Time Management Tips

Do you have a difficult time managing your time? Does it seem that nothing every gets accomplished? I have interviewed psychotherapist Negar Khaefi to help give you tips on what you can do to improve your time management skills.

Tell me a little bit about yourself.
"I'm Negar Khaefi, a licensed psychotherapist (MFT) practicing in Los Angeles, California. I specialize in the treatment of anxiety disorders such as Panic Disorder, Phobias, OCD, Social Phobia, and PTSD. I received my BA in Psychology from UCLA, and my MA from Pepperdine. I have 15 years of experience in this field, and I couldn't love it more. It is a constant source of inspiration to me."

What are common mistakes people make when managing their time?
"That is a good question. Some common mistakes include not writing things down that you have to do, and trying to go on memory alone. If a list is not made with time allocations, then inevitably something is forgotten or overlooked, and frustration ensues. Some do make lists, but they make their lists unrealistically long with time consuming tasks. Many people have difficulty gauging how much time a task might take. For example, they feel that they can get their punctured tire patched within half an hour, and only budget that amount of time. They don't account for time needed to drive there, wait time in long lines, etc. Another common mistake is that people get distracted and side tracked. They are lured into a coffee shop, or lose track of time putting on make-up or picking out the right tie. Before they know it an hour has passed."

What types of impact can poor time management have on a person's overall life?
"Poor time management can have serious detrimental affects on a person's life. Some individuals are so lacking in time management skills that they keep loved ones waiting for event after event, causing frustration, relationship disturbance, and fighting. Poor time management can lead to failure in school due to incomplete assignments, and failure to prepare adequately for tests. Jobs are lost due to chronic tardiness, lack of sleep, or untimely completion of tasks. I have seen this happen over and over again in my practice, and it is very sad because so much of these misfortunes can be prevented with good time management training."

What is some great time management tips that you can give readers?
"There are many great ways to manage your time. One simple way is to take 10 minutes the night before to make a list of tasks to be accomplished the next day, and allocating a certain amount of time for each task. This takes some simple addition skills, and it is easy to do, all you need is a pen and a piece of paper. So for example: Scrub bathroom sink: (20 minutes), Visit grandma (2 hours), and so forth. Another tool is to buy a calendar with times written out for each day, and not only write in it, but LOOK AT IT each day to see what you have to do that day. If you are a serious lagger, you might want to time your activities with a timer or alarm clock. Finally, if all has failed and you feel like you are stuck in routines that take up all your time, then it is time to seek help.

Obsessive Compulsive Disorder is a serious mental illness that may be causing your time management dilemma. Other issues that may be hindering you are Depression, Generalized Anxiety Disorder, insecurities, fears, and any number of other mental health issues."

Thank you Negar for the interview on time management. If you would like more information on Negar Khaefi you can check out her website on http://negarkhaefi.com.

Recommended Readings:
How to Get Rid of Your Closet Clutter