We’ve all experienced the woes of time management at work. You wake up hopeful and optimistic—not only will you meet all your deadlines, but you’ll hit the gym and make a healthy home-cooked meal, too. 

Then life happens. You leave late, you hit traffic, and you arrive at your desk already frustrated with the world. Sitting down to finally knock out that project you’ve been procrastinating for weeks, you realize you’ve got back-to-back meetings until noon—and yes, you’re already late for the first one. You finally walk out of the last meeting, and you start wading through emails when you get pulled into a meeting with the VP. He has a last-minute request for you. “It should only take an hour,” he says. Try three. 

The good news is that there are ways to reclaim those seemingly elusive lost hours of the day. It’s all about personal time management—manage your time instead of letting it manage you. We’ve got ten time management tips for work to get you started

1. Figure out how you’re currently spending your time.

If you’re going to optimize your personal time management, you first need to figure out where the time is going. Try diligently logging your time for a week by tracking your daily activities. This audit will help you: 

• Determine how much you can feasibly accomplish in a day.

• Identify timesucks.

• Focus on activities that provide the greatest returns. 

As you conduct this time audit, it will become pretty clear how much of your time is spent on unproductive thoughts, conversations, and activities.

You’ll gain a more accurate sense for how long certain types of tasks take you (which will be very helpful for executing on a later tip). This exercise can also help you determine the time of day when you are most productive—that way, you know when to work on your projects requiring the most focus and creativity.

2. Create a daily schedule—and stick with it.

Daily Schedule (Click on image to modify online)

This step is absolutely crucial for learning how to manage time at work. Don’t even attempt starting your day without an organized to-do list. Before you leave work for the day, create a list of the most pressing tasks for the next day. This step allows you to get going as soon as you get to the office.

Putting everything on paper will prevent you from lying awake at night tossing and turning over the tasks running through your brain. Instead, your subconscious goes to work on your plans while you are asleep, which means you can wake up in the morning with new insights for the workday.

If you can’t do it the day before, make sure you write out your list first thing in the morning. You’ll find that the time you spend creating a clear plan is nothing compared to the time you’ll lose jumping between tasks when you lack such a plan.  

Learn how to create a time management schedule that works for you.

Learn more

3. Prioritize wisely.

As you organize your to-do list, prioritization is key for successful time management at work. Start by eliminating tasks that you shouldn’t be performing in the first place. Then identify the three or four most important tasks and do those first—that way, you make sure you finish the essentials.

Evaluate your to-do list and make sure you organized it based on the importance of a task rather than its urgency. Important responsibilities support the achievement of your goals, whereas urgent responsibilities require immediate attention and are associated with the achievement of someone else’s goals. We tend to let the urgent dominate when we should really focus on activities that support our business goals.

To avoid this pitfall, use one of the time management tips for work found in Stephen Covey’s book First Things First. He offers the following time management matrix, known as the Eisenhower matrix, as an organizational tool for prioritizing tasks based on these ideas of importance and urgency.

4. Group similar tasks together.

Save yourself time and mental energy by trying to complete all of one type of to-do before moving on to the next. For example, create separate chunks of time for answering emails, making phone calls, filing, etc. Don’t answer emails and messages as they come in, as doing so is distraction at its finest. Turn off your phone and email notifications to completely eliminate the temptation to check at an unappointed time.

5. Avoid the urge to multitask.

This is one of the simplest time management tips for work, yet it can be one of the hardest to follow. Focus on the task at hand and block out all distractions. It can be tempting to multitask, but you’re just shooting yourself in the foot when you attempt to do so. You lose time and decrease productivity when switching from one task to another.

Similarly, don’t get overwhelmed by a to-do list stretching a mile long. Stressing over it will not make it shorter, so breathe in, breathe out, and take it one task at a time.

6. Assign time limits to tasks.

Part of creating your schedule should involve setting time limits on tasks instead of just working until they’re done. To-do lists are great and wonderful, but sometimes you might feel like you never check anything off.

If you’re looking to set a steady pace to your workflow, the Pomodoro Technique can help you check off your to-do list in 25-minute chunks, taking short breaks between each stint and a longer break after completing four. This technique balances a narrow focus with frequent breaks, reducing mental strain and maintaining motivation. 

If you’d rather set your own pace, timeboxing allows you to block out varied amounts of time. Use your time log (step #1) to get an estimate for how long an activity will take you. Once you’ve spent the designated amount of time on that task, move on to the next important activity. You’ll find your productivity skyrocketing and your to-do list shrinking when you have these parameters in place.

Timeboxing Example (Click on image to modify online)

7. Build in buffers.

One of the more enjoyable time management tips for work: Make breaks a part of your schedule. When you finish a task, give yourself time to breathe. Take mini breaks to recharge, whether that be a short walk, a game of ping pong, some meditation, etc.

8. Learn to say no.

You’ll never learn how to manage time at work if you don’t learn how to say no. Only you truly know what you have time for, so if you need to decline a request in order to focus on more important tasks, don’t hesitate to do so. And if you take on a project that is obviously going nowhere, don’t be afraid to let it go.

Rather than doing a lot of tasks that yield little or no value, complete fewer tasks that create more value. Remember the 80/20 rule—80% of your output comes from 20% of your inputs. Focus your efforts accordingly.

If you can’t say no, delegate it. While delegating can be a hard skill to learn, it can work wonders for your personal time management. You’ve put together a talented team, so determine the tasks you can pass on.

9. Get organized.

For effective time management, this tip needs to actually go on your to-do list. If you have piles of papers scattered all over your desk, finding the one you actually need will be like finding a needle in a haystack. There are few things as frustrating as wasting valuable time looking for misplaced items. Not to mention how hard clutter can make it to focus.

Little things make a big difference. Create a filing system for documents. Unsubscribe to emails you no longer need. Just think—you only have to do it once, but you get the benefits forever.

10. Eliminate distractions.

Social media, web browsing, co-workers, text messages, instant messaging—the distractions at work can be limitless. A key to personal time management is being proactive about getting rid of them. Shut your door to limit interruptions. Close all tabs except the ones you are currently working on. Turn off messaging notifications and leave your personal phone calls for lunch.

Take baby steps. Identify your top two distractions and focus on conquering those for two weeks. And remember that getting enough sleep, drinking enough water, and eating healthily can all help you stay focused during the workday—especially when that afternoon slump hits.

There you have it—ten tips for time management at work that can take your productivity to a whole new level. You’ll be hitting the gym and cooking like Martha Stewart in no time. 

The post The Top 10 Ways to Practice and Master TIme Management appeared first on Maple Knoll Apartments Blog.

Spring has here, which means it's time for some good ol' spring cleaning! If you're like most people, spring cleaning is a chore you'd rather avoid. It might be difficult to know where to begin, particularly if you reside in an apartment building. That's why we've compiled a list of five spring cleaning suggestions tailored exclusively for apartment dwellers. If you follow these suggestions, spring cleaning will be a breeze!

1. Tackle the grossest first:

This may sound obvious, but it's critical to begin with the dirtiest cleaning duties first. You'll be able to get them out of the way and move on to the less unpleasant jobs. You'll be glad you did, we promise!
– Begin with the bathroom: As one of the dirtiest rooms in an apartment complex, the bathroom is a good spot to begin your spring cleaning. Make sure the toilet, sink, and shower/bathtub are all clean. Remember to scrub those tile floors as well!
– Then it's straight to the kitchen: Another room that is notoriously filthy is the kitchen. Make sure to clean both the interior and outside of your appliances.

2. Remember your pets:

-Cleaning products that are safe for pets.
– Laundry: Pet hair can easily end up in your laundry, so shake out all of your clothes before throwing them in the washer. This will keep your drains from becoming clogged with pet hair.
– Furniture: Because pets enjoy lounging on furniture, be sure to vacuum or shampoo your couches and chairs.
– Carpets: Another breeding habitat for pet hair is carpets. Vacuum them on a regular basis, and if you have pets, remember to spring clean with them in mind. To keep your floors free of pet hair, sweep and vacuum on a regular basis. You might also want to consider purchasing quality brushes, such as the Furminator!

3. Get to those pesky corners :

– Use a vacuum attachment: Vacuum attachments are helpful for getting into tight spots and corners. Make sure your vacuum cleaner has the suitable attachment and get to work!
– Use a broom: Don't worry if you don't have a vacuum attachment. A broom can also suffice. Just make sure to clean the dirt off the baseboards.

4. Take care of your light fixtures

– It's crucial to look after your light fixtures if you have them in your home. While light fixtures may appear to be little details, they can have a significant impact on the overall appearance of your home. They can also produce issues like flickering lights or uneven light distribution if they aren't properly maintained. Fortunately, maintaining your light fixtures is pretty simple.
– You begin, be sure to dust them on a regular basis to avoid build-up.
– Next, inspect the bulbs and replace them if necessary.
– Finally, if any of your parts are broken, replace them as soon as possible.
You can keep your light fixtures in good shape and guarantee that your home always looks its best by following these simple procedures.

5. Put things in order

Putting things in order is one of the most effective ways to spring clean your home. This entails decluttering and organizing your space for a few minutes. Not only will this help you keep more organized in the future, but it will also make your home look cleaner. It can also save you time by making it easier to locate items when you need them. So, the next time you're spring cleaning, make sure to set aside some time to organize your belongings. It's possible that you'll be astonished at how much of a difference it makes.
These are just a few spring cleaning suggestions for apartment complex residents. You can help maintain your home clean by following these suggestions.

The post The Best Spring Cleaning Tips for a Fresh Start appeared first on Maple Knoll Apartments Blog.

We all have our hobbies, interests, work habits, and more. Finding an apartment that uniquely matches your individual needs is not always easy in today’s market.

We have put together some tips on how to find the right apartment for your lifestyle, making your search that much easier.

Do Some Soul Searching

Before you even start looking for an apartment, know what you want from it.

If you are ecstatic about rooftops, put that on your list. Do you need the gym or are you planning on having a gym membership? Will you actually sit by the pool? Or would you rather have a place closer to work without one? Business centers can help if you work from home or print things often. 

These things and more can all cost you money, so make sure they fit your lifestyle before you pay for them. 

Don’t Get Caught with Problematic Roommates

If you are going to live with other people, make sure their lifestyle fits yours as well. Even the best apartment can be burdened by roommates who do not respect your lifestyle. Don’t be afraid to meet with them multiple times and ask for references before you move in with them. Talk to them about their schedules, their daily habits, cleanliness, and their ability to pay rent. If you’re signing a lease together, make sure you can count on them. 

Location and Workplace

Are you always at the office, or do you work from home? Is your job demanding enough that you need a business center? Do you want amenities that help you destress after work? 

Research suggests living closer to work reduces stress and leads to a happier life. Or maybe you are a social butterfly and you want to live close to nightlife. If you love nature, find out where the parks and recreational areas are. If you don’t have a car, is there a bus or train nearby?

Maybe you are an artist and need a huge space to create your work.

These little aspects of location and workspace can make a huge difference in your quality of life. 

A Home for Your Pet

If you have a dog or cat, see if your apartment offers a pet-friendly environment. Maybe they allow pets, but the space is too crowded for your eager Labrador. A pet deposit can be costly, and some pet-friendly apartments are more expensive than those that aren’t. Find the most welcoming place for your pet without breaking the bank. 

With so many apartment homes to choose from in such a competitive market, it can be tough to choose one that fits your budget and lifestyle. Our team at Farmington Lakes is here to help, so feel free to contact us with any questions! 

The post How to Choose an Apartment that Matches Your Lifestyle appeared first on Maple Knoll Apartments Blog.