Even the Small Tasks Take Up Time

No matter how important or unimportant a task is, it takes time. Even the most simple, common, and unimportant thing takes time to do. Creating an article on your computer. Finding a file on a cluttered desk. Rummaging through your drawers for a pair of earrings or pen. Rearranging your bookshelf. Categorizing your CD and movie collections. Going through your cupboards trying to find that small bag of baking soda. Or why not, even arranging your closet and trying to find your favorite pair of pants. All these tasks use up time.

Making sure you organize everything is the key to effectively managing your time. Having a well-organized file document tree in your computer will make it easy for you to locate files such as research notes, correspondence and photos. In the same vein, a desk where things are neatly arranged and have their own place is a desk that is easy to work on. Things that are properly stored and categorized in drawers, bookshelves, boxes and cupboards can be easily located with a minimum amount of fuss and frustration. A closet where clothes are grouped according to the season or any functional use will make it easy for you to locate the clothes you are looking for. An organized closet enables you to know where to search for what.

When you take the time to undertake small organizing tasks such as the ones mentioned above, you will eventually be able to efficiently and effectively manage your time better. If you organize everything, the time you used in trying to find something amid a cluttered desk before can now be allocated towards tasks that may be bigger, more important or more urgent.

Then, if you want to make the best use of your time, make a list of the activities or tasks you need to accomplish on a given day or time frame. And if you want to be even more accurate, put in this list all the things you have to do, including the smallest ones. By creating and constantly referring to this list, you will know exactly what you have to do and when and will better be able to organize everything.

Aside from those activities that we consider as normal activities, you can include simple activities in your to-do list. These simple activities include writing letters, clearing the drawers, sending emails, writing checks, clip your nails, feeding the dog or cat, surfing the web, shaving yourself, and such. These types of activities can even be done during your free time or during the remaining time after you have finished a major chore or task.

You can even make a list of all the things that you can do in five minutes. The next time you find yourself with nothing to do or you have some idle time, go over this list and do those tasks you can do in five minutes or less. Cross out those five-minute activities as soon as you get them done. And as soon as you think of a five-minute activity, add it to your list.

With time and practice, you will be able to easily incorporate these simple, five-minute activities into your daily routine. You will find that you can do one or two of the activities in your Five-Minute To-Do List in between breaks from your bigger tasks or when you have a lull in your schedule.