Productivity & Time Management | Managing Stress Effectively

[Please be advised that some of the links provided are affiliate links and I do receive a small commission if you make a purchase using those links]

My personal goal for 2018 has been to manage stress effectively. At the outset of the year, I knew it would be important for me to determine how to acknowledge stress without allowing it to cripple my productivity. For me, managing stress productively is a combination of good planning, with avenues for creativity thrown in. Those creative moments are the moments that I am able to use other parts of my brain and let go of my tightly held to do list. I pair creativity with a mix of digital and paper planning to keep track of the various buckets I am responsible for maintaining. Paired together, my productivity system helps me manage stress by taking away the worry caused by a lack of organization or procrastination and helps me focus on my goals.

Productivity

My mind easily manages large goals, and I am able to break down the steps to achieve said goals. However, what was missing in my system is a concrete process for prioritizing tasks and tackling my plan with intention, hence effective time management. Managing my time allows my very creative brain to just do. This revelation is a product of four particular time management strategies:

1. Getting Things Done Method by David Allen
2. Time Blocking
3. Pomodoro Technique by Francesco Cirillo
4. Priority List System by Tonya Dalton

I have taken bits and pieces from each of these systems to maximize my daily productivity. Yes, I multitask well, but that does not mean that I am using my time effectively to achieve goals.

The Getting Things Done Method introduced me to the idea of having a bucket for everything and illustrated the importance of jotting down every single idea that comes across my mind. This is especially helpful for planning blog and Youtube content. I have to keep track of content ideas and subscriber requests; alongside tracking stats, managing the progress of tasks, as well as ongoing projects. I also officially started my own business this year, so I keep track of paperwork as well. David Allen lays out a concrete system that I have adapted to work for me in the digital age. I keep a paper and digital Inbox, as well as paper files and an organized email account to accommodate a less paper-heavy system. Pairing these methods with planning is where Time Blocking becomes useful.

Time Management

Time blocking is very helpful on the days I do not go to the office, but still need to accomplish quite a few tasks. Creating designated times to work on a particular task prevents me from moving to another idea before thoroughly flushing out my current chore. Color coding blocks off time on my Google Calendar and adds visual deadlines to the content I am creating. This system also doesn’t leave room for me to dwell inappropriately long on any single task. Do I always stick to the prescribed times? Rarely, but they do organize my leisure days, and ensure I give myself time to relax. It can be harder to focus on leisure days, so the Pomodoro technique adds a necessary layer of structure to loose days.

The Pomodoro technique has helped me focus when there is a task I am avoiding for whatever reason. I am able to focus on accomplishing my task, give my brain a break, and jump right back in. Usually, I use this technique for editing and writing because it’s easy to walk away and come back. Surprisingly, the Pomodoro technique is incredibly helpful for household tasks as well. I detest laundry and vacuuming, so I set my timer and get to work cleaning using as many timed sessions as necessary.

Lastly, the Inkwell Press Priority List System has revolutionized my to-do list, so that I am prioritizing my tasks appropriately. I still create long to-do lists, but listing by priority ensures that no important tasks fall between the cracks. This method also ensures that I focus on completing the most important tasks for the day, and allows me peace of mind when I need to push an unimportant task to another day. More importantly, these systems for productivity work beyond my feelings.

Managing Stress

This summer, I hit an emotional slump (I needed a break, but I will touch on that later). However, because I curated such a comprehensive productivity system, I worked very effectively despite feelings of uncertainty and/or overwhelm. It was also at this time that I realized that a regular creative component to allow my brain a break from such a driven lifestyle is a must. Enter stickers.

Yes, stickers. I use stickers in my planners to add visual interest, and because I enjoy using the planner more when I can decorate I actually look forward to my little daily planning session. Color coding on my google calendar also adds just a touch of creativity to the organization. I use stickers that reflect my mood for the week, stickers to label my tasks and to highlight items as important. The stickers are functional, but also allow my brain a little fun on a daily basis. Of course, I practice other means of self-care, but stickers and color coding to ensure that I give a nod to the purely creative aspects of my brain regularly. No system is perfect, and mine is forever evolving, but I truly feel that my days are productive. However, the true evidence of successful time management lies within achieving goals. So, I wish you much productivity in 2019!