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14 Do’s and Don’ts of Time Management for Writers (from a Recovering Over-Achiever)

I’ve always been a schedule hacker and someone who tries to make every minute count. I’ve also always been someone who constantly laments that there isn’t just one more hour in the day. Time management is something of an obsession for me, probably because it’s a game you never completely win. In years past, I’ve gone down the overachiever path of absolutely flying through my days and trying to cram in as much as possible. There are seasons in which that is effective or even unavoidable, but eventually it becomes unsustainable. I’ve also gone through seasons in which circumstances dictated I do as little as possible, but that too is unsustainable over the long term.

Inevitably, the sweet spot is found in balance. Each person’s balance is different, depending on personality, health, goals, obligations, and other factors. No matter what your lifestyle, the demands of the modern day keep us busy and distracted. This can be especially challenging for a creative who needs downtime to breathe and think and wander, as well as concentrated go-time in which to enforce discipline and actually get words on paper.

Recently, I received the following question from reader Joan Arc:

I enjoy reading your blog posts and I like the fact that you like suggestions from your fellow writers. But as I am engaged in school and trying to balance life whilst I study, I find it is becoming more difficult to devote the time to read them. I was wondering if in the near future, you could give some helpful hints about time management and how to balance a writing schedule that will stay even when life takes priority. This is a thing that I, along with many aspiring writers struggle with, and consequently, I lose inspiration for my book. Do you have any suggestions for this?

In today’s post, I’m going to review some of the do’s and don’ts of time management that I have found most supportive throughout my writing career. First, however, I will say a word about consistency in general. I’ve written before about the pros and cons of writing every day , ultimately landing on the view that it’s not important that you write “every” day. What is important is consistency—whatever that means to you—since consistency is what staves off that loss of inspiration Joan references.

8 Do’s of Time Management for Writers

The following eight “do’s” of time management for writers are all practical steps to take in aligning your daily schedule to your vision for your writing life. Note, that it’s important to start with your vision . Start by getting clear on your own goals, not just for writing but for other areas of your life as well. This will help you identify your ideal schedule, as well as what is achievable at the moment.

1. List Your To-Dos So You Can See Them All in One Place

If your day is anything like mine, then it is made up of a bazillion little to-dos. Many of them are so infinitesimal (emptying comment spam on the website) or ordinary (brushing my teeth) that I don’t always think of them as “to-dos.” And yet, they add up fast. When trying to get clear about how to streamline your schedule and create flow states throughout your day, take the time to analyze everything . Time management for writers isn’t just about writing. It isn’t even mostly about writing. It’s about optimizing the entire day so the writing time comes as easily as possible.

2. Create “Batches” of Related Tasks

Once you’ve created a list, group your tasks thematically. A personal motto that serves me well in some instances and not so well in others is “do whatever is in front of you.” Sometimes this is the single best method for moving forward through a large task or for creating momentum when you feel stuck. Other times, it just ends up scattering your focus all over the place. Instead of eating the elephant one bite at a time, you eat a little of the elephant and a little of the giraffe and a little of the hyena—and you end the day feeling you haven’t accomplished anything.

Batch your tasks, so you can focus on one thing at a time. For example, don’t check email throughout the day. Reserve a slot at an optimal time of the day when you can sort through and respond to all emails at once.

3. Multi-Task (With Care)

Multi-tasking is a double-edged sword. On the one hand, it can undeniably help you move through multiple projects at a quicker rate. On the other hand, the growing amount of research on the loss of productivity associated with multi-tasking is sobering. Even though all that busyness can make us feel super-productive, the actual metrics don’t always weigh out. Use caution and consciousness when adding multi-tasking to your schedule.

That said, there are times when multi-tasking takes everything to 2.0. For example, you might plan to listen to an audiobook or podcast whenever your hands are busy elsewhere (e.g., commuting, doing the dishes, or, for me, designing weekly social media graphics such as the Pinterest image at the top of my posts).

4. Schedule Downtime Relentlessly

When we think of time management for writers, what usually comes to mind are all the tasks we want to do . But particularly if you’re wanting or needing to cram a lot into your daily routines, one of the most important things you can schedule is downtime. Make downtime your priority. Except in situations in which you have no choice (e.g., your paycheck is on the line, your child has an emergency, etc.), the downtime on your schedule should be the last thing to take the hit. I’ve learned this the hard way. These days, I adamantly schedule “downtime” and self-care first thing in the morning. If I don’t do it first, I don’t do it, and because it is the most important part of my day , I prioritize it relentlessly.

5. Make a Commitment With Yourself

Making schedules is the easy part; sticking with them is where the road can get rough. There are two key pieces to sticking with a schedule. The first key is creating a schedule that works . This often requires trial and error, some degree of flexibility, and self-forgiveness.

The second key is discipline. Think of your schedule as a commitment to yourself. Not only are you committing to do all the tasks you’ve laid out for yourself, but when you show up to one of those tasks, you’re going to give it your full attention. This is true for every task on your list, but as a writer, it’s the writing time that should be particularly sacred.

It can be so easy to carve out an hour or two in your day for writing… and then spend half or more of that time twiddling it away. Now, sometimes twiddling is really just creative lollygagging or even dreamzoning , both of which are part of the creative process. But other times (and you know when those times are), the twiddling is just procrastination.

6. Schedule Writing Tasks and Writing-Related Tasks Separately

People often ask me if outlining, researching, and editing count as “writing time.” In my view, they do. However, when it comes to time management for writers, it can be valuable to schedule them separately. Depending on your preferences, the temptation to do a little of everything during “writing time” may end up being counter-productive. For example, if I’m trying to get myself into the headspace of flowing with a scene I want to write, I don’t want to interrupt that with the sudden urge to go research some tidbit. I try to schedule myself out of my distractions by penciling in a slot for researching or editing or whatever else at a different time from my writing.

7. Create a Quick Warm-Up Routine

After zooming through all the to-dos that fill the rest of your day, it can be tough to sit down at your desk and suddenly turn on your inspiration and creativity. And yet, you only have an hour, and you can’t afford to waste any of it!

One of the best tricks I’ve ever used for transitioning into my writing time is a personalized warm-up routine . At certain times in my life (when I’ve had more time), I’ve scheduled warm-ups as long as 30 minutes. These days, my warm-ups are usually quite short. I choose tasks that help ground me, pull me out of a mental space and into my deeper, body-oriented imagination—such as a quick grounding meditation, lighting a candle, breathing some essential oils, or taking a bite of chocolate or a sip of coffee. I may also read over what I wrote the day before or read a quick section from my research or character notes, to help pull myself back into the mindset of my story.

8. Write in Fifteen-Minute Spurts

There you are, sitting at your desk right on schedule, ready to write. And… the words just aren’t coming. The urge to twiddle is strong. You look at the clock and suddenly this precious hour seems like for…ev…er . Before you know it, fifteen minutes have passed and you’ve rewritten the same sentence a total of three times.

The brain hack I like to use is writing in fifteen-minute spurts. I tell myself I’m going to write 500 words (or whatever) in fifteen minutes. Writing 2,000 words in an hour seems overwhelming, but 500 in fifteen minutes? I can do that! Then… when the fifteen minutes is up, I take another drink of coffee or a bite of chocolate, and do it again.

6 Don’ts of Time Management for Writers

1. don’t create a unrealistic schedule.

One of the chief reasons people struggle with time management is that they set unrealistic schedules. I get it. There is just so much we need to do in a day, on top of everything we want to do. Except in rare circumstances, we simply can’t do it all. The key to success with scheduling is to get realistic on what is actually feasible and sustainable—and enjoyable. This requires that you know your own energy: how much you have, when it peaks and ebbs, etc.

To the degree you require cooperation, you also need to understand other people’s energy and to work around it when necessary. It’s one thing to create the kind of schedule that might work on an ideal day, and another to create a schedule rugged enough to flex around the demands of life, including relationships and holidays.

You also need to be realistic about how long your writing time should actually be. What fits into your day—and your energetic limitations—in a way that nurtures your creativity rather than stressing you out?

2. Don’t Dismiss Your True Priorities

Successful time management is about scheduling the big stuff first. What’s “big” for you will be entirely personal. This might be your job; it might be your kids; it might be writing; it might be self-care. Get real with yourself about your true priorities. Sometimes our priorities aren’t always what we think they are or even what we want them to be. If you’re struggling to make time for your writing, it may be because writing is not currently your top priority. There is nothing wrong with this. However, the struggle could also be because your schedule is currently arranged around something that really isn’t a priority. Get real with yourself, and when you do identify your top priorities—whatever they are in this season of your life—honor them.

3. Don’t Guilt Yourself When You Don’t Get It All Done

Schedules are there to serve you . You are not in service to the schedule.

Let me say that again: Schedules are there to serve you . You are not in service to the schedule.

Rewriting this pattern is a challenge for many of us. When we set up schedules and (inevitably) fail to adhere to them perfectly, we can sometimes experience an unrealistic amount of guilt or even shame for our “failure.” For schedules or time-management tools of any sort to be effective, they need to help us and not hurt us. Rewriting your schedule into a routine that is realistic for your lifestyle is a good start. But if you ever feel beleaguered by your to-do list, make space to work with and heal those old patterns .

4. Don’t Say “Yes” When You Want to Say “No”

Something I was told early in my career was “say yes to everything.” Although that mindset certainly allowed me to take advantage of many opportunities, it is ultimately a perspective I have happily hurled into the trash bin. Learning to say “no” can be a long journey for many of us (especially women), but it is the foundation of a successful schedule. Ultimately, this is the same thing as getting super-clear on your own priorities. If you truly want to hold authority over your own time, then don’t schedule what isn’t true for you. And don’t change your schedule later on because you feel obligated to say “yes” to something when you’re really a “no.”

5. Don’t Let Others Disrespect Your Writing Time

Along with being able to say “no” comes the skill of creating boundaries around your schedule , particularly around your writing time. Although there will, of course, be times when flexibility is important, start creating the habit of expecting that others will honor the commitments you’ve made for yourself throughout your day. Ultimately, this is about nothing more or less than you radically honoring those commitments yourself. I realized very early in my career that if I didn’t respect my writing time, no one else would do it for me.

6. Don’t Constantly Check Email and Notifications

Finally, just say no to the notifications. Internet brain is a real thing . Largely, it is inescapable, but you can manage it. Minimize email and phone notifications to whatever degree is feasible in your life. The only push notifications I allow on my phone are texts and appointment reminders. I don’t allow notifications for email, blog comments, social media, apps, or anything else. I schedule times in my day to manually check all of those (an example of “batching” from “Do” #2, above), so that my attention is not fragmented throughout the day and I’m not tempted to detour off my schedule for who knows how long. More than that, I keep my phone in airplane mode most of the time and check it purposefully a couple times throughout the day so that my interactions are at my discretion rather than the other way around.

Time management for writers can make all the difference not just in how productive we actually are but in how fulfilled we feel at the end of the day. Learning to create realistic goals, to schedule tasks to match our energy flow, to make plans to control and avoid unnecessary distractions, and to create flexibility and grace within ourselves for when things inevitably don’t go according to plan—these are all skills that greatly enhance the quality of our lives and our writing.

Wordplayers, tell me your opinions! What have you found is the most helpful tip in time management for writers? Tell me in the comments!

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K.M. Weiland is the award-winning and internationally-published author of the acclaimed writing guides Outlining Your Novel , Structuring Your Novel , and Creating Character Arcs . A native of western Nebraska, she writes historical and fantasy novels and mentors authors on her award-winning website Helping Writers Become Authors.

Thanks for sharing your tips! I’m curious to know if you use any apps to support your time management. Personally, I find it incredibly helpful to have a convenient note-taking app. Throughout my day, I can quickly jot down ideas for different aspects of my story as they come to me. I also use it to record small details that I need to add to each part of the story or tips I come across online. By organizing these details in the app, I can then sit down at my desktop when I have time to write. I go through my notes, checking things off once I’ve incorporated them into my story. It has become my go-to tool for simplifying and organizing my writing process! I wonder if other writers do something similar.

I don’t use any apps in particular. I keep my to-dos and other notes in the Sticky Notes program on my computer. It’s not the most elegant solution, but it’s user-friendly and uncomplicated. The older I get, the more I appreciate that!

I also put sticky notes on my computer, usually names and places, so that I don’t have to continually scroll back in my text to refresh my memory.

Just to be clear, I’m talking about the program Sticky Notes that comes pre-installed on Windows computers. But I love me some paper stickies too 😉

Thanks for posting this! I especially like #7, the warm-up routine. We do it for sports and the gym, why not writing?

Exactly, right? And it helps so much for getting into the writing mindset and making the most of that time.

Thank you for this–needed it today.

I didn’t plan it that way, but it did turn out to be good timing during the holiday season, didn’t it? 😉

Thanks. I think you may actually be more of a “to do” person than I am, and I’ve been at it for 40 years! I think my most important tip is to periodically think about your todo lists, particularly anytime you feel like they are in charge of you rather than the other way around. They should help you push yourself, and create some pressure to do the things you want to do, but if you feel harassed by them – remember whose in charge!

I make use of various apps to help me with time management. Cold turkey to lock me out of the internet on my laptop and tablet, appblock to lock me out on my phone. Cold turkey also curates which sites are banned so i can go on wikipedia but not cnn or housing sites or you tube. I use a pomodoro app to time writing periods and breaks. I use write or die to gamify writing to word counts. Im trying to use dictation to speed up the writing process. Sometimes when im very distracted it can actually be more efficient to write with pen and paper. Often i will get myself started by giving myself 5 minutes to write the first 100 words, telling myself that is only 5 sentences. Frequently if i write the first 100 words in my notebook, then type them up, im ready to write more. I fibd it is less stressful to start in a notebook but more efficient to do most of the work typing hence the 100 word limit.

My tools are pretty basic. Microsoft Tasks to track my todo list – I’ve looked at other tools because Microsoft sometimes does unfortunate things with their apps. I do sometimes time my writing periods, and I just use my phone clock when I do.

Totally. That is something I’m always examining in my life. I have a tendency to go into automatic robot mode, which can be very productive, but I can also end up doings tasks on repeat long after they’ve outlived their efficacy.

Great Stuff! I think over time I have developed those same type of Do’s and Don’ts. It is ever a process and I think once it is mastered, time managment can be the greatest tool. It is hard! At the very least you have comfirmed some of my similar practices. THE WARM UP! I have never thought of that before. And just like Jason P. says, you do it for the gym but also cooking and getting up in the freakin’ morning. I’m sure there is more. Some days that I plan to write, I sit at my desk and stare. My fingers laying over the keys but refusing to type. Maybe I just didn’t warm up properly. You share in your link some of yours. Thank you so much. This could be one of those little things that helps me out tremendously. Cheers.

I’m beginning to think time management isn’t something we ever completely master. Every time I think I’ve got my schedule licked, something in my life changes, and I have to reexamine it. :p

Hi, KM! How I needed this! With my busy schedule beta reading, working on college assignments, tying to find a job and start my teaching business, I find it hard to write sometimes. Lately I’ve been procrastinating. I give myself an hour or so to write in the morning and evening, but I’ve found myself searching for other things to do instead. Writing is work, and if we don’t treat it like it, as in creating a schedule for it, we won’t get anything done. I especially like your 8th tip, writing in fifteen minute spurts. I try to write constantly for an hour. Sometimes it works and I’m in writing heaven, but most of the time I’m grinding trying to do it. Thanks again!

Nothing wrong with the grind. Although writers need to be careful about burnout, I think there can also be a damaging misconception that writing should be easy, should just flow–and that just isn’t the case 80% of the time.

My mom told me the “make yes your default” thing when I started college, and it’s such a relief to hear that’s not necessarily always correct. 😅 Thanks for the great post!

Every bit of advice is right in certain instances. The trick is figuring out which instances those are. 😉

I used to tackle the small, easy things first but I learned it’s more productive to tackle the priority tasks first as you can always fit the small things in at some point. But if ever I get overwhelmed by what needs to be done I stop and do something mundane like tidying out a drawer as it allows my brain to settle . As for writing, I write for an hour almost as soon as I wake up (and when I was commuting to the office I used to get up an hour earlier to make sure I could achieve this). I make a drink, take it to my desk and write; all before washing or dressing or even talking to family. Often I will return to write some more later in the day but if I don’t then at least I know I have achieved some writing that day. Even though I’m not really a morning person I find that during that first hour my mind hasn’t had the chance to become cluttered or distracted.

It can be a tricky balance. I like to get the big things in first, because otherwise I’m cramming by the end of the day, but sometimes starting with a big thing seems too overwhelming. I need something smaller and more automatic to let me ease into the brainspace.

Thank you for all the great tips! The ones I think I will find most helpful are on creating a quick warm up routine and respecting your own writing time. Very inspiring. Thank you!

Glad they were useful! 🙂

“Making schedules is the easy part; sticking with them is where the road can get rough.”

Thank you for this post. I’ll try to use this advice to better manage my own time.

I think Time Management is a ship we’re all sailing in together–and hoping we’re not going off course!

All great tips. I tend to stare at a piece of paper for about ten minutes and then it just all comes together and I go on a 15 minute writing tangent. I have finally realized that writing is more important than playing Forge of Empires and even my guild members in that game agree. Support from others is also a great help.

Yes, when all else fails (or before), accountability is a huge aid, in just about any area and pursuit.

This is so good, thank you! I’ve been so frustrated lately because I feel like I’m being pulled mentally in different directions. This is a perfect reminder that I have control of my time.

Honestly, I think that what we’re often seeking when studying “time management” is just a way to feel less distracted. With Internet brain these days, distraction is a high hurdle. Simplify, simplify, simplify–it’s easier said than done, but it is the answer.

I have not found any time management advice helpful, writing wise or other. At one point, my day job was so overwhelming that I was combing through any time management book I could find. They all said the same thing, and I felt like I was broken.

For example, everyone says some form of “put it on your calendar.” I can’t do that. If I do, it’s very painful and difficult, and then I ignore it completely (and please don’t tell me I lack discipline. I was in the Army for 11 years). Nor could I do things like set word count or production goals—I’d just ignore the goal entirely. I was so frustrated with time management advice that after I did a lot of work on during COVID at my day job, I wrote a book on it (currently in StoryBundle). As it turned out, I discovered Clifton Strengths and took the test. For those who know what I’m talking about: 1. Intellection, 2 Ideation, 3 Input 4 Adaptability and 5 Futuristic.

It explained a lot because the strength for using typical time management advice is my bottom 10. My #4 strength is why I can’t do goals or schedules. I went to a writers conference a few weeks ago. At a mastermind meeting, everyone started talking about themselves–mainly goals or wanting a production schedule or word count goal. I was the only one there who said, “I can’t do goals.” My adaptability is very much in the now, though it makes me the one you want in an emergency.

It’s so important for each person to understand themselves, their true goals, and the unique challenges presented by their circumstances and especially their biology and personality. There is no one-size-fits-all remedy. Even for a single person, the target often keeps moving, creating the need for evolving solutions.

These do’s and don’ts of time management are sparking a lot of resonance for me, and yes, it’s my job. I’m a chauffeur and the hours I work are only a part of the hours I work. If I have three one-hour jobs scheduled for a day, there is the almost two hours that I take, showering, dressing and driving to work to pick up my vehicle for the day (which may become two or more vehicles by the end of the day). At the end of the day I must bring the vehicle back to the office, make sure it’s cleaned out and often lock up the company lot as I leave. then there are the hours between each of those three jobs, and maybe another job added to my schedule (or even one job that gets unexpectedly cancelled). I often see three job days become 10-12 hours. Still, I am working steadily on my thriller novel and have been for the past five years. At this moment I give myself to December 31 to finish the story arc, end to end. Add to this, I am 74 years old and this is my retirement gig. Retirement for me is a vague and elusive concept. I love it.

That’s inspiring, Patrick!

Thank you for this. After 20+ years in academia, you’d think that I’d be good at scheduling research and writing time… but Noooooo. I’ve never thought about batching tasks and I really like this idea.

Haha, I think it gets harder the longer we live, just because there’s more to manage. Even just the number of emails saved in folders on my computer is way higher than fifteen years ago.

Timers! My writing lives and dies by timers. Thanks to Joseph Michael and his Unchained Writers group, I write for three timed hours every day. It’s changed my life.

Wow, that’s great! Good for you!

Great tips! I think time management for writers could be a whole book. I know it’s been an issue for me for years. I’m always amazed at people who have day jobs and still manage to write two or ten books a year.

That “dreamzoning” thing you said is interesting. I’ve never heard that before. But after reading what you had to say about it, I agree that I’ve done it before. When I’m staring at my monitor, yet I’m not seeing anything. I’m “seeing” the scene that’s going through my head. It’s pretty neat now that i think about it. The mind is cool. Thanks for the tips here. I feel like time management is one of my biggest problems as a writer.

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Time Management Tips For Writing an Essay

How to start, which place are you now, where do you want to go, tips for time management, 1. create a schedule, 2. use a timer, 3. to-do lists help organize your tasks, 4. start writing early or write late in the evening, 5. don't be afraid to wait until you are in the mood to write, 6. widen the definitions of what you mean by writing, 7. start by taking on the tough stuff first, 8. don't be fooled by the myth of multitasking, 9. outsource the fewer essentials, 10. you should spend more time planning and less time editing, 11. make sure you write your words down before you start, 12. utilize your daytime work hours to relax, 13. batch similar activities, 15. delegate tasks, 16. accept your limitations, 17. limit distractions, 18. modify the notification settings on your smartphone, 19. check your email less, the benefits of time management, 1. stress relief, 2. more time, 3. more opportunities, 4. capability to accomplish the goals.

Joe Eckel Author Having spent more than 25 years guiding students through their theses and dissertations with great attention, Joe Eckel is now sharing his valuable experience with StudyCrumb. As a passionate researcher and instructor, he makes sure that each student gets precious insights on composing A-grade academic writing.

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Writing Tips

5 Time Management Tricks to Improve Your Writing

clock, pen, notebook, and phone on a white desk

Writing is the most important thing we do every day (at least in the office). But to write well, you must use your writing time efficiently. Managing your time helps you write faster and improve focus. Good time management can also help you reduce stress and make time for other to-do’s outside of writing.

How Do You Get Better at Time Management?

As I discussed in our post about writer’s block , the key to writing well is to edit, edit, edit. But how do you find the time to edit multiple drafts when you also need to go to meetings, handle other projects, and attend to your personal needs? Free up your time and check out our strategies below.

1. Avoid Distractions

Electronic and human interruptions can disrupt your thought process, so minimize them. It’s natural to want to remain connected, but you must find calm to write.

Start by turning off email and phone notifications. This endless stream of notifications poses a distraction to writing. Scientists have proven that trying to multitask can harm productivity and impede the creative process . So keep your smartphone and laptop away from you (or better yet, turn off notifications) when you write.

Though enjoyable, interacting with people can get distracting, too, so set aside some time when you’ll close your office door and focus on work. Just let your team know when you’re ready to answer their questions. If you’re in a chatty office, you can also try headphones to block noise and reduce interruptions. Even if you don’t play any music , just slipping on those headphones gives your colleagues a clear “Do Not Disturb” signal.

2. Set Clear Goals

Set goals to help you manage your time better. Having specific targets in mind can keep you on the right path and help you accomplish your goals—this is true for the written work product and the time you’ll spend writing it.

For your project, start by listing objectives. If we list our objectives before we write, we need not worry about forgetting something important. Plus sorting through our ideas first helps us see the best way to make them flow. Your list may become an outline, which will help you organize the details of your paper, presentation, study, or document. An outline anchors your main topic and supporting details so your content flows better.

Try setting a writing schedule to manage your time. It helps to set a fixed schedule, even if you aren’t working in the office. For example, you can write from 7:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. daily. Don’t challenge yourself too much to the point you get discouraged. Set daily, achievable targets instead. An achievable daily schedule will help reinforce your writing habit.

3. Prioritize Tough Tasks

Have you ever worked on low priority, easy tasks to avoid working on the daunting one? Don’t fool yourself into believing this false productivity—your writing task remains unfinished. The best way to handle this is to face the task head on.

When writers prioritize their most challenging tasks, they’re “eating the frog.” What does that mean? Brian Tracy, the author of the best-selling book Eat That Frog , explains that if it’s anyone’s job to eat a frog, they should do it first thing in the morning. And if it’s their job to eat two frogs, they should start with eating the bigger one first. This nugget of wisdom also applies when writing, so prioritize and work on your most difficult tasks first.

4. Don’t Strive for Perfection

I wrote four drafts of this piece before I felt comfortable sending it to my editor, and he often writes eight or ten drafts before he’s satisfied with his own work. Remember: no one gets it right the first time.

My strategy is to write the first draft as I would speak it. I imagine myself explaining it to a friend, and I take notes on what I hear myself saying. That becomes my first draft, and it gets easier from there. I put it aside to attend a meeting, answer an email, or refill my water bottle.

When I return to my last draft, I look for clunky phrases and stylistic inconsistencies. After that, I run it through WordRake before starting my final round of edits, where I focus on patterns I know I should avoid, like repetitive topic sentences. Then, I scan the document one last time for typos and homonyms to ensure everything is cohesive and error-free.

5. Write in Short Spurts

Writing need not be a daylong task for it to be valuable; you can work in shorter spurts. Any time we have fifteen minutes—or even five minutes—we can often revise another draft. Even just a few of these short writing sessions can help you refine your piece and see it with fresh eyes.

Many people refer to these bursts of work as using the Pomodoro technique. It’s an effective time-management strategy that teaches you how to work in focused, 25-minute intervals. It’s a great way to stay focused and productive if you have little free time on your hands.

Improve Your Writing with Better Time Management Skills

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Date: March 3, 2016
Author: Jan Fields
Category: Writing for Children Blog
Tags: Time Management

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Time management tips when you have no time to manage.

The struggle to fit creative pursuits into a full schedule is something nearly every creative person knows well. So many demands on your time simply cannot be put aside. And when you do have time to sit down and write, writer’s block can be a very real thing.

So how do so many people manage to fit in both busy life and work activities and writing? There are a few things that can help, so let’s look at seven time management tips to help you have more successful creative efforts, even in a very busy day.

Time Management Tip #1 – Give up perfection.

This is probably the most important tip, but it can also be the hardest.

Well, one thing nearly every single professional writer I know who is also a mom has in common: giving up the struggle to be perfect.

Handing off a chore so someone who can do it may result in results that aren’t as good, but in the end, most of us would rather count our successful books than gloat over our perfect bed-making or completely dust-free house.

I know my house comes with dust and less than flawless floors, but it also comes with a writer bringing in a considerable amount of income from that creative pursuit.

Time Management Tip #2 – Don’t swamp yourself with goals.

This is a companion tip that is related to that perfectionism. We set big goals for ourselves and quickly become overwhelmed. Also, goals that aren’t under our control will quickly lead to feelings of failure and loss.

As writers we can’t make people do things. So goals like: “have three stories accepted” or “have an agent” are setting you up for failure because you cannot control the actions of editors or agents.

So make your goals based on things entirely in your control: “research elementary level magazines that buy fiction” and “send out three stories” and “research agents who list my kind of book and make a ranked list of who I’d most like” are goals that are completely up to you, so less likely to swamp you. And give yourself reasonable time limits to meet the goals.

If you miss your self-imposed “deadline,” celebrate if you got closer to it and keep working toward the goal.

Time Management Tip #3 – Don’t give up on exercise.

When you’re crazy busy and you’re trying to squeeze in some writing, one of the first things we tend to give up is exercise, because it’s something we do “just for us.” But there are few things that prime the creative pump better than a long walk (whether the walk is in the neighborhood or on the treadmill). Some of the most successful writers I know have learned to force themselves to get up early and exercise in order to feed that creativity.

Time Management Tip #4 – Map your most creative time of day, and make use of it.

If you’re a morning person and your job starts early, then you might want to consider going to bed well before “grown-up bedtime” so that you can get up super early and write.

If your most creative time is at night, but you have to get up early for work, try to sneak in a nap during the day so you can stay up late and get down the words.

Juggling your schedule can be tricky, but not allowing your most creative time to be spent in non-creative pursuits will let you get productive hours for creativity.

Time Management Tip #5 – Carry a notebook with you everywhere.

To this I’ll add a proviso: in the notebook, make a list of value things you could do with it. “Brainstorm 3 middle grade characters, listing traits, looks, and a sample bit of dialogue.” Or “Write a sensory map of the place where you are right now: include looks, smells, sounds, and other details.”

By having things already in your notebook, you’ll save yourself from the dreaded “blank page” where you have a spare moment, but you have no idea what to do with it.

Time Management Tip #6 – Don’t let things pile up.

One of the main reasons life becomes overwhelmingly busy is because we let things pile up. We move things out of the way instead of putting them away. We work around problems instead of solving them. And this avoidance sucks out time as we have to come up with ways to work around the chore we didn’t do, and makes the chore especially time-consuming when we finally get to it.

It also results in our spending pointless time looking for things because we set them down where it was convenient instead of putting them where we naturally look for them later. This is a huge problem for creative people because we’re so easily distracted, but it’s a huge time thief.

Time Management Tip #7 – Make Time for You.

Down time can be very creative, and it lets you do the things writers need to do: think, read, rest. Exhausted people and those who feel endlessly pressured often find writers-block to be a constant companion. No matter how service-oriented your personality might be, if every moment of every day is devoted to the needs of other people, you’re risking personal burnout and finding your well of creativity exhausted.

So give yourself a break (or several) and don’t give up on down time. It’ll make the time you do turn to you writing much easier and more productive.

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15 Best Time Management Books to Read

By: Angela Robinson | Updated: July 18, 2022

You found our list of the best time management books of all time.

Time management books are guides that help readers organize tasks and use hours more effectively. These works cover topics such as organization, focus, and defeating procrastination. The purpose of these books is to help professionals arrange their work lives for optimal output and minimal stress.

These works are similar to habit books , business books , office management books , and books on professional strategy . The books include time management tips .

This list includes:

books on time management and productivity
time and stress management books
time management improvement books
time management leadership books
time management and organization books

Here we go!

List of time management books

Here is a list of new and bestselling books on time management for professionals who want to achieve more and stress less.

1. Deep Work: Rules for Focused Success in a Distracted World by Cal Newport

Deep Work is one of the best books on time management and productivity. This guide presents a masterclass in tuning out distractions and hyperfocusing. The book explores the merits of an unflinching work ethic, and explains guidelines and training methods for concentrating. The book’s second half lays out tips for working more efficiently, including baring boredom, blocking out social media, preventing interruptions, and achieving peak “deep work.” Deep Work is an actionable guide for learning how to focus intentionally in a world where constant disturbances battle for our attention.

Notable Quote: “Efforts to deepen your focus will struggle if you don’t simultaneously wean your mind from a dependence on distraction.”

Read Deep Work .

2. Getting Things Done: The Art of Stress-Free Productivity by David Allen

Getting Things Done is one of the best selling time management improvement books. This edition is an updated version of the classic guide to managing tasks and mastering workflow. The text presents organizational systems and best practices that help readers accomplish more tasks and worry less, including visuals like flow charts. The central idea of this book is that human brains can only store and focus on limited amounts of information at one time, and tackling tasks as they come can prevent overwhelm. Acting swiftly prevents responsibilities from piling up or getting forgotten. Getting Things Don e presents a GTD system that helps readers organize workflows and react appropriately to prompts.

Notable Quote: “If you don’t pay appropriate attention to what has your attention, it will take more of your attention than it deserves.”

Read Getting Things Done: The Art of Stress-Free Productivity .

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3. The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People: Powerful Lessons in Personal Change by Stephen Covey

7 habits of highly effective people book cover

The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People is one of the most popular time management books of all time. This classic highlights practices that separate productive individuals and high achievers from the rest of the population.

These seven habits are as follows:

Be proactive
Begin with the end in mind
Put first things first
Think win/win
Seek first to understand, and then to be understood
Sharpen the saw (aka, take time to recharge)

Covey explores each habit in depth and illustrates his points by using concrete anecdotes. The book offers advice on how to embody these traits and become more successful in personal and professional life. The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People teaches readers how to take control of each moment and stop wasting time on inefficient actions.

Notable Quote: “But until a person can say deeply and honestly, “I am what I am today because of the choices I made yesterday,” that person cannot say, “I choose otherwise.”

Read The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People .

4. Eat That Frog!: 21 Great Ways to Stop Procrastinating and Get More Done in Less Time by Brian Tracy

Mark Twain famously said, “if it’s your job to eat a frog, it’s best to do it first thing in the morning. And If it’s your job to eat two frogs, it’s best to eat the biggest one first.” This book revolves around that philosophy. Brian Tracy prescribes ways to beat procrastination and gain momentum by tackling the most challenging tasks head on. The book offers tips like planning the day ahead of time, cutting big tasks into smaller chunks, reminding yourself of consequences, and using technology to your advantage.

Notable Quote: “One of the very worst uses of time is to do something very well that need not to be done at all.”

Read Eat That Frog!

5. 168 Hours: You Have More Time Than You Think by Laura Vanderkam

168 Hours provides a framework for how to structure your days in ways that leave time to do what is important to you. Laura Vanderkam aims to overturn the myth of the time crunch, and challenges readers to clear their weekly to-do lists by prioritizing the most important tasks and offloading nonessentials. The main parts of the book explain how to structure time at home and at work to build a well-rounded, active life. 168 Hours offers a breakdown of how to best use limited time to live a fulfilling life.

Notable Quote: “Knock a few of these easy items off first, then look for ways to minimize more complicated time traps.”

Read 168 Hours: You Have More Time Than You Think .

6. The 80/20 Principle: The Secret to Achieving More with Less by Richard Koch

The 80/20 Principle is a manifesto for accomplishing great results with minimal effort. The 80/20 rule asserts that 80% of results come from 20% of efforts. By this logic, the key to success is not to stay busy, but rather to invest the most energy and focus into the 20%, or the most essential priorities and tasks. The first part of the book explains the idea in depth, tracing the history and exploring related academic concepts. The middle section focuses on applying the 80/20 concept to the corporate world, and gives advice on topics like employing simple strategies and finding the right customers. The book ends with reflections on how to reduce time waste, reclaim free time, and operate more efficiently in all aspects of life.

Notable Quote: “It is not shortage of time that should worry us, but the tendency for the majority of time to be spent in low-quality ways.”

Read The 80/20 Principle .

7. When: The Scientific Secrets of Perfect Timing by Daniel Pink

when the secret of perfect timing book cover

When: The Scientific Secrets of Perfect Timing is a deep dive into the world of timing. Daniel Pink relies on sciences, psychology, sociology, and economics to draw conclusions about how timing affects motivation and success. Pink uses a combination of data and anecdotes to illustrate patterns and points and craft a compelling read. The book explores topics such as the emotional significance of beginnings, middle, and endings, the restorative power of breaks, and the art of team synchronization. When: The Scientific Secrets of Perfect Timing shows how you can achieve more and better manage your time by embracing inertia and choosing the opportune moment to act.

Notable Quote: “If we stick with a task too long, we lose sight of the goal.”

Read When .

8. Essentialism: The Disciplined Pursuit of Less by Greg McKeown

Essentialism: The Disciplined Pursuit of Less is one of the most helpful time and stress management books. Greg McKeown advocates not for doing more, but doing what is essential. In other words, prioritizing the most critical tasks and honing in on the most important ideas. While many folks boast about having hectic schedules, this book explains how staying busy is actually a less disciplined approach. Focusing on the right areas and committing to a singular task is more of a challenge than multitasking. Each chapter focuses on a simplifying behavior such as making decisions, setting boundaries, and removing obstacles. Essentialism: The Disciplined Pursuit of Less is a manifesto on minimalism, self-care, and frictionless work.

Notable Quote: “Essentialists see trade-offs as an inherent part of life, not as an inherently negative part of life. Instead of asking, “What do I have to give up?” they ask, “What do I want to go big on?”

Read Essentialism: The Disciplined Pursuit of Less .

9. The Productivity Project: Accomplishing More by Managing Your Time, Attention, and Energy by Chris Bailey

The Productivity Project is a study that centers around finding ideal working conditions. Over the course of a year, author Chris Bailey conducted a series of productivity experiments on himself and recorded his results. In the process, he gained valuable insights about time management, which he is now sharing in this book. Bailey shares the actions that had the biggest impact on his output, for example, slow down and work more deliberately, and schedule less time for important tasks. The book pairs these first person experiences and observations with research and interviews with leading productivity experts. The Productivity Project is a collection of tested techniques that serves as a reminder that work is not just about the amount of time spent, but the yields of that time.

Notable Quote: “Busyness is no different from laziness when it doesn’t lead you to accomplish anything.”

Read The Productivity Project .

10. Organize Tomorrow Today: 8 Ways to Retrain Your Mind to Optimize Performance at Work and in Life by Jason Selk,Tom Bartow, and Matthew Rudy

Organize Tomorrow Today is a book that emphasizes the role mindset plays in time management. Dr. Jason Selk is a performance coach that trains top athletes and executives, and Tom Bartlow is a former college basketball coach who became a top-grossing financial advisor. The authors use their sports backgrounds to preach the mental aspects of performance. The book shows that time management is a matter of willpower and practice. Chapters cover topics such as plotting out your days, persevering through difficult times, pep-talking yourself and others, and working under pressure. One of the book’s most useful tips is to get into the habit of starting continually rather than aiming to work continuously for eight hours. Organize Tomorrow Today is a practical playbook for hardwiring your mind for productivity and long-term success.

Notable Quote: “Greatness is predicated on consistently doing things others can’t or won’t do. Simply put, success is not about being brilliant. It is about being consistent.”

Read Organize Tomorrow Today .

11. Clockwork: Design Your Business to Run Itself by Mike Michalowicz

Clockwork: Design Your Business to Run Itself is one of the best time management leadership books. This book teaches owners, entrepreneurs, and bosses how to stop micromanaging and gain more free-time through careful design. This guide shows owners how to empower staff to solve problems instead of spending time constantly putting out fires. Mike Michalowicz shows entrepreneurs how to build systems that operate smoothly without constant interference or guidance, and helps owners reclaim free time instead of working constantly and being on-call 24/7. Clockwork is the ultimate guide for running a business instead of letting it run you. The book is a crash course in time management for managers.

Notable Quote: “It turns out that productivity doesn’t get you out of the doing: it just gets you doing more.”

Read Clockwork , and check out more books on management .

12. Four Thousand Weeks: Time Management for Mortals by Oliver Burkeman

Four Thousand Weeks is one of the newest books about managing time. This work takes a more philosophical and spiritual approach compared to most books in the genre. Drawing on historical evidence, psychological principles, and the musings of great thinkers, Oliver Burkeman challenges modern productivity norms and questions the quest to stay forever busy. Four Thousand Weeks reminds readers that life is short, and suggests strategies for spending time on meaningful pursuits. The book also explains how to overcome anxiety over the uncontrollable and be more mindful of the moment instead of projecting into the future.

Notable Quote: “The real problem isn’t our limited time. The real problem–or so I hope to convince you– is that we’ve unwittingly inherited, and feel pressured to live by, a troublesome set of ideas about how to use our limited time, all of which are pretty much guaranteed to make things worse.”

Read Four Thousand Weeks .

13. Make Time: How to Focus on What Matters Every Day by Jake Knapp and John Zeratsky

Make Time is one of the greatest time management and organization books. Jake Knapp is a veteran of Google and the creator of the company’s design sprint, while John Zeratsky is a journalist whose work on technology companies has appeared in The Wall Street Journal , Harvard Business Review , and Time . The authors show how to take control of your attention and say no to things that do not serve you. This book presents time management as an intentional practice that involves putting on blinders to the demands of modern life and narrowing in on the most meaningful tasks, projects, and pursuits. Make Time offers a toolkit to take control of your schedule and

Notable Quote: “Perfection is a distraction—another shiny object taking your attention away from your real priorities.”

Read Make Time .

14. Time Management in 20 Minutes a Day: Simple Strategies to Increase Productivity, Enhance Creativity, and Make Your Time Your Own by by Holly Reisem Hanna

Time Management in 20 Minutes a Day is a short and simple guide to getting the most out of each day. The book is around 100 pages, yet is chock full of useful tips and information and contains very little fluff. Holly Reisem Hanna offers practical and actionable tips to save time such as setting up automatic email filters, scheduling designated time to check your inbox, creating virtual filing systems and to-do lists, and making “stop-doing” lists. The author offers doable basic instructions and suggestions instead of merely preaching time management philosophy. The book also includes lists of time management resources, productivity apps, and time-saving services that can further help readers reclaim hours of their days.

Notable Quote: “Creating new habits and introducing new strategies takes time and effort. You can’t just snap your fingers and instantly become more productive. You have to be willing to do a little work on the front end so that you can reap the benefits on the back end.”

Read Time Management in 20 Minutes a Day .

15. The 4-Hour Workweek: Escape 9-5, Live Anywhere, and Join the New Rich by Tim Ferriss

The 4-Hour Workweek is one of the most popular books on time management of all time. In this bestseller, Tim Ferriss suggests strategies for increasing income without increasing workload. For instance, by outsourcing tasks, embracing automation, and working in bursts. The book backs up these claims with case studies and examples of successful practitioners of this lifestyle. The 4-Hour Workweek urges readers to enjoy life in the moment instead of delaying gratification until retirement, and lays out a blueprint for an alternative professional life that does not involve working around the clock.

Notable Quote: “Someday” is a disease that will take your dreams to the grave with you. Pro and con lists are just as bad. If it’s important to you and you want to do it “eventually,” just do it and correct course along the way.”

Read The 4-Hour Workweek .

Final Thoughts

If you struggle with your to-do list, then you may think that the last thing you should do is to stop and read a book. However, investing a few hours to read books on time management can help you learn new techniques to structure your day and help you to become more productive and efficient.

For more reading, check out this list of organizational behavior books and these focus books .

Next, check out our list of the best Pomodoro timers to help manage your time, and we also have a guide to 4 day workweeks .

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FAQ: Time management books

Here are answers to common questions about books on time management.

What are time management books?

Time management books are works full of productivity hacks and organizational tips intended to help professionals better structure the work day.

What are some good books on time management?

Some good books on time management include Eat That Frog! by Brian Tracy, Essentialism: The Disciplined Pursuit of Less by Greg McKeown, The 4-Hour Workweek by Tim Ferriss, and Time Management in 20 Minutes a Day by Holly Reisem Hanna.

What are the best time management books for work?

The best time management books for work include Deep Work by Cal Newport, The 80/20 Principle by Richard Koch, The Productivity Project by Chris Bailey, and Getting Things Done by David Allen.

Why should you read books on time management?

You should read books on time management because these works can help you simplify your schedule, develop stronger focus, clarify priorities, reduce time waste, lessen stress, and achieve better results.

Author: Angela Robinson

Marketing Coordinator at teambuilding.com. Angela has a Master of Fine Arts in Creative Writing and worked as a community manager with Yelp to plan events for businesses.

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7 [Smart] Time Management Strategies for Creative Writers

by Lesley V.
February 24, 2023 April 28, 2023

Time management strategies are rules and principles you follow to be more productive and efficient, make faster decisions, and accomplish more in less effort and time.

Time management strategies are many, and most articles continue describing the same over and over again: Pomodoro, task delegating, to-do lists, avoiding distractions, etc. — been there, done that.

“Why not be more specific?” we thought and decided to gather tips on time management for creative writers.

It’s one thing to keep a clear schedule when dealing with technical tasks or those possible to automate and foresee the completion time; creative work is a different thing, requiring extra flexibility and focus to balance everything.

What time management struggles do writers face? What are their issues depending on the time management style they have? Which time management strategies may work for people whose daily tasks require imagination, idea generation, creative thinking, and constant motivation to continue?

Here go the answers.

Time Management Skills We All Need to Be Productive

Most time management strategies draw on the same practices:

Write down what you need to do.
Prioritize and do urgent tasks first; save time for routine tasks and breaks.
Track progress, identify lags, and manage accordingly.

It’s all about choices: You decide what you need to reach a goal, when you need it to be done, and how you choose it to be done for better results.

For these choices to appear correct and work in your favor, you make them based on a set of skills. This bunch of abilities is a must for stellar time management and productivity.

Self-awareness: Knowing who you are and what you want helps with goal-setting and choosing instruments for those goals achievement.
Stress management: It allows you to understand when it’s better to prevent a problem than later spend time dealing with it.
Communication: You need this skill for building relations, explaining the necessity of performing a task, and delegating some tasks when appropriate.
Decision-making: If you can’t make decisions, you won’t understand the time and resources necessary for success.
Goal-setting: Clear goals make solutions faster to come.
Focus: This skill is about ignoring distractions and concentrating on significant tasks to complete.
Organization: It helps you make the right decisions and understand when to start for them to bring the most results.
Prioritization: This ability helps manage time wiser.
Planning: Critical for understanding how much time you’ll spend on a task and how to organize your day or week accordingly.
Patience: This ability to work with no rush is about time management, either. Sometimes it’s worth spending more time on a task than revising it after doing it on-the-fly.

All of them help you understand your time management style with all issues it brings (more on that below) and decide on time management techniques for work that will help manage your particular struggles and be efficient in your case.

Top 5 Time Management Struggles for Writers

Why is it often so challenging for writers to manage time?

Spoiler: It’s not because of their creative nature some people use as an excuse for their procrastination and inability to meet deadlines. (Let’s face it, we all heard those stereotypes about creatives being messy, undisciplined, and only working when inspiration comes.)

Due to the nature of their work, writers struggle with a few obstacles when trying to manage their time more effectively. These obstacles are five:

Multitasking: Often, a writer, especially a freelancer, works on multiple projects simultaneously.
Balance: A writer needs to meet writing deadlines and, at the same time, manage the organizational work and communication with existing and new clients.
Focus: It’s hard to switch from text to text or project to project without distractions.
Flexibility: A writer needs to be loose enough to deal with unforeseen circumstances yet maintain the work structure and balance to meet deadlines.
Expectations: It’s hard to predict how much time one text may take to complete or how many words you’ll write in a day, given that the writing process takes much more than writing itself. A writer needs time for idea generation, topic planning, research, outline creation, writing the first draft, proofreading and editing , revising according to the editor’s (client’s) notes, etc.

It’s critical to consider all these obstacles for stellar time management and choose techniques that suit your time management style.

What Is Your Time Management Style?

A time management style is a prevailing method of dealing with work.

Depending on it, some time management strategies won’t work for one person but come in handy for others. When you know your style and all the issues it brings, you’ll understand which techniques will help organize your work.

Time management styles are six. See below and try to find yourself:

7 Time Management Techniques for Creative Writers

And now, to time management in writing:

We know that you’ll find dozens of universal strategies, tips, and techniques on time management online, so we did our best to focus on those suiting creative writers in particular.

So, here they are, 7 strategies of time management for creative writers.

1 – Organize a Writing Area

We’ve heard that thousands of times already: Everything a writer needs for work is a laptop with internet access. Ah, all those inspiring stories about writing on the beach or freelancing in a bed with a cup of coffee and a cat at hand!

Sure, you can do that. But it has nothing to do with time management.

For productive and high-quality work, you need a writing area. It’s a place specifically designed for work, the one you’ll use for nothing but writing. Even if it’s a small corner in your room, do your best to organize it as a workspace:

Put a table .
Ensure good lighting: Daylight is best (if possible, place the table close to a window), but a desk lamp with color temperatures around 3500-4000K will also work. Such temperatures stimulate the brain and can influence your productivity.
Have an ergonomic, comfortable chair to support your back.
Put a plant : Not only will it clean the air and destress you, but it will also increase your productivity and boost creativity .
Add a pinch of inspiration. Think of what inspires you and makes you feel positive emotions: motivational quotes, pictures of your family, beautiful views of seas or mountains, books, etc. Decorate your writing area accordingly.

More beautiful workspace styles here

Why have a writing area for better time management?

It’s a signal to your brain: When I sit here, I work! It’s a psychological trick that helps you focus on work, avoid distractions, control time, and stick to your working plan.

2 – Plan Everything and Stick to That Plan

Yes, we know: Sometimes it’s hard to plan writing because you can’t automate the process and count how long it will take to complete a particular writing project. Some write an article for 3-4 hours, while others need 2-3 days to complete a draft. (After all, you have to consider many related factors: the complexity of the topic, the need for prior research, collecting the necessary information for the article, etc.)

You need to plan every step and stick to it. Planning will help you organize the whole process even when you can’t tell in advance how many hours you will spend on the task.

The trick is to have to-do lists for a month, a week, and a day where you’ll break tasks into small, manageable sub-tasks .

Bad: “Write a blog post for EasyEssay by the end of February.”
Good: Feb 20-25: Blog post “7 Time Management Strategies for Creative Writers.” Feb 20, 10am-12am: topic research, references, outline. Feb 21, 2pm-6pm: draft writing. Feb 23, 2pm-6pm: draft writing. Feb 24, 10am-1pm: proofreading, editing.

How to plan:

10-12 minutes invested in planning your day will save at least 2 hours of wasted time and effort throughout the day. Source

Make a to-do list at the end of each day when you see where to resume the following day.

Start a day identifying MITs (most important tasks) and completing them first. (Even if you don’t accomplish everything from your to-do list for that day, the most critical work will be done.)

Set a deadline for every sub-task in your list: It will help focus and motivate you to finish on time.

Proper planning is about goal-setting, prioritization, confidence, and enhanced creativity — all necessary for stellar time management.

3 – Prepare Topics and Outlines Beforehand

That’s how most non-writers imagine the process:

You sit at a monitor, see the title of a story (blog post, article, you name it), and just start typing it. Word by word. Like this:

The ugly truth of life:

First, you create a content plan, deciding on the topics that will be interesting to the audience and relevant to your content strategy. For that, you research the market:

Examine what others have written on those topics
Check if your target audience wants this content from you
Decide on its keywords, format , and presentation angle

Second, you create a list of topics that might (potentially!) work.

Third, you search for references and create an outline for each topic.

And finally, you sit in front of a monitor, see the outline and references, and start writing a draft. You build a text block by block. Word by word.

Topic research, content planning, and outlining take a huge amount of time! To organize it for more efficient work and better productivity, make it a separate task in your to-do list : Prepare topics and outlines in advance to save time while writing.

4 – Forget About Inspiration to Come

This one is short yet clear:

Writing is not about inspiration but discipline.

You will never finish that book, short story, or blog post if you sit and wait for inspiration.

Time management in writing can’t coexist with waiting for a muse or a mood to come. Bestselling writers like Stephen King agree: They develop a writing discipline because writing is also a work for them, not just an art.

Writing web texts for clients, you can’t rely on inspiration, either: “I had no mood for writing today” will hardly work as an excuse for missing deadlines.

5 – Find Your Perfect Writing Time

Have you ever heard of a golden hour?

The term comes from photography and filming: It’s the final hour of a day when the light looks soft, making people look beautiful on camera, so it’s high time to get a perfect shot.

In writing, a golden hour is a time when you feel most creative and productive to do your best work. It’s two or three hours when you are the most focused and energized. Often, it’s somewhere around:

4am-7am, for early birds who wake up before sunrise and start working while others still sleep.
11am-2pm, for afternoon athletes who need some time to finish a morning routine before jumping into action.
11pm-2am, for night owls who find it more comfortable to work in silence when others get asleep.

Your golden hour depends on your circadian rhythms. When do you feel more productive: mornings or evenings? Once you identify your golden hour, plan your working day accordingly:

Do the most challenging or creative writing tasks during that time.

6 – Shut Up Your Inner Critic While Writing

The simple yet so often-ignored rule of productive writing:

When you are writing, write!

Nothing special, but most creative writers forget about it: They doubt which word to use , how to start a passage, or whether their skills are enough to engage a reader. They recheck every sentence while writing.

Their inner critic whispers from behind a shoulder that their draft is a sh*t, the writing style is lame, and the overall storyline is boring. They want their texts to be perfect, and they re-write and edit them during the writing process to polish them to shine.

If you are such a writer, then stop doing that!

Perfectionism and impostor syndrome are your two most evil enemies here. When writing a draft, do not focus on how you write: You’ll have time to revise it later. Writing and editing are two tasks, so you can’t do them simultaneously if you crave better time management: Multitasking doesn’t work .

For better time management, concentrate and maintain focus on one task. It will help you get “in the zone,” aka “ flow state of mind ,” when you feel accomplished and happy with what you do, thus doing it faster.

Speaking of editing, by the way:

Forget about perfectionism here. You can edit your draft endlessly (there will always be something to improve), but you also have other tasks on your to-do list, haven’t you? Learn to see when the draft is “good enough” to stop polishing it and move on to other texts.

7 – Use Procrastination to Your Benefit

While most consider procrastination bad, blaming themselves for it and trying numerous techniques to beat it, creative people can use this monster to their benefit.

How can your procrastination help you manage time and be more productive?

Use it for:

Generating new writing ideas: When you feel stuck and unable to write, spend that time brainstorming fresh topics for your future texts.
Advancing your existing ideas: Don’t hurry up to approve the very first writing idea coming to your mind; procrastinate a bit to follow up on it, see its pros and cons, and understand how to enhance it for better results.
Destressing: You know that you need breaks to stay productive, right? Twenty minutes of procrastination after 90 minutes of working will help you destress, recharge, and continue writing with a fresh eye.

Ready to Audit Your Time Management Strategies?

Now that you have so much information in your pocket, why not stop for a moment and check your writing schedule? How do you organize and use your working time? Do your time management strategies work for you?

Once you understand your time management style with all the issues it brings to your self-organization skills, you’ll know which time management strategies will work for you.

Add them to your toolkit, hire help when necessary , and remember to reward yourself for getting the job done. It’s another trick to “cheat” the brain and enhance productivity: Anticipation of reward will encourage you to work faster to get it.

4 thoughts on “7 [Smart] Time Management Strategies for Creative Writers”

Your post emphasizes the importance of time management. I read tons of corresponding articles with tips on how to organize time, but yours surprised me with the angle you choose – to focus on writers 🙂 The examples of workspaces you provided are really stylish and inspiring! I think I need to try something like that in my apartment.

Thank you for sharing. I worried that I lacked creative ideas, and your article made me full of hope. Cheers!

This article has revealed a few new time management techniques to try! Thanks!

Given the speed you use working on this blog’s content, I have no doubts it will become well-known soon! Thank you for sharing such comprehensive articles!

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Purdue Online Writing Lab Purdue OWL® College of Liberal Arts

Time Management: Conquering Long Assignments

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Time management is a struggle for students of all levels. Long assignments can make this issue worse because procrastination can compound over time, especially when the assignment has several components. Rushing to finish at the last second may be impossible. Even if it's not, opting for this strategy can drastically decrease the quality of your work and increase the likelihood of making an embarassing error (like misinterpreting your teacher's directions).

Thus, when dealing with a long assigment, time management becomes crucial. Working at a manageable pace over a long stretch of time minimizes stress and maximizes the quality of your work. Below, we've provided some tips that can help you stay on-task over the long haul.

Make a realistic plan of action...

When you receive your assignment, make sure to highlight when any due dates your instructor has specified. Some longer assignments will have specific sections due throughout the semester, so be sure to mark these in your calendar.
Is there a rubric (and if so, can you see it/have a copy)?
What will your instructor pay most attention to when grading? What elements are weighted the highest?
What can you do to succeed on the assignment?
Does your instructor have any tips for specific practices you can implement to do well on the various components?
What does your instructor most want you to learn from this assignment?
You may even consider making checklists to help you out. If your teacher hasn’t given specific due dates for different chunks of the assignment or doesn’t require a draft, when does it make most sense for you to have a draft completed, given your upcoming schedule? Put some deadlines in place for yourself now so you’re not scrambling later.

Take advantage of every resource at your disposal…

Clarify any questions you have with your teacher as they come up; don’t assume you know the answer if you aren’t sure. Some mistakes, like using the wrong kinds of sources, can compound over time and create more problems for you later on in the assignment.
Talk to research librarians about your work, if you’re doing a research project. Explore the different resources available through your library, and learn about how to use your library’s search tools; you will need more than just the first few sources that show up, and talking to another person who has expertise in the area you’re looking at will help you not only find the appropriate sources, but learn how to search later when you’re working alone.
If your university has a writing center, it doesn’t hurt to make an appointment to speak with someone there as well. It’s a good idea to book an appointment for the longest time slot they have available so that you can have all your questions answered and concerns met. Don’t be afraid to use the writing center no matter what part of the writing process you’re on (drafting, citing sources, proofreading, editing, etc.).

Pace yourself, make a schedule, and follow it…

Many writers of all kinds (creative, journalistic, academic, etc.) recommend a daily writing practice. Writing just a little every day will help continue to move you toward your goal. Not everyone can accomplish that, though — whatever works for you is great. The most important thing is to be consistent (e.g., "I will write half an hour every day;" "I will write an hour on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday;" etc.).
Make a point to mention your goals (e.g., deadlines you've set for yourself) to your buddy early on. This will help keep you accountable, as you'll feel compelled to accomplish your goals in order to avoid embarassing yourself.
This will also help you make progress, since the sense of accomplishment you'll get from meeting minor milestones (like completing a page) will make larger ones seem less daunting.

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3 Step Plan to Easy Time Management

Do you want to write and can’t find time? Are you procrastinating? This three-step plan will help.

STEP 1 – GET SERIOUS

Getting serious is the first and the most important part of this three-step plan for easy time management. Ask yourself the following questions – note the wording carefully!

A. Do you really want to write?  B. Or, do you really want to have written? 

Many people think they would answer A, but creative writing is an activity. You must want to sit down and do it . Should you have really answered B?

If so, your problem isn’t just about personal time management – maybe you are short on motivation.

Sometimes life can leave us too tired or drained to feel motivated. If this is you there is help here.

Being serious means approaching your writing as though it was your regular job.

Make decisions about when you will write. Then keep a writing diary and schedule your writing.

Stick to that schedule as though there was the meanest, most bad-tempered boss in charge of that schedule. Then sit down, and once you get the first batch of words on the page – the rest will follow!

If you don’t know where to start then the best thing to do is try some creative writing exercises . These will trigger ideas and help get you into the routine of writing.

STEP 2 – WRITE REGULARLY AND FREQUENTLY

Easy time management is about being realistic about your schedule. There is no point in deciding you will write for twenty hours per week when you are already juggling a full-time job and a whole host of family commitments.

Also check out your to-do-list. Is it realistic? Or is it a list so long you have no hope of getting through it?

Keeping your to-do-list manageable is a vital component of easy time management. If your to-do-list is out of control read this.

If you can only write for a half hour a day, then that is fine – as long as you write regularly you will get there in the end.

If you write for 4 half hour sessions per week that means 2 hours per week. 2 hours per week makes 104 hours per year – that’s a lot of words!

Becoming a writer means never letting anything get between you and putting words on the page.

Okay, so far you have been realistic. You are going to write for half an hour per day on the weekdays. So there you are on a Monday evening. You sit down at seven pm and wait for inspiration.

At ten past seven the phone rings. At quarter past seven one of the kids has lost his sock. At twenty past seven, your partner needs you to help them unblock the sink.

At twenty-five past seven your friends calls in to see if you want to go out for a drink. At half past seven you are still chatting on the phone, sorting laundry, pulling the sink apart, or sitting on a stool at a bar and there are no words on the page!

STEP 3 – SAY NO!

If you recognized yourself in the above paragraph then you must learn to say no, politely, but firmly. Tell everyone you are not available at the time you scheduled to write.

If anyone interrupts you remind them. If they interrupt again keep reminding them until they learn to leave you alone. If you have a door – lock it.

If you really find it so very difficult to ask your family and friends to leave you alone for a short space of time, then go out.

Go to a café, a library or weather permitting; sit on a bench at the park.

Do not feel guilty; we are all entitled to some time alone. You are not neglecting your family by claiming some time to yourself.

By setting boundaries and showing commitment to your writing you are setting a good example. Everyone is entitled to some time to themselves! Everybody – especially you!

Best of luck with your writing.

Why Managing Your Time Makes You More Creative

You might think that time management and creativity are bit like chalk and cheese. If you’re a creative type (or if you want to be more creative), then all the usual advice about organizing yourself and avoiding procrastination might just not seem to apply. After all, isn’t a bit of disorganization and procrastination just part of the creative process?

Well, you might be perfectly happy doing your creative thing while everything around you is in a state of chaos. There’s a good chance, though, that some simple time management skills will hugely boost your chances of actually finishing that novel, or completing that painting.

Good Time Management Frees Up Extra Creative Hours

When I talk to writers, one big problem crops up over and over again: finding the time to write.

However much you love your creative work, you need time for it. That means being organized in the rest of your life: finishing your day job on time, getting the chores done efficiently, scheduling your creative sessions in your calendar, and so on.

Yes, time management might not seem nearly as exciting as creating your new composition, or sketching out some ideas … but it’s a critical support for your creativity.

Good Time Management Helps You Stay Focused

Does your creative time ever end up as a few hours of web surfing and smartphone fiddling ?

Most of us struggle to focus, and creative types are no exception. Sure, you’ll have days when you’re completely in the zone … but to get to that point, you probably need to push past the initial few minutes when you’re tempted to procrastinate.

By learning to sit down and concentrate on one task at a time, you’ll be doing your creativity a huge favor.

Good Time Management Helps You Organize Big Projects

If your creative work involves big, complicated projects – like publishing a comic book, producing an album, putting on a live event, or writing a novel – then you’re going to be juggling a lot of moving pieces.

To avoid everything falling down around you, you’ll need strong organizational skills. This is a key part of time management and, even if you think you’re “just not very organized,” it’s something you can work on.

My rule of thumb is to put as much as I can onto paper, rather than keeping it in my head – even if it’s just little stuff, like “don’t forget to buy milk.” That way, I free up more mental RAM for important stuff, like mulling over the newest plot twist in my novel…

Good Time Management Lets You Know When to Be Creative

We all have peaks and troughs of creative energy during the day. You might be at your best at 9 – 11am, but you may have friends who thrive at 6 – 8pm.

It’s important to know when your personal peaks are, so that you can harness them for your creative work. Let’s say you need to do a few chores on Saturday and you also want to work on your latest poem: if your best creative hours are in the morning, you’ll want to leave those chores for the afternoon.

I know this might sound like it’s obvious – but it’s surprising how few of us are careful about scheduling things so that we can use our most energized times to the full.

If your life involves a lot of creative activity (or if you wish it did!) then drop a comment below. Let us know what works for you, or what you’re struggling with.

This guest post is by Ali Luke . Ali is currently on a virtual book tour for her novel Lycopolis, a fast-paced supernatural thriller centered on a group of online roleplayers who summon a demon into their game … and into the world. Described by readers as “a fast and furious, addictive piece of escapism” and “absolutely gripping”, Lycopolis is available in print and e-book form. Find out more at www.lycopolis.co.uk .

25 thoughts on “ Why Managing Your Time Makes You More Creative ”

This concept is so simple yet escapes us, definitely including myself. I don’t personally consider myself a “creative” so I have to work harder at content creation than the average blogger but I don’t even get to sit down to work hard at a post if I don’t block out the time to make it happen.

Great post, Ali!

Thanks, Charlie! I think anyone who blogs is creative … and blocking out the time is so crucial for all of us.

I agree. 🙂 Great post, Ali!

See you soon, in NYC!

Absolutely true! Being disciplined with time frees you to be more creative than you could ever imagine. Being undisciplined clutters your mind so you couldn’t think a creative thought if your life depended on it. Well, maybe that’s a bit of an exaggeration but you get the idea.

Yeah, that mental clutter really puts a dampner on creativity. The more on top of things you are, the easiest it is to get into a good mental creative space.

I agree… ironically… it goes something like…

“the more you empty your mind… the more room you make for new ideas.”

Someone I follow tweeted this article tonight. I’m so glad I followed the link! I will be revisiting your site often!

I am an adult diagnosed with ADD. I am not currently on meds, but am planning to resume them until I can get my time management on some kind of normal-ish path. I’m switching doctors, though, because the new clinic has a multi-disciplinary approach that offers coaching sessions as well. My goal is to get on, then off, the meds as soon as I can. I don’t have to be perfectly organized; I just want to feel normal stress instead of this incapacitating stuff. It appears that your site is going to be quite complementary to the coaching. Every day, I seem to find some other little tidbit of help/hope.

My guess is that within the next 6 months or so, I will have re-freed some time to re-embark on some artistic ventures…. not to mention resuming some kind of physical activity like running. Your article makes a lot of sense. I’ve been so guilty of ignoring those personal peaks you wrote about. My job isn’t flexible enough for that kind of scheduling, but my weekends certainly could be. Once I get a handle on that, I’ll go for the weeknights… like a real TMN!

Thanks for this site!

Sandra, so glad you found the article useful! This is Craig’s site really, but I’m sure he won’t mind me saying a big “welcome!” to you. 🙂

I really hope the ADD management goes well for you … I can only imagine how tough that must be. Good luck with the new doctor, and with finding more time for physical activity (I definitely find that exercise helps me to focus better). And hope you stick around at TMN too!

Sandra, thanks for the kind words and welcome! Glad you found TMN!

Sounds like you are well on your way to taking action. Hope your endeavors go well! Best wishes!

Hi Craig and Ali Great to see Ali’s writing here, I always enjoy reading her work. I always feel a little guilty when it comes to brainstorming. It’s certainly not procrastination but it doesn’t quite feel productive at the time either (at least not until you start working on a piece of actual writing). I seem to have a strange brainstorming quirk. For some reason sitting in my office doesn’t always produce the best writing ideas. I find if I am feeling frustrated I go into my room and lie on the bed. I don’t know what it is but suddenly ideas are flying all over the place and naturally I rush back into my office to start writing them all down. I was wondering if Ali has any tips on how to make brainstorming sessions for writing ideas feel more productive? I have definitely gotten in sync with my most productive time. Mornings and evenings work best for me. Afternoons seem to be my lest productive. Cheers Thea

Hopefully, we can all three say hello at BlogWorld in NYC! 😉

🙂 I’ll be around all week!

Everything sounds productive to me regarding what you just said. Providence moves to where your attention is I belIeve. Think less stressfully and just do is my advice.

Cheers equally, Mike in New York

Twitter: @FreelanceMikey:twitter

Thanks Thea! And it’s great to be here. 🙂

In terms of brainstorming — a lot of people find it useful to get out of their day to day workspace. (I like to brainstorm on paper, at least, whereas I type straight onto the computer for pretty much everything else.) I also find it’s useful to carry a little notebook and a pen if I’m out and about … sometimes ideas come up at the craziest times.

I find that “proper” writing always feels productive for me whereas brainstorming can feel like faffing around … I have to remind myself firmly that a strong idea is a crucial part of a good piece, and that the time spent coming up with ideas is important. You might want to try putting your brainstorming sessions into your to do list? That way, you can at least cross them off once you’ve done them (which always makes me feel more productive…)

I hit my stride at 3 pm usually and then I might get more oddish ideas after midnight. Any others like me?

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I live by a schedule! I feel so much more free when I can see what I need to do. I can then schedule what I want to do. I was a single mom of 3 girls for about 7 years, so as you can imagine, being organized was key. Not only in Time management but organizing the kids schedules, cooking, grocery shopping, knowing all the stuff required of me and ME time. (I, too, write out everything especially buying the milk !) The best thing I did and learned (Hard Lessons come from being a single mom) was to be completely organized and letting the kids know what’s going on. Learning to say NO was another! When my children tell me, “MOM, we are out of…”, I tell them, “Go, write it down for me. If you want it, it needs to be on my list!” -Otherwise, it doesn’t get done.

I just recently found your articles. I really enjoying all the content! Great advise to pass on. Thanks!

Some great examples in your story. Thanks for sharing!

As a general rule, I don’t like to plan my schedule too far in advance. I also don’t like having too many things on my calendar. For whatever reason, a full calendar tends to haunt and distract me; the older I get, the more I enjoy both the quiet and the flexibility. That said, when I do have meetings and other business activities, scheduling them all on one or two days helps me reserve large blocks of time for my creative work. And by doing so, I am much better about protecting that time and saying “no” to interruptions. So I guess you could say I employ “just enough” time management.

I also appreciate your comment about knowing your personal peaks or most creative times of the day. I love writing first thing in the morning and, if I’m lucky, will get lost in the writing for hours. I do much of my most creative thinking at night, however. Mid-day, I’d really just like to take a nap.

Thanks for the great article!

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I’d like to appreciate your initiative to bring out the best article like this. Many of us know that we could be managing our time more effectively; but it can be difficult to identify the mistakes that we’re making, and to know how we could improve.

When we do manage our time well, however, we’re exceptionally productive at work. I use Replicon time recording software ( http://www.replicon.com/olp/online-time-recording-software.aspx ) to manage my time and tasks more perfectly.

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109 Time Management Topics & Essay Examples

Learn about the effects of poor time management, timetables, and organizational skill! Explore this list of 106 topics about time , compiled by our experts .

⌚ How to Write a Time Management Essay: Do’s and Don’ts

🏆 best research titles about time management, 📌 most interesting time management topics to write about, 👍 good research topics about time: management & organization, ❓ time management essay questions.

When writing a Time Management Essay, it may be easy to revert to merely enumerating and explaining how to achieve perfection through various approaches. While this is an essential part of such essays, you should not forget about other aspects of it. Here are some examples of what you should do in your paper:

Explain the intent of your essay. Are you teaching stress management tactics to save people the time they spend worrying or discipline? Your readers should be aware of your subject.
When mentioning a tactic, explain its purpose. People will be more intent to listen to you when they understand the intent behind the ideas that you are presenting. Compare these statements: “Keeping a bullet journal helps manage time better” and “A bullet journal’s purpose is helping people get subconsciously ready for today’s tasks.” Which one attempts to clarify the process?
Describe the mechanisms behind the outlined techniques. Doing so helps people adjust any goal-setting process to their own needs rather than blindly following it.
Use credible sources to back up your claims. For example, when writing about mind mapping, you can reference some of the studies conducted on this method.
If you can, give precedents of the successful implementation of the idea that you are describing. Mention people or even companies that have benefited from applying these methods to their daily working process.

All this advice should be used together with standard essay-writing rules. Outlining and brainstorming may save you, the writer, time that you would have spent on rewriting faulty paragraphs. You should do your research beforehand and structure your work so that the topics within it do not overlap.

Additionally, reference credible book and journal titles since your audience will believe factual, source-supported evidence more willingly.

Finally, when it comes to thinking about time management essay titles, choose one that is reflective of your subject and approach it. Each structural choice should help you further your thesis statement, linking to it and helping your readers follow your train of thought.

There are other things you should avoid doing when covering your topic. All of them center on the idea that time management essay topics should be respectful of the reader. Do not:

Write about your audience as if they are incompetent. Advice that seems condescending place is often unappreciated and neglected.
Name-drop inventors and techniques with no explanation. Doing so will only confuse your readers needlessly and make you seem unaware of your subject yourself.
Plagiarize from anywhere, including time management essay samples. Gaining inspiration is one thing, while purposefully copying and not referencing stolen content is an academic crime.
Leave your paragraphs inconclusive. Apart from academically referenced facts, you should also voice your own resolutions that your used sources support.
Promise your readers a solution to all of their problems. You are merely demonstrating sample means to better anyone’s time-management. Using these methods is an entirely different thing.

Other evident don’ts are those that your instructor should outline. Do not ignore the rules of essay writing that have been stated to you explicitly, such as the maximum word count. Your essay’s structure is reflective of your discipline and time-management.

Therefore, a careless outline or a disregard for the rules demonstrates that your work has had no positive effect on you and may have the same outcome on your readers.

Want to know more paper samples? Find more at IvyPanda!

Time Management Theories and Models Report In using the time management grid, I developed a grid and filled it with the tasks that I was supposed to accomplish.
Reflection on Time Management Skills While there is enough time available to improve my planning skills, I still have a long way to go to master the art of time-management.
Time Management and Its Effect in Reducing Stress among Students One of the causes of stress among high school students and college students is the difficulty in interacting with a completely new set of students and an even larger social group within the body of […]
The Importance of Time Management Time is one of the most important resources within the operations and execution of tasks and or activities of organizations and individuals.
Time Management at the Workplace Traditionally, time management is associated with one’s ability to accomplish more assignment and duties within a certain period of time, but often the first task for a time manages is to eliminate some of the […]
Procrastination and Time Management In case the available time is not properly allocated to all activities to be achieved within a given period, then the available time will not be allocated to the correct event.
Time and Stress Management for Better Productivity Procrastination is the forwarding of events that have to be done at a specific time to another time in the future.
Time Management of a Nurse Graduate This essay discusses why time management is a critical skill for a nurse graduate and what strategies can be employed to alleviate the impact of transition from a student to a healthcare worker.
Tools of Time Management for Students Students can write down all of the projects they need to complete and the deadlines for those. It is also crucial for individuals to study at what time of the day they can be the […]
School Principal: Successful Time Management As the key administrator of the school, the principal is expected to set the tone for a society of learners-teachers who unreservedly exchange information, thoughts and ideas.
Time Management Among Essential Student Skills It is important to realize that the learning environment is often challenging and may require the application and development of specific skills and competencies in order to experience success.
Time Management in Everyday Life Time and tide wait for none and this is a very old saying but at the very same time it is extremely important to realize and absorb the essence of the same.
Why the Poor Stewardship of Time? When asked by my teacher why I was a notorious timekeeper I used to answerer, “my home is the furthest and I could not make it early as my colleagues”.
Completion of Time Management At the same time, there is a growing feeling of helplessness in front of an avalanche of problems urgently requiring the intervention and the belief that lack of time like lack of air leads to […]
Time Management Theory and Study Skills It is during this time that a right balance between work and leisure would be the decisive factor in shaping ones future course of life.
Time Management: Getting Things Done At any time, the individual knows the task to complete and the manner in which it is to be completed. The GTD system can easily lead to a disconnect between the tasks to be completed, […]
Time Management Skills and Techniques Because of the lack of experience in the arrangement of activities, the experience of managing time is likely to be rather deplorable.
Time Management and Building Team The strength of the article is that it takes more time in explaining what a team is and what many think a team to be.
Time Management: Lesson Pacing To begin with lesson pacing can be described as a given rate or speed at which a teacher tends to present a task to pupils in a class.
Time Management: An Essential Skill for Top Performers According to Cornell’s system, the top column of a paper should have a cue column and a note-taking column. In this method, individuals should draw a circle in the middle of the paper and then […]
Budget Plan: Time Management Aspects The application will not be able to diagnose this, but it will be able to warn the patient and recommend possibly going to the doctor.
Plan-Do-Study-Act for Time Management at Home I will have to stick to a sleep schedule to change my current sleep habit, resulting in the recommended seven to eight hours every night.
Time Management Tools in the Workplace Thus, one can intelligently distribute the available time on the number of tasks and assess productivity at the end of the day. The Medical Assisting Pocket is a tool that enables them to improve and […]
Three Easy Ways to Improve Your Time Management For effective time management to be achieved, the level of disorganization has to be kept at the lowest level in both workplace and learning environments. As a result, there is no time wastage in moving […]
Concise Time Management and Personal Development Suppose that creativity can be encouraged by exploring some of the qualities and characteristics of creative thinkers and the activities/steps that can be undertaken to improve the processes involved.
Time Management Issues Among Managers The authors concluded that managers should get control over the time and content of their roles to ensure the management of their time effectively.
Time Management in Tertiary Studies The essay endeavours to examine the importance of time management and the role of lectures in relation to tertiary studies. To start with, the essay will explore the importance of time management in the lives […]
Time Management: How to Beat Your Procrastination? In order to manage time effectively the following solutions can be applied: The most popular solution is to make a schedule to keep track of important facts and ideas that can be of any use […]
Poor Time Management and Addressing Strategies I knew that I should not do it but the first time I broke the rule I did it unconsciously. In fact, because of these phone checks, I paid more attention to the phone rather […]
Quality and Time Management Improvement Techniques Because of the lack of consistency in the types of information retrieved, the firm needs to adopt the approach that allows for arranging the existing data within the shortest amount of time.
Value of Time Management First, when speaking about time management and the basic skills, it is crucial to mind the most important activities that should be performed and goals that should be achieved to guarantee the development of a […]
The Just-in-Time Management Concept The concept of Just-in-Time is a comparatively recent addition to the array of manufacturing strategies that are supposed to help reduce the waste levels in the organization, at the same time improving the product quality […]
Time Management for a Post-Graduate Student The various articles in these encyclopedias will help to form a basis for the research and will also act as a guide in conducting further research in other publications.
Students’ Time Management Strategies Students should keep track of the time they have to meet their responsibilities. The third strategy involves keeping reminders to keep students focused on their assignments and their deadlines.
“Just in Time” – Philosophy of Management All the benefits of this system tend to be woven in the quality, efficiency and effectiveness of the processes that are involved.
Time Management for Nurses It is important for healthcare professionals to find time for patients because of identifying their needs and to know what can be done to improve the situation.
Achieving Objectives Through Time Management
Developing Good Time Management Skills
Adulthood: Time Management and Transition
Apply Time Management Technique to a Project
Conflict Resolution and Time Management
Time Management and Its Suitable Strategies for Adult Learners
Unpreparedness and Time Management in the US Army
Problems Associated with Poor Time Management for Students
Analyzing Better Time Management Skills
The Personality Assessment and the Time Management Section
The Strengths and Weaknesses of Time Management and Their Relationship with Stress in the Workplace
Becoming a Better Learner Through Time Management
Time Management Is a Crucial Component of the Art of Nursing
Importance of Planning and Time Management Techniques
The Impact of Time Management and Causes of Stress in the Workplace
Punctuality: Time Management and Cardinal Virtue
Business and Effective Time Management Uses
The Challenge of Time Management and Its Effects on Adult Learning
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Expectations for Time Management and Involvement
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Effective Time Management: Identifying and Correcting Time Wasters
The Importance of Time Management: Priorities, Being Organizing and Setting Goals
Time Management Is an Important Ingredient for Success
The Reality of the Effectiveness of Time Management from the Perspective of the Employees of the Beauty Clinic of Dentistry
Problems with Time Management, Distractions, and Procrastination
Effective Communication and Time Management for a Patient
The Importance of Spoken Communication, Written Communication, and Time Management
Effective Management Versus Effective Time Management
Influence of Work Motivation, Leadership Effectiveness, and Time Management on Employees
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Comparison of Time Management Perception of Students Studying at the Department of Physical Education and Sports Teaching and Program in Primary School Education
Importance of Time Management and Deadlines to the Work of Public Relations
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Chicago (N-B)

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Essay on Time Management for Students and Children

500+ words essay on time management.

Essay on time management-In today’s scenario people are so busy in their lives that they are not getting time for themselves. Due to which time management has become the need of the hour. Time management is playing a vital role in mankind . Time management creates discipline or vice versa. If you want to be successful in life then you need to manage your time. As a result, various billionaires teach about time management.

The Meaning of Time Management

In our daily life, we have got only twenty-four hours in a day. Therefore we cannot do everything in one day. This creates limitations in our everyday work. In order to manage work, social life and sleep, division of time is important. In a particular way division of time is the need. This will help the person to complete all his tasks. You should write your tasks in a schedule.

Designing has to be in a way that each task gets enough time. Your work should have the highest priority. The second priority should sleep. And the last but not the least your social life. Your social life includes family and friends.

In order to live a happy and peaceful life socializing is important. Too much workload can make a person ill. So, give your mind a little rest. Spending time with family can help you with this. Moreover, the main purpose to work is to fulfill the needs of the family. Since the fulfillment of needs is important. Which makes a person happy.

Get the huge list of more than 500 Essay Topics and Ideas

Importance of Time Management for Students

Though adults are working, the students are not spared with work. The students today have many studies to do. Because of this, they are not getting time to enjoy their childhood. Time management for students has become a crucial need. Education has become vast. Therefore proper scheduling of time is important.

A good student knows the importance of studies . But he should also know time never comes back. Thus a student should take out time for personal development too. Since personal development is important for their proper growth. Moreover, personality development is also important for a student. They should at least take out one hour for sports. Sports teach student teamwork. Since it is enjoyable it lessens the stress of the day.

The daily routine is School or college, and then coaching. This leaves with no time of self-studies. Self-study is an important aspect of education. The student should not neglect this. As the day ends, they get too tired. Due to which there is no energy left. This degrades the performance of the student.

There is a difference between a topper and an average student. That difference is proper time management. A topper student schedules his time. While an average student does not do that. And because he never manages time, he gets no time for self-study. Which in turn leaves him behind.

How to Manage Time?

A person should eliminate unnecessary activities from their daily schedule. On weekends you should do it. Especially should socialize on weekends. Also, include traveling time in the schedule. This ensures accuracy.

Most Noteworthy, make a time table on paper. In which you should write your daily activities. This will create discipline in your life. Moreover, you should complete the task daily. However, there will be some changes in the schedule with time.

Finally, your schedule needs to be practical. You cannot make a schedule unless you know your daily timings. Each persons’ schedule is unique if you copy you won’t progress in life.

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Time Management Skills: 25 Performance Review Phrases Examples

By Status.net Editorial Team on August 9, 2023 — 8 minutes to read

Performance Review Phrases and Paragraphs Examples: Time Management

5 – outstanding, example phrases.

Consistently meets all deadlines and often delivers ahead of schedule
Skillfully balances multiple projects while maintaining a high level of organization
Demonstrates exceptional prioritization abilities and focuses on high-impact tasks
Always punctual and effectively manages time to complete all assigned tasks
Goes above and beyond to complete tasks efficiently without sacrificing quality
Consistently prioritizes tasks and uses time effectively to complete them ahead of schedule
Demonstrates exceptional organization and planning to ensure goals are met in a timely manner
Consistently completes tasks ahead of schedule
Effectively prioritizes tasks to maximize productivity
Demonstrates exceptional organization skills

Paragraph Examples

“Jane consistently meets all deadlines and often delivers work ahead of schedule. Her ability to effectively manage her time and prioritize high-impact tasks has led to exceptional performance on various projects. As a result, she has been a valuable asset to the team.”

“John’s skillful balance of multiple projects is noteworthy. He maintains a high level of organization and ensures all tasks are completed efficiently without sacrificing quality. His time management skills have proven to be an essential advantage for the company, contributing to increased productivity and customer satisfaction.”

“Susan has always been punctual and dependable, making her a trusted team member. Her time management skills enable her to focus on the tasks at hand while balancing competing priorities. As a result, she consistently meets expectations and often exceeds them, demonstrating her strong work ethic and dedication to success.”

4 – Exceeds Expectations

Consistently prioritizes tasks effectively and ensures deadlines are met.
Successfully balances multiple projects by allocating time efficiently.
Proactively develops and utilizes time management tools and strategies.
Anticipates obstacles and consistently finds solutions to prevent delays.
Arrives early for meetings and regularly completes tasks ahead of schedule.
Frequently meets deadlines, often finishing tasks ahead of schedule.
Exhibits strong planning skills and effectively allocates time to tasks according to their importance.
Frequently meets deadlines with time to spare
Successfully balances multiple tasks at once
Maintains an organized workspace and calendar

“Jane, a team leader in our organization, consistently showcases her ability to manage time effectively. She can prioritize her tasks and ensure that all deadlines are met without fail. With her proactive nature, she develops time-management tools and strategies which not only aid her but also help her team members in staying organized.”

“John, a marketing specialist within our company, demonstrates an exceptional ability to balance multiple projects simultaneously. He allocates his time in an efficient manner, allowing him to meet all project deadlines and maintain high-quality work. His anticipation of potential setbacks and implementation of appropriate solutions prevent any delays in project completion.”

“Susan, a customer service representative, consistently arrives early for meetings and finishes her tasks ahead of schedule. Her excellent time management skills allow her to perform at an exceptional level, exceeding expectations and making a positive impact on our organization. With her proactive attitude and ability to foresee obstacles, she continually finds ways to improve her performance and support the team’s objectives.”

3 – Meets Expectations

Consistently meets deadlines for projects and tasks.
Demonstrates effective time management skills by prioritizing tasks appropriately.
Reliably balances multiple tasks and responsibilities without sacrificing quality.
Shows solid organization skills, ensuring all tasks are completed in a timely manner.
Sets realistic goals and follows through on commitments without micromanagement.
Generally uses time wisely to complete tasks on schedule.
Shows an ability to balance workload and prioritize tasks to meet deadlines.
Generally meets deadlines and completes tasks on time
Prioritizes tasks and allocates time appropriately
Demonstrates adequate organization skills

“Julia consistently meets deadlines for her projects and tasks, demonstrating effective time management skills. She prioritizes her work appropriately and reliably balances multiple responsibilities to ensure timely completion. Julia’s organization skills contribute to her solid performance in meeting expectations.”

“Dan sets realistic goals and follows through on his commitments. His ability to work independently without micromanagement is a testament to his strong time management abilities. As a result, Dan consistently meets the expectations set for his role and demonstrates his value to the team.”

2 – Needs Improvement

She struggles to prioritize tasks and frequently misses deadlines.
He often over-commits to projects, leading to unfinished tasks and poor time management.
They are consistently late to meetings and appointments.
She frequently misjudges the time it takes to complete tasks, resulting in missed deadlines.
He underestimates the importance of punctuality and consistently arrives late to work.
Occasionally struggles with meeting deadlines and managing multiple tasks.
Sometimes fails to prioritize tasks effectively, leading to missed deadlines or incomplete work.
Struggles to meet deadlines on a regular basis
Faces difficulty in prioritizing tasks and managing time
Lacks organization in personal workspace and schedule

“Jane often experiences difficulty in managing her time effectively. She has repeatedly been observed struggling to prioritize tasks, causing her to miss deadlines and negatively impact team performance. In addition, Jane frequently over-commits to projects, which invariably results in incomplete tasks and stretched resources. It is essential for Jane to improve her time management skills in order to better support the team’s goals and deadlines in the future.”

“John’s time management skills consistently need improvement, as he is often late to meetings and appointments. This lack of punctuality not only affects the efficiency of the team but also sends a negative message regarding his commitment to his role. Furthermore, John regularly misjudges the time it takes to complete tasks, leading to missed deadlines and increased pressure on his colleagues. To better fulfil his responsibilities and contribute to the overall success of the team, John must focus on developing effective time management strategies.”

1 – Unacceptable

Struggles to complete tasks on time, consistently missing deadlines.
Procrastination often leads to a backlog of work and unnecessary stress.
Frequently fails to prioritize tasks effectively, causing delays in projects.
Time management skills have not improved despite multiple coaching sessions.
Difficulty in making adjustments when faced with unexpected changes in workload.
Consistently misses deadlines and fails to manage time effectively.
Lacks the ability to prioritize tasks, often leading to incomplete projects and additional work for others.
Consistently fails to meet deadlines
Unable to manage time effectively
Personal workspace and schedule are disorganized and inefficient

“(Employee Name) consistently demonstrates unacceptable time management skills. They often fail to prioritize their tasks effectively, resulting in missed deadlines and delays in projects. Despite multiple coaching sessions, their skills in managing their time and workload have not improved.”

“(Employee Name)’s procrastination often contributes to a backlog of work, causing additional stress for the team and contributing to missed deadlines. Their inability to effectively manage their time has had a noticeable impact on the overall productivity and timeliness of projects.”

“In addition to struggling with prioritization, (Employee Name) regularly fails to adapt when faced with unexpected changes in their workload. This inability to adjust and reorganize their schedule to accommodate new tasks or challenges has led to a decline in their overall performance and effectiveness in their role.”

Performance Review Questions: Time Management Skills

1. How does the employee prioritize their tasks and responsibilities? 2. Does the employee complete their work on time and meet deadlines consistently? 3. How does the employee handle unexpected or urgent tasks that arise? 4. Does the employee use their time effectively and efficiently to accomplish their goals? 5. Does the employee have a system in place for managing their time and staying organized? 6. How does the employee handle interruptions or distractions during their workday? 7. Does the employee communicate effectively with their colleagues and superiors about their workload and time constraints? 8. Does the employee take ownership of their time and proactively seek out ways to improve their time management skills? 9. How does the employee balance their workload and avoid overcommitting themselves? 10. Does the employee take breaks and prioritize self-care to avoid burnout and maintain productivity?

Frequently Asked Questions

What are some impactful phrases to assess time management skills.

“Consistently meets deadlines and maintains a high level of productivity.”
“Demonstrates effective planning and organizational skills.”
“Prioritizes tasks efficiently and focuses on important tasks.”
“Balances multiple projects and tasks without compromising quality.”
“Struggles with managing time well and frequently misses deadlines.”

How can you rate employees on time management during performance reviews?

Ratings for time management skills can be assigned as follows:

5 – Outstanding: Consistently exhibits exceptional time management skills and always meets or exceeds deadlines.
4 – Exceeds Expectations: Displays strong time management skills and usually completes tasks ahead of schedule.
3 – Meets Expectations: Adequately manages time and meets required deadlines with quality work.
2 – Needs Improvement: Has difficulty managing time effectively and requires guidance to meet deadlines.
1 – Unacceptable: Continually fails to manage time well, leading to missed deadlines and poor-quality work.

What are some positive and negative examples for time management evaluations?

Positive examples:

Completes tasks efficiently and accurately without sacrificing quality.
Effectively delegates tasks to team members based on their strengths.
Balances long-term projects and short-term priorities with ease.

Negative examples:

Consistently misses deadlines and struggles to stay on track.
Overwhelmed by multitasking and demonstrates difficulty prioritizing tasks.
Responds poorly to urgent requests, resulting in delayed or incomplete work.

Which self-performance review goals can be set to improve time management?

Employees can set the following goals to improve their time management skills:

Create and follow a daily to-do list to prioritize tasks.
Learn to delegate tasks and empower team members.
Set realistic deadlines and allocate sufficient time for essential tasks.
Regularly review and adjust workload based on priorities.
Seek training or guidance in time management techniques.

What should a manager include when evaluating an employee’s time management skills?

A manager should consider the following criteria when evaluating an employee’s time management skills:

Ability to meet deadlines and deliver quality work.
Efficiency and effectiveness in managing tasks and priorities.
Adaptability to changes or urgent requests.
Capacity to multitask and allocate time to various projects.
Collaboration with team members in managing and delegating tasks.

What are examples of quality and quantity of work in regard to time management skills?

Quality of work examples:

Produces error-free, well-researched, and thought-out projects.
Offers clear, concise, and thorough work, reflecting attention to detail.
Develops innovative and creative solutions that exceed expectations.

Quantity of work examples:

Consistently completes assigned tasks ahead of schedule.
Manages and successfully delivers multiple projects simultaneously.
Maintains a steady pace of work without sacrificing quality.
Problem Solving Skills: 25 Performance Review Phrases Examples
Planning Skills: 25 Performance Review Phrases Examples
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What is stress management?

Identify the causes
Replace unhealthy coping strategies
Practice the 4 As

Avoid unnecessary stress

Alter the situation, adapt to the stressor.

Accept the things you can't change

Move more during your day

Time management
Reach out and connect

Make time for fun and relaxation

Maintain balance with a healthy lifestyle.

Reducing stress in the moment

Stress Management Techniques & Strategies to Deal with Stress

While it may seem like there’s nothing you can do about stress in your life, there are healthy steps you can take to destress and regain control.

It may seem like there’s nothing you can do about stress—no way to avoid it and no way to de-stress completely when it hits. The bills won’t stop coming, there will never be more hours in the day, and your work and family responsibilities will always be demanding. But the truth is, you have a lot more control over stress than you may think. In fact, the simple realization that you’re in control of your life is the foundation of stress management.

Managing stress is all about taking charge: of your thoughts, emotions, schedule, environment, and the way you deal with problems. The ultimate goal is a balanced life, with time for work, relationships, relaxation, and fun—plus the ability to hold up under pressure and meet challenges head on.

Stress management involves using various techniques and coping strategies to improve the way you react to stressful things in your life and build resilience . But it’s not one-size-fits-all. That’s why it’s important to experiment and find out what works best for you. Whether you’re looking to reduce your overall stress levels, avoid unnecessary stressors in your life, or deal with stress in the moment, the following stress management techniques and strategies can help.

Why does stress management matter?

If you’re living with high levels of stress, you’re putting your entire well-being at risk. Stress wreaks havoc on your emotional equilibrium, as well as your overall physical and mental health. It narrows your ability to think clearly, function effectively, and enjoy life.

Identify the causes of stress in your life

Stress management starts with identifying the sources of stress in your life. This isn’t as straightforward as it sounds. While it’s easy to identify major stressors such as changing jobs, moving, or going through a divorce, pinpointing the sources of chronic stress can be more complicated.

It’s all too easy to overlook how your own thoughts, feelings, and behaviors contribute to your everyday stress levels. Sure, you may know that you’re constantly worried about work deadlines, but maybe it’s your procrastination, rather than the actual job demands, that is causing the stress.

To identify what’s really stressing you out, look closely at your habits, attitude, and excuses:

Do you explain away stress as temporary (“I just have a million things going on right now”) even though you can’t remember the last time you took a breather?
Do you define stress as an integral part of your work or home life (“Things are always crazy around here”) or as a part of your personality (“I have a lot of nervous energy, that’s all”)?
Do you blame your stress on other people or outside events, or view it as entirely normal and unexceptional?

Until you accept responsibility for the role you play in creating or maintaining it, your stress level will remain outside your control.

Keep a stress journal

A stress journal can help you identify the regular stressors in your life and the way you deal with them. Each time you feel stressed, make a note of it in your journal or use a stress tracker on your phone. As you keep a daily log, you will begin to see patterns and common themes. Write down:

What caused your stress (make a guess if you’re unsure).
How you felt, both physically and emotionally.
How you acted in response.
What you did to make yourself feel better.

Replace unhealthy coping strategies with healthy ones

Think about the ways you currently manage and cope with stress in your life. Your stress journal can help you identify them. Are your coping strategies healthy or unhealthy? Many of us cope with stress in ways that make us feel better temporarily—but compound the problem in the long run.

Unhealthy ways of dealing with stress

Using alcohol or drugs to relax .
Bingeing on junk or comfort food.
Zoning out for hours on your phone or TV.
Withdrawing from friends, family, and social activities.
Sleeping too much.
Filling up every minute of the day to avoid facing problems.
Taking out your stress on others
Procrastinating.

If your methods of coping with stress aren’t contributing to your greater emotional and physical health, it’s time to find healthier ones. No single method works for everyone or in every situation, so experiment with different stress management techniques and strategies. Focus on what makes you feel calm and in control.

Practice the 4 As of stress management

There are many healthy ways to reduce stress or cope with its effects, but they all require change. You can either change the situation or change your reaction. When deciding which option to choose, it’s helpful to think of the four As: avoid , alter , accept , or adapt .

Not all stress can be avoided, and it’s not healthy to avoid a situation that needs to be addressed. But you may be surprised by the number of stressors in your life that you can eliminate.

Learn how to say “no.” Know your limits and stick to them. Whether in your personal or professional life, taking on more than you can handle is a surefire recipe for stress.

Avoid people who stress you out. If someone consistently causes stress in your life, limit the amount of time you spend with that person, or end the relationship.

Take control of your environment. If the evening news makes you anxious, turn off the TV. If traffic makes you tense, take a longer but less-traveled route. If going to the market is an unpleasant chore, do your grocery shopping online.

Avoid hot-button topics . If you get upset over religion or politics, cross them off your conversation list. If you repeatedly argue about the same subject with the same people, stop bringing it up or excuse yourself when it’s the topic of discussion.

Pare down your to-do list. Analyze your schedule, responsibilities, and daily tasks. If you’ve got too much on your plate, distinguish between the “shoulds” and the “musts.” Drop tasks that aren’t truly necessary to the bottom of the list or eliminate them entirely.

If you can’t avoid a stressful situation, try to alter it. Often, this involves changing the way you communicate and operate in your daily life.

Express your feelings instead of bottling them up. If something or someone is bothering you, communicate your concerns in an open and respectful way. If you don’t voice your feelings, resentment will build and the stress will increase.

Be willing to compromise. When you ask someone to change their behavior, be willing to do the same. If you both are willing to bend at least a little, you’ll have a good chance of finding a happy middle ground.

Be more assertive. Don’t take a backseat in your own life. Deal with problems head on, doing your best to anticipate and prevent them. If you’ve got an exam to study for and your chatty roommate just got home, say up front that you only have five minutes to talk.

Find balance. All work and no play is a recipe for burnout. Try to find a balance between work and family life, social activities and solitary pursuits, daily responsibilities and downtime.

If you can’t change the stressor, change yourself. You can adapt to stressful situations and regain your sense of control by changing your expectations and attitude.

Reframe problems. Try to view stressful situations from a more positive perspective. Rather than fuming about a traffic jam, look at it as an opportunity to pause and regroup, listen to your favorite radio station, or enjoy some alone time.

Look at the big picture. Take perspective of the stressful situation. Ask yourself how important it will be in the long run. Will it matter in a month? A year? Is it really worth getting upset over? If the answer is no, focus your time and energy elsewhere.

Adjust your standards. Perfectionism is a major source of avoidable stress. Stop setting yourself up for failure by demanding perfection. Set reasonable standards for yourself and others, and learn to be okay with “good enough.”

Practice gratitude. When stress is getting you down, take a moment to reflect on all the things you appreciate in your life , including your own positive qualities and gifts. This simple strategy can help you keep things in perspective.

Accept the things you can’t change

Some sources of stress are unavoidable. You can’t prevent or change stressors such as the death of a loved one, a serious illness, or a national recession. In such cases, the best way to cope with stress is to accept things as they are. Acceptance may be difficult, but in the long run, it’s easier than railing against a situation you can’t change.

Don’t try to control the uncontrollable. Many things in life are beyond our control, particularly the behavior of other people. Rather than stressing out over them, focus on the things you can control such as the way you choose to react to problems.

Look for the upside. When facing major challenges, try to look at them as opportunities for personal growth. If your own poor choices contributed to a stressful situation, reflect on them and learn from your mistakes.

Learn to forgive. Accept the fact that we live in an imperfect world and that people make mistakes. Let go of anger and resentments. Free yourself from negative energy by forgiving and moving on.

Share your feelings. Expressing what you’re going through can be very cathartic, even if there’s nothing you can do to alter the stressful situation. Talk to a trusted friend or make an appointment with a therapist.

Speak to a Licensed Therapist

BetterHelp is an online therapy service that matches you to licensed, accredited therapists who can help with depression, anxiety, relationships, and more. Take the assessment and get matched with a therapist in as little as 48 hours.

When you’re stressed, the last thing you probably feel like doing is getting up and exercising. But physical activity is a huge stress reliever—and you don’t have to be an athlete or spend hours in a gym to experience the benefits. Exercise releases endorphins that make you feel good, and it can also serve as a valuable distraction from your daily worries.

While you’ll get the most benefit from regularly exercising for 30 minutes or more, it’s okay to build up your fitness level gradually. Even very small activities can add up over the course of a day. The first step is to get yourself up and moving. Here are some easy ways to incorporate exercise into your daily schedule:

Put on some music and dance around.
Take your dog for a walk .
Walk or cycle to the grocery store.
Use the stairs at home or work rather than an elevator.
Park your car in the farthest spot in the lot and walk the rest of the way.
Pair up with an exercise partner and encourage each other as you work out.
Play ping-pong or an activity-based video game with your kids.

Using mindful rhythmic exercise to manage stress

While just about any form of physical activity can help burn away tension and stress, rhythmic activities are especially effective. Good choices include walking, running, swimming, dancing, cycling, tai chi, and aerobics. But whatever you choose, make sure it’s something you enjoy so you’re more likely to stick with it.

While you’re exercising, make a conscious effort to pay attention to your body and the physical (and sometimes emotional) sensations you experience as you’re moving. Focus on coordinating your breathing with your movements, for example, or notice how the air or sunlight feels on your skin. Adding this mindfulness element will help you break out of the cycle of negative thoughts that often accompanies overwhelming stress.

Learn to manage your time better

Poor time management can cause a lot of stress. When you’re stretched too thin and running behind, it’s hard to stay calm and focused. Plus, you’ll be tempted to avoid or cut back on all the healthy things you should be doing to keep stress in check, like socializing and getting enough sleep. The good news: there are things you can do to achieve a healthier work-life balance.

Don’t over-commit yourself. Avoid scheduling things back-to-back or trying to fit too much into one day. All too often, we underestimate how long things will take.

Prioritize tasks. Make a list of tasks you have to do, and tackle them in order of importance. Do the high-priority items first. If you have something particularly unpleasant or stressful to do, get it over with early. The rest of your day will be more pleasant as a result.

Break projects into small steps. If a large project seems overwhelming, make a step-by-step plan. Focus on one manageable step at a time, rather than taking on everything at once.

Delegate responsibility. You don’t have to do it all yourself, whether at home, school, or on the job. If other people can take care of the task, why not let them? Let go of the desire to control or oversee every little step. You’ll be letting go of unnecessary stress in the process.

Reach out and connect to people who make you feel good

There is nothing more calming than spending quality time with another human being who makes you feel safe and understood. In fact, face-to-face interaction triggers a cascade of hormones that counteracts the body’s defensive “fight-or-flight” response. It’s nature’s natural stress reliever (as an added bonus, it also helps stave off depression and anxiety). So make it a point to connect regularly—and in person—with family and friends.

[Read: Social Support for Stress Relief]

Keep in mind that the people you talk to don’t have to be able to fix your stress. They simply need to be good listeners. And try not to let worries about looking weak or being a burden keep you from opening up. The people who care about you will be flattered by your trust. It will only strengthen your bond.

Of course, you may not always have someone close by to lean on when you feel overwhelmed by stress, but by building and maintaining a network of close friends you can improve your resiliency to life’s stressors.

Tips for building relationships

Reach out to a colleague at work.
Help someone else by volunteering .
Have lunch or coffee with a friend.
Ask a loved one to check in with you regularly.
Call or email an old friend.
Go for a walk with a workout buddy.
Schedule a weekly dinner date.
Meet new people by taking a class or joining a club.
Confide in a clergy member, teacher, or sports coach.
Join a support group—either in-person or via on online therapy platform .

Beyond a take-charge approach and a positive attitude, you can reduce stress in your life by carving out “me” time. Don’t get so caught up in the hustle and bustle of life that you forget to take care of your own needs. Nurturing yourself is a necessity, not a luxury. If you regularly make time for fun and relaxation, you’ll be in a better place to handle life’s stressors.

Set aside leisure time. Include rest and relaxation in your daily schedule. Don’t allow other obligations to encroach. This is your time to take a break from all responsibilities and recharge your batteries.

Do something you enjoy every day. Make time for leisure activities that bring you joy, whether it be stargazing, playing the piano, or working on your bike.

Keep your sense of humor. This includes the ability to laugh at yourself. The act of laughing helps your body fight stress in a number of ways.

Take up a relaxation practice. Relaxation techniques such as yoga, meditation, and deep breathing activate the body’s relaxation response , a state of restfulness that is the opposite of the fight or flight or mobilization stress response. As you learn and practice these techniques, your stress levels will decrease and your mind and body will become calm and centered.

In addition to regular exercise, there are other healthy lifestyle choices that can increase your resistance to stress.

Eat a healthy diet . Well-nourished bodies are better prepared to cope with stress, so be mindful of what you eat. Start your day right with breakfast, and keep your energy up and your mind clear with balanced, nutritious meals throughout the day.

Reduce caffeine and sugar. The temporary “highs” caffeine and sugar provide often end with a crash in mood and energy. By reducing the amount of coffee, soft drinks, chocolate, and sugar snacks in your diet , you’ll feel more relaxed and you’ll sleep better.

Avoid alcohol, cigarettes, and drugs. Self-medicating with alcohol or drugs may provide an easy escape from stress, but the relief is only temporary. Don’t avoid or mask the issue at hand; deal with problems head on and with a clear mind.

Get enough sleep. Adequate sleep fuels your mind, as well as your body. Feeling tired will increase your stress because it may cause you to think irrationally.

Tips for reducing stress in the moment

When you’re frazzled by your morning commute, stuck in a stressful meeting at work, or fried from another argument with your spouse, you need a way to manage your stress levels right now . That’s where quick stress relief comes in.

The fastest way to reduce stress is by taking a deep breath and using your senses—what you see, hear, taste, and touch—or through a soothing movement. By viewing a favorite photo, smelling a specific scent, listening to a favorite piece of music, tasting a piece of gum, or hugging a pet, for example, you can quickly relax and focus yourself.

[Read: Quick Stress Relief]

Of course, not everyone responds to each sensory experience in the same way. The key to quick stress relief is to experiment and discover the unique sensory experiences that work best for you.

More Information

Special Health Report - Special Health Report from Harvard Medical School on Stress. (Harvard Health)
Tolerating Distress - Workbook and information sheets to help you manage feelings of distress. (Centre for Clinical Interventions)
How To Relax (Video) - Video to help you ease stress. (Mind)
Trauma- and Stressor-Related Disorders. (2013). In Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders . American Psychiatric Association. Link
Can, Yekta Said, Heather Iles-Smith, Niaz Chalabianloo, Deniz Ekiz, Javier Fernández-Álvarez, Claudia Repetto, Giuseppe Riva, and Cem Ersoy. “How to Relax in Stressful Situations: A Smart Stress Reduction System.” Healthcare 8, no. 2 (April 16, 2020): 100. Link
Norelli, Samantha K., Ashley Long, and Jeffrey M. Krepps. “Relaxation Techniques.” In StatPearls . Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing, 2021. Link
Toussaint, Loren, Quang Anh Nguyen, Claire Roettger, Kiara Dixon, Martin Offenbächer, Niko Kohls, Jameson Hirsch, and Fuschia Sirois. “Effectiveness of Progressive Muscle Relaxation, Deep Breathing, and Guided Imagery in Promoting Psychological and Physiological States of Relaxation.” Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine 2021 (July 3, 2021): e5924040. Link
Unger, Cynthia A, David Busse, and Ilona S Yim. “The Effect of Guided Relaxation on Cortisol and Affect: Stress Reactivity as a Moderator.” Journal of Health Psychology 22, no. 1 (January 1, 2017): 29–38. Link
Singh, Karuna. “Nutrient and Stress Management.” Journal of Nutrition & Food Sciences 6, no. 4 (2016). Link
Katsarou, Alexia L., Marios M. Vryonis, Athanassios D. Protogerou, Evangelos C. Alexopoulos, Apostolos Achimastos, Dimitrios Papadogiannis, George P. Chrousos, and Christina Darviri. “Stress Management and Dietary Counseling in Hypertensive Patients: A Pilot Study of Additional Effect.” Primary Health Care Research & Development 15, no. 1 (January 2014): 38–45. Link
Errisuriz, Vanessa L., Keryn E. Pasch, and Cheryl L. Perry. “Perceived Stress and Dietary Choices: The Moderating Role of Stress Management.” Eating Behaviors 22 (August 1, 2016): 211–16. Link
Choi, Dong-Woo, Sung-Youn Chun, Sang Ah Lee, Kyu-Tae Han, and Eun-Cheol Park. “Association between Sleep Duration and Perceived Stress: Salaried Worker in Circumstances of High Workload.” International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health 15, no. 4 (April 2018): 796. Link
Blaxton, Jessica M., Cindy S. Bergeman, Brenda R. Whitehead, Marcia E. Braun, and Jessic D. Payne. “Relationships Among Nightly Sleep Quality, Daily Stress, and Daily Affect.” The Journals of Gerontology: Series B 72, no. 3 (May 1, 2017): 363–72. Link
Saleh, Dalia, Nathalie Camart, Fouad Sbeira, and Lucia Romo. “Can We Learn to Manage Stress? A Randomized Controlled Trial Carried out on University Students.” PLOS ONE 13, no. 9 (September 5, 2018): e0200997. Link
Loprinzi, Paul D., and Emily Frith. “Protective and Therapeutic Effects of Exercise on Stress-Induced Memory Impairment.” The Journal of Physiological Sciences: JPS 69, no. 1 (January 2019): 1–12. Link
Salmon, P. “Effects of Physical Exercise on Anxiety, Depression, and Sensitivity to Stress: A Unifying Theory.” Clinical Psychology Review 21, no. 1 (February 2001): 33–61. Link

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Helping Writers Become Authors

14 Do’s and Don’ts of Time Management for Writers (from a Recovering Over-Achiever)

8 Do’s of Time Management for Writers

1. List Your To-Dos So You Can See Them All in One Place

2. Create “Batches” of Related Tasks

3. Multi-Task (With Care)

4. Schedule Downtime Relentlessly

5. Make a Commitment With Yourself

6. Schedule Writing Tasks and Writing-Related Tasks Separately

7. Create a Quick Warm-Up Routine

8. Write in Fifteen-Minute Spurts

6 Don’ts of Time Management for Writers

2. Don’t Dismiss Your True Priorities

3. Don’t Guilt Yourself When You Don’t Get It All Done

4. Don’t Say “Yes” When You Want to Say “No”

5. Don’t Let Others Disrespect Your Writing Time

6. Don’t Constantly Check Email and Notifications

Wordplayers, tell me your opinions! What have you found is the most helpful tip in time management for writers? Tell me in the comments!

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Time Management Tips For Writing an Essay

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1. Avoid Distractions

2. Set Clear Goals

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4. Don’t Strive for Perfection

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Time Management Tip #1 – Give up perfection.

Time Management Tip #2 – Don’t swamp yourself with goals.

Time Management Tip #3 – Don’t give up on exercise.

Time Management Tip #4 – Map your most creative time of day, and make use of it.

Time Management Tip #5 – Carry a notebook with you everywhere.

Time Management Tip #6 – Don’t let things pile up.

Time Management Tip #7 – Make Time for You.

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15 Best Time Management Books to Read

List of time management books

1. Deep Work: Rules for Focused Success in a Distracted World by Cal Newport

2. Getting Things Done: The Art of Stress-Free Productivity by David Allen

3. The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People: Powerful Lessons in Personal Change by Stephen Covey

4. Eat That Frog!: 21 Great Ways to Stop Procrastinating and Get More Done in Less Time by Brian Tracy

5. 168 Hours: You Have More Time Than You Think by Laura Vanderkam

6. The 80/20 Principle: The Secret to Achieving More with Less by Richard Koch

7. When: The Scientific Secrets of Perfect Timing by Daniel Pink

8. Essentialism: The Disciplined Pursuit of Less by Greg McKeown

9. The Productivity Project: Accomplishing More by Managing Your Time, Attention, and Energy by Chris Bailey

10. Organize Tomorrow Today: 8 Ways to Retrain Your Mind to Optimize Performance at Work and in Life by Jason Selk,Tom Bartow, and Matthew Rudy

11. Clockwork: Design Your Business to Run Itself by Mike Michalowicz

12. Four Thousand Weeks: Time Management for Mortals by Oliver Burkeman

13. Make Time: How to Focus on What Matters Every Day by Jake Knapp and John Zeratsky

14. Time Management in 20 Minutes a Day: Simple Strategies to Increase Productivity, Enhance Creativity, and Make Your Time Your Own by by Holly Reisem Hanna

15. The 4-Hour Workweek: Escape 9-5, Live Anywhere, and Join the New Rich by Tim Ferriss

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7 [Smart] Time Management Strategies for Creative Writers