Hierarchy of Time Management

As a Law Enforcement Officer, your entire careers consists of law and order. However, keeping that same discipline in our own lives is not always an easy task. Now, time is something that is completely out of our control…there will always only be 24 hours in a day, and 60 minutes in each hour. What you can control, however, is how you manage yourself and your goals in that time. All it takes is a little focus and discipline, and as Officers, that is something we are quite familiar with.

Did you know that people who have better time management skills tend to suffer from less stress? That’s because their lives are more organized, leading to more productivity and an overall better sense of self. Here are some tips to help you bring law and order into your time management routine:

1. Make a list of your goals and priorities. Examine each and determine which are long term goals and which are short term goals. Determine the steps needed for each. When you can divide any project step by step, it’s not as daunting, and you feel more accomplished with each completed step!

2. Use a planner, calendar, or a to-do list. Don’t fall for the “out of sight, out of mind” trap! Having a list or some kind of reminder keeps you accountable for your time and how you used it. Keep track of completed and incomplete tasks throughout the day to see where you can manage your time or energy better.

3. Determine and delete distractions! Life in this world of technology is full of distractions, and when you add in a family life, it only multiplies. Determine what distracts you and which items you can eliminate or control. Do you find yourself online when you could be completing a goal? Or maybe while you’re focused, your phone keeps ringing. Set guidelines for yourself to delete the distractions at the appropriate times.

4. Be yourself!! Everyone has their own rhythm, their own energy cycle. Some people have more energy in the morning, and we all know those night owls who seem to perk up somewhere around 4pm! Take a moment and consider your body’s natural pattern, and adjust your tasks accordingly. You can’t follow anyone else’s pattern, so you might as well get familiar with your own! The tasks that require the most energy should be scheduled at times you have the most. Smaller tasks can be moved to times that you don’t.

Each Officer is an individual, therefore we all have to develop our own routines for ourselves. Give these tips a shot, and if you find yourself more on track, stick to the plan. If not, do some research for other methods until you find what works for you. Where there is a will, there is a way. And in no time you will find yourself feeling more balanced, more productive, and dealing with one less stressful issue in your life!

Tune in this Saturday at 11:30am East Coast on www.ddvradio.com as we discuss “The Hierarchy of Time Management”.