Overwhelmed with your daily to-do list? By acquiring valuable time-management tips that can save you a headache or two in the long run. For many people, managing a stack of menial tasks is a big part of the typical workday. What happens when a coworker calls out for the day and you're asked to pick up their workload? 

Time-management is the process where you are consistently prioritizing your tasks and efficiently dividing your time to meet assigned deadlines. It's all about working smarter. When you learn how to manage your time efficiently, you might find that it's easier to meet deadlines, provide higher-quality work and feel more in control of your work day.

If you test some of the time-management tips suggested when you're not overwhelmed, you might discover where you need to improve and find which strategies work for you. This can help you build effective time-management habits that can increase your productivity during crunchtime.

1. Evaluating How You Spend Your Time

Your time-management plan should always start with an auditing process. To find out where your time is going, try keeping accurate documentation of your tasks and daily activities. Time tracking will allow you to determine how much you can accomplish within a limited timeframe. It will also point out which activities that you can spend less time on in order to boost productivity. When you evaluate where your time is currently going, you'll be able to implement the remaining time-management tips more effectively.

2. Plan Your Day Before It Begins

Creating accountability for yourself can be a repeatable process like starting each day with a task list. Not only is it a great way to manage your time efficiently, you will also be less likely to forget certain tasks or put them off. Putting your most urgent tasks at the top of the list will assist you in determining how much you will realistically accomplish throughout the day.

3. Get Rid of Distractions

If you're working in the office or from home, avoiding distractions is one of the most critical time-management tips to consider. To help you remain focused, try these six ways in order to avoid distractions:

• Close your door or book a block of time in a conference room if you have access to one. If not, consider purchasing noise-cancelling headphones.
• Create a comprehensive schedule of your time and allotted tasks.
• Shut off your mobile device during the workday.
• Consider moving your workspace to a less distracting location away from the kitchen, the main walkway, etc.
• Only check your email periodically when necessary.
• Are you able to start your day an hour earlier?

4. Learning To Say No

When you're swamped with things to do, there are some instances where you can't realistically meet every assigned deadline. Do you have other deadlines that must be prioritized? Don't be afraid to say no or ask for help from a coworker if you’re feeling overwhelmed. Make sure you have good reasons and can communicate them to your supervisor and coworkers.

5. Prioritize Your Tasks

You created a to-do list and you're receiving help from coworkers in terms of being able to meet your deadlines. To keep your workflow moving, consider prioritizing your tasks. You can accomplish this by keeping similar tasks together and remaining focused on the ones with the closest deadlines. If you don't have any firm deadlines, take a look at the tasks on your to-do list and set reasonable completion parameters for each. This will help you focus on one task at a time and allocate your focus into meeting your specified deadline.

6. Utilizing Time-Management Tools

Working consistently and meeting deadlines can sometimes lead to burnout. If you're overworking yourself, you might find that you're less productive. It's important to balance your mental focus with periodic breaks. Time-management software isn't a requirement for staying productive, but it can help tremendously by giving you the flexibility to track your time spent on tasks, creating schedules, building in break-times and also setting deadlines.

7. Saving Complex Tasks For Later

Some tasks can be more mentally taxing than others. You can attempt to avoid burnout by starting your day with more intensive tasks and saving the easier ones for later in the day. For example, if you're writing an article that requires research, consider starting it first thing in the morning. As the day progresses, work on the smaller tasks that require less focus.

Companies Are Hiring!

Don’t let current events throw you off your job search. Companies are currently looking for great talent. Maybe a particular job that you’re looking for won’t be available for a bit, but keep in mind that hiring managers are keen to build relationships with candidates so they can keep their talent pipeline currently active. You may need help finding a job, but companies also need help finding qualified employees.

Soft Skills Are A Must

There have been lots of discussions about the importance of soft skills which just goes to show you how much value they hold in the eyes of hiring managers.

Have A Professional Demeanour At All Times

Since most of the working world has gone remote, that doesn’t mean you should relax your standards. Have a virtual video interview coming up? Dress as if you were meeting the hiring manager or recruiter in person. Don’t forget your mannerisms and be enthusiastic about the opportunity. 

No Fibbing!

We totally get it….internships are being rescinded and with them goes candidates’ enthusiasm. Companies are aware of the struggles that you’re facing in this day and age so don’t diminish your chances by lying about the truth.

Culture Fit Is Essential

Culture is the number one area where you should interview the company as much as they interview you because you don't want to go somewhere where they're going to ask you to fit within an existing framework that may or may not work for you. 

Do Your Homework

Top candidates hunker down and get to know a company's past, present and future. Asking smart questions is another strategy to prove to a hiring manager just how serious you are. 

Keep Your Resume Short and Succinct, Then Apply!

To help increase your chances of getting noticed, take the time to customize each resume you send out. Companies want to know you’re going the extra mile. Worried that you’re not the most qualified candidate for the job? Apply anyway! Studies show that women are less likely to apply for the same job that a man is also on the same skill level for. Let’s break some records ladies!

When it comes to your work experience level and subsequent industry, your next job offer may come with a specified employment contract that you’re asked to sign. While your prospective employer might pass it off as a written agreement, you never want to assume it says what you think it says and sign it without reading through the details.

What is most important is making sure that you’ve taken the time to give all the written items a thorough review and if you are in doubt, make sure to have an attorney weigh in as well.

Here are some important things to take into consideration that might appear in an employment contract.

Is it really a contract?

For every job offer, you can expect a summary of applicable terms, including how much money you’ll make, when you get paid, the bonus structure but keep in mind that doesn’t necessarily mean it’s a contract. A contract is a written agreement that has a specified beginning and end date and may also include provisions relating to termination.

The general rule is that whatever is not included in writing gives the employer the upper hand when it comes to you being forced out. This means that an employer can fire you at any time for any reason. 

Be In The Know Regarding Your State Laws

Before getting into the employment contract line by line, you’ll need to know which state governs your agreement. Do some research to understand how state laws might dictate the terms of your contract.  

The Length of the Employment Contract

Contracts always have a specified set of dates. However, you should be aware of what will happen when the term ends. Some employers might have auto renewal provisions. If your contract automatically renews, be aware that if you wish to renegotiate anything, you should start that discussion before the term expires.

Job Security

Some employees have a contract that dictates the specific ways that they can be terminated. 

You want to avoid any situation surrounding automatic termination clauses. Look for language that specifies that both parties must give 60 days’ notice before terminating the contract.

About The Bucks

The good news is that your hourly rate or base salary and when you get paid is usually straightforward. However, once you get into signing bonuses and commission, things can get confusing. Make sure to confirm what happens to outstanding bonuses and commissions if you end up leaving the job. 

Your Side Hustle

If you do side work outside of your new position, be sure to see if there are any restrictions on outside work within your contract. “

The Non-Compete Clause

Many contracts contain a non-compete clause, which says that if you leave the job, you can’t go work for a competitor for a set amount of time. This is one area in which state law can come into play regardless of what the contract says.

Ownership Changes

Another employment contract provision to look out for is to see if there is any information regarding what happens to your contract if the company is acquired or sold. Plain and simple.

Negotiate Your Compensation Package Before You Sign

No matter what an employment contract looks like when you initially receive it, you have the right to request changes that are essential before signing the dotted line. Most employers expect that you will do this. Take the time you need to make sure your needs are being met. 

In the long run, don’t get caught up in the excitement of a new job opportunity and end up not reviewing all the paperwork for your contractual agreement. Be smart by doing your research, keeping yourself informed and asking for what you truly deserve!