Perfectionism and time management

Are you a perfectionist?

Do you set your standards high and strive towards impossibly high goals?

Do you spend tremendous efforts on tiny details at the expense of other tasks? 

Do you avoid participating in something you don't excel at?

You can't help noticing the small imperfections in anything, don't you?

If yes, you are definitely struggling with your time management too.

Do you want me to confess how long it takes me to write a blog post? Better not...

Perfectionism and my poor time management made me start seriously thinking of finding a balance between my work time and family time. I went off looking for tips on how to manage my time and energy smartly.

 So, Time Management is my biggest blogging, personal and writing challenge ever.

Here are 5 tips you give a try to improve your Time Management Skills too.

5 Time Management Tips for Perfectionists

1- Get Started

A close cousin of perfectionism is procrastination. Instead of putting off my tasks thinking that I will do them tomorrow with twice more effort, I will just start now even with baby steps. 
When you see that you are productive, you will feel better and more satisfied. It's easier to complete the task and then improve it than spend endless amounts of time on low-priority details at the beginning.

2- Disconnect

I will remove any distractions, turn off mobile notifications and set firm uninterrupted time to complete my tasks. It's not how long you work, it's how smart you work.

3- Focus on Single Tasks

For some people like me, multi-tasking just doesn't work. I will try single-tasking, set one or a couple of goals per day and try to accomplish them one by one.

4 - Ask for Help

Whenever possible I will reach someone for a helping hand.
Never underestimate the impact of the assistance you can get (no matter how small) and how much time it can save you. Have someone do the rough work and you will execute your final "perfect" touches.

And finally

5 - Set S.M.A.R.T Goals 

I will not fly high and will make sure that my goals are S-pecific, M-easurable, A-ttainable, R-ealistic and T-ime Bound. 

Read more about S.M.A.R.T Goal Setting strategy here.

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For more about Time Management, read - How to Improve Time Management