading.  My absolute current fav book is At Left Brain Turn Right, by Anthony Meindl.  Linked here!

Shop my look (similar sweaters) and book:

Strategy Session

Speaking of straightening out your own priorities, sometimes Dean and I feel most productive after, what we we like to call, a #TeamWest Strategy Sesh!  Basically, we take four pieces of paper and label them: Mich – Now, Mich – Later, Dean – Now, Dean – Later.  Sometimes our brains get so boggled with everything on our plates that we just need to put it all down on paper.  This shows us what is first priority needing attention “now” and what can wait till “later”!  This is a huge help!  (Side note: Sometimes, we will have a snack and/or a drink over it!  Fav: Crown and Kombucha)

Above look linked in same previous photo!

Meditate

I know what you’re thinking!  How is meditating going to help in managing my time?  I’m not saying that you have to meditate for 30 minutes a day and become Buddha or a anything a long those lines, as it’s not a religious thing at all.  In this case, let’s just call it “tactical thinking”!  I’m just saying to sit and focus on your goals for a few minutes per day!  Focus on the outcome and see yourself accomplishing them and everything that comes along with them.  For instance, I like to imagine working on set with certain actors that I plan to create with in the future; but, even more, I like to imagine the differences I can make and the people I can help as an actor both now and in the future!  I’m a firm believer in ‘what you put out there is what comes back to you’.  Put the good stuff out there so it comes back to you; and, in turn, this will put more focus on your mini goals leading you to your ultimate goal.  Plus, don’t you think five minutes focused on your goals is better than five minutes scrolling through social media?  Before you know it, five minutes will feel like 30 seconds and you will see the benefit more and more!

Examples:

• Actors: In your head, play out being on a set with an actor and/or director that you want to work with in the future.  Imagine you guys creating the scene.  Imagine you guys watching the completed film and being at the premier.  Even imagine yourself walking the red carpet.  Then, image after that, after you have built a name for yourself.  Imagine yourself using your voice to raise awareness for your favorite organization or a cause that is close to your heart.
• Pageant girls: Imagine yourself winning that night.  Imagine the crown being placed on your head, accepting your flowers, and taking your first walk in your new reign.  But again, imagine so much further than that.  Imagine your “why”!  Play it like a movie in your head as you visit your charity of your platform.  Hug the little girls that think you are a real life princess and only hope to stand in your shoes one day.  Hug the handicapped and disabled that are ecstatic to even be in your presence, but it’s even better when you let them wear your crown and banner.  P.S. Let them!!!  And have kleenex ready … for you!  Allow all of this to humble you knowing it is possible if you believe it!
• Bloggers: Imagine your numbers a year from now and appreciate them as if they were your current numbers.  Imagine yourself as a guest at New York Fashion Week!  Imagine yourself styling your favorite celebrity and talk to them as if you work with them on a daily basis.  Or imagine yourself designing a certain piece for a certain celeb that you would love to work with in the future.  And, again, even further, imagine yourself continuously creating your platform to help others, whether it’s on a larger level or through your blog.

*I know I’m showing a trend in helping others here; but in the long run, that’s what life is about.  Yes, above, I say you need time for you; but the only way to help others is to prioritize your time to have the ability to do so!  Be the change that you want to see; and you will see how this helps YOU and OTHERS … WIN/WIN!*

What I am saying for everyone is to imagine it now and appreciate it as if it were happening now and you will see huge changes in not only your time management but also in your success!  I customized the cover of my 2018 planner to say “What I want wants me.  I am unstoppable”!  So my best advice: breathe, believe, receive!

Look linked above!

I LOVE my fashion but I enjoyed taking a little break from it today to share this with you all as we dive into 2018 with drive and determination!  Comment below if you enjoyed this and would want more blogs of this nature!

Thanks for following along this journey with me; and I hope to continue to inspire you all in any way possible!  Also, I hope 2018 is a successful year for all!

Until next time, peace and love!

XOXO,

Michelle

written by: Michelle  West