The inadequate organization of time is one of the most common sources of stress and anxiety that we can suffer, but, fortunately, we have the capacity to manage it.

Being aware that we possess this power improves our well-being and quality of life in a remarkable way. And although it is not always easy for us to do so, selecting priorities and objectives, delegating tasks, saying “no” at the right time… these are actions that can favour our emotional balance and can free us from frustration.

Tips for managing time

With an intelligent outline of Sergio Fernández on productivity and time management, this week, M.ª Teresa Mata , psychologist from the Mensalus Institute of Psychological and Psychiatric Assistance, launches a reflection on the management of priorities and the pursuit of vital purposes.

“I don’t have time” is a feeling that, at some point, we have all verbalized…

Right. The good news is that we have in our hands the ability to manage it. Managing time is real. This is something that, when we discover it, makes us feel tremendously powerful.

Hard as it may be to believe, not everything is a priority. Now. Saying “no” is a much more complicated task than it seems. Otherwise, we’d stop overloading our agendas with seemingly indispensable items. Releasing, slowing down, rejecting and delegating are actions that require training, training related to the choice of objectives and the conservation of vital energy.

What should this choice consider?

Priority management is important to be true to life’s purpose. For this reason, listening to our will facilitates the establishment of limits and the manifestation of the right to get rid of “the superfluous” (that which, at first, we point out as “I must” and, after evaluating the degree of costs and benefits, we catalogue as “I don’t want it”).

We are used to operating under constant distractions and interruptions resulting from external demands and, let’s not deny it, self-demands (“I want to be in everything”). Also, we often “give away” life time to tasks that do not reward us (“for what it costs me, is it worth it?”). Being mentally organized is essential to live the time, to savor it, and not to compete daily (“I feel like I’m not getting there”) The famous “I feel like I’m not getting there” is a source of anxiety.

How can we win the battle?

An interesting concept is that of “firewalls”: indicators that force us to finish the task. The worst enemy of the firewall is perfectionism. Satisfying its desires translates into a bottomless pit, a “thief” of vital time. Working well is different from living to work, so tasks have to accept some imperfection. Otherwise, we will delay the next objective and, of course, feel that we cannot cope with everything. In this sense, postponing and delaying is a drag on productivity. Any decision involves a loss, however small. Taking it on is what makes us free and relieves us of unwanted demands.

What other aspects add up to anxiety?

Again, thoughts related to pending tasks (“I have to remember”). Writing down the task (and, taking advantage of new technologies, associating it with a warning) is a recommendation known to all. Still, we don’t spend enough time on realistic planning and organizing the agenda. Why? Possibly because of the famous “must, must, must” belief.

That said. We can implement many organizational systems, more or less visual, more or less sophisticated (e.g.: “make lists, create filters, put the phone on silent, point by colors, delete e-mails, check the tasks of the month”, etc.) but, allowing ourselves will be the element that really decides if we are productive or not (if we cover a coherent work/demand level).

What else can we do to remember that not having time is simply a feeling?

Have you tried to say “no” to unexpected requests, apparently attractive plans that turn into real Tetris games that are impossible to fit into, meetings where you talk more than you work, breakfasts that take longer, tasks that can be delegated (“I have to go/do it myself”), etc.? On the other hand, the “I don’t have time” becomes an excuse not to stop and think about everything that is in our lives. Putting an expiration date on “what’s left over” is the first step.

From Coaching and Psychotherapy we draw the necessary steps to achieve this. Today, to start the year, we are left with a very graphic and intelligent scheme. We hope you find it useful.