You know what you need to do to manage your time well, you have your plan of action, but are you motivated enough to make the most of your time? Hopefully the following tips will be helpful:

• Remind yourself of how you will feel if you complete everything on your to do list. Recall the William James quote: "Nothing is so fatiguing as the eternal hanging on of an uncompleted task."

• Try to do the worst/most important task first.

• If you find yourself sat at your desk knowing you should be doing something important but instead are doing something wasteful,  give up on both and go do something you would enjoy doing. You may not get the should-do task done, but at least you put your time to good use.

• Don’t take on more just because you are managing your time better. Use it to give yourself the free time you really did not think you had. And don’t feel guilty about it.

• Reward your work. Do not reward your non-work.

• Get bored by routine? Vary your schedule regularly, so you’ll never get fed up.

• Give the task at hand its full attention. Don’t worry about what comes next; look at your to-do list once the present task is complete.

• Try to surround yourself with positive people who will encourage you in your quest for making the most of your time.

• Try to live in the moment. Be aware of what you are doing at present. It may help you work towards achieving your goals, putting your time to doing more beneficial things, and hopefully stop you procrastinating.

• Time flies when you’re having fun, so enjoy doing what you do, whatever it is. Tell yourself you choose to do it, rather than have to do it. A change in mindset can be a good motivator.

• Make time for things you want to be doing. Perhaps schedule them for after you have accomplished your must-do tasks.

• If you slip back into activities that you know are not productive and are just wasting your time, recognise that there really is no getting back of that time, ever.

• Make time just for yourself each day.

• Always take your holidays. You want to avoid burnout and regular rests will help.

• Eat well. Don’t skip meals and snack healthily. This will help ensure you have the energy to do the things you want to do.

• Sleep well. A good night’s sleep will help you be at your best.

Other time management articles

The importance of time management.
Are you managing your time well?
How to manage your time.