It is the one thing we cannot control or do anything about it.
You feel like you have an infinite amount of it, but in reality, you have a very limited amount of it. You aren’t aware of it.
It’s lost when it is lost.
Everyone knows how precious and gifted it is, yet a very few learn how to manage it. And those who does it become highly successful.
You probably have guessed it.
Yes, I’m talking about TIME.
Time management is one of the essential skill everyone needs to master to succeed.
Let me be honest with you.
I’m not a time management expert. But, I’ve learned my way around it.
I’ve had my moments of highly productive days, days where nothing happened and mixed ones. I’m attending workshops on getting things done and others to improve my efficiency and reduce the wastage.
It’s a work in progress. It is something I really want to keep improving.
As someone who juggles with course creation, blogging, emails, social media, events, training programs, and an agency, I know how important it is for digital marketers to get time management right and this post is to help you do so.
In this blog post, I’m listing the 5 time management secrets I’ve learned from successful digital marketers.
Let’s get to them.
#1: Set Time Limits
Have you heard of Parkinson’s Law?
It’s something we are all familiar with but never understood.
According to it, “Work expands so as to fill the time available for its completion.”
Now you might recognize it.
You probably have spent a day on writing an email reply or coming with the idea for the next blog post or a social media post or picking the right image or a template or a tool.
But, it all changes when you set specific time limits.
Let’s say you want to create the outline for your next blog post. Set yourself a specific time and focus on the task. You can use the countdown timer on mobile or Google.
You’ll be amazed to see you could complete the work within the time limit you set instead of spending the whole day on it. You can apply the technique to all of your work and see your productivity skyrocketing.
#2: Don’t Multitask
I know it’s a shocker.
We all believe we can multitask and handle more. But it’s not.
It’s a myth we were conned into.
In truth, our brain performs much better when it focuses on one task.
While multitasking, the brain has to stop one process, switch and align to another function, then stop that process to get back to the previous process.
It takes as much as twice the time to complete one task because of all the stopping, switching and aligning.
So, don’t multitask.
Also, avoid distractions. Distractions also cause the similar stop, switch, align effect on the brain causing the delay in completing the work.
#3: Take Regular Breaks
Working non-stop and burning midnight oil are not the best productive habits.
Our body works better when it gets regular rest. It’s hardwired to pulse and performs best when you renew the energy at regular intervals.
So, work for 25 minutes, take a 5 minutes break or 50 minutes and take 10 minutes break.
Stretch your legs.
Take a walk.
Drink some water.
Talk to your colleague.
Look at something other than your screen, or do anything you want.
But, take the break. You’ll be able to complete a lot with those breaks then without them.
#4: Plan & Visualize Your Day Ahead
Spend a few minutes in the night on planning your next day. What tasks you want to complete and Which order you want to complete them – make a plan. Visualize your day.
You can save an hour or so when it comes to the execution part. Since your mind is already tuned in to those tasks, you’ll be able to complete them in less time than it usually takes.
You’ll also have less chaos or spend less time thinking about what to do next.
And you’ll be more relaxed, alert, and responsive.
If it’s not possible to do it in the night, you can do it as the first thing in the morning. Plan your day and visualize it.
#5: The Two-Ticks Method
You’ll have a lot on your plate. You’ll have emails to respond, blog posts to write, social media posts to schedule, KPI’s to measure, meetings to attend, and so on. But, how to pick the right task to attend.
In such situations, I use two-ticks method.
Take a sheet of paper or a spreadsheet, list all the tasks in front of you.
Draw to columns next to those tasks and name them urgent & important.
Now grade each of the tasks and put a tick mark in the columns accordingly.
If the task is urgent and important, then put ticks in each of the columns.
Then apply this
If it is
- Urgent and important, then do it immediately or next.
- Not urgent, but important, then put it in the diary or in the to-do list to do later.
- Urgent, but not important, then delegate it to someone else and
- Neither urgent or important, trash it.
That’s it. Simple and effective method to choose and do the work that really matters and creates impact.
And of course, I have the list of our usual culprits who steal our time as a digital marketer.
Don’t be on social media when you should be doing something else. It is easy to get lost and lose the sense of time and work.
Schedule and automate your social media posts. You are a digital marketer, and you should be using automation.
Turn off your mobile or put it in silent mode and keep it face-down when you are working. Keep specific mobile minutes to check and respond. This is probably the hardest of all to follow but will yield the maximum results.
Don’t check your emails and IMs all day along. Schedule a specific time to check them and respond.
In short, time management is critical for our success and, it is the skill of the hour. We digital marketers can hugely benefit if we manage our time little more effectively.
What’s your favorite time management tip?
Have I missed one?
Share it in the comments.
harish says
I am a regular reader of ‘Digital Deepak’ love to read all articles here. Get motivated every time, I want to implement the things but I don’t know why I can’t.
Basu says
Thank you sir thank you very much I will apply in my life…
Bharat J Datta says
Very useful and Sir your tips are always helpful to grow our knowledge. Thank you Sir.
Vikas Disale says
Multitasking is a productivity killer. I always do this, whenever I am working on a specific task I check my Slack Channel and start working on smaller tasks – which require a small amount. This delays my important tasks.
Aman Patel says
Thank you sir for sharing this valuable piece of information.
Subhasish Adhikary says
5th one I will try it.
Ritesh Agrawal says
nice article, keep going dude, u r the best
Karan Parwani says
Must read Article! Loved it
Gopesh Upadhayay says
I am pursuing digital marketing course from digital Vidya for job, can you tell how to proceed with how much experience to get job in top brands, and also should MBA be pursued afterwards
Indrasinh Solanki says
Gret information
Bishnu says
Grate time management secret you explained here…I am trying to implement those ideas..
Thanks for your article and please write some article on digital marketing and seo topic sir..
Namitha says
I agree with the things you said for managing time. I do try a lot to plan accordingly, sometimes it goes beyond of the plan. Always trying best is always the way for success.
Reducing the usage of smartphones helps a lot. Plan accordingly and follow them.
Mahendra says
It is helpful for me and Thanks for nice Post
J.Singh says
It really good article to mange time.Thanks.
R Rayachoti Swamy says
Thank you for 5 Tips, sir,
All are aware of this tips, but no one will follow this even me.
But I want to start to follow your tips from today.
My favorite tip is TWO-TICKS Method.
Thank you sir.
Cyrus says
Am so excited to come across the word The article thought me how to manage my time expecally Urgent task that are not important.
Thanks
Anil Agarwal says
Hi Deepak, another excellent post. It doesn’t matter in what field you are, if you want to be successful, you need to learn how to manage your time effectively. In fact, I feel every successful person knows how to manage their time at least 5 times better than the average person.
The 2 ticks method is really good where you can easily eliminate the unwanted tasks to focus only on the things that really matter for your bottom line. It’s also important to create 3 MIT’s for the day (Most Important Tasks) so you can work on them daily instead of creating a HUGE todo list.
That being said, for me, pomodoro technique works like a charm where you’ll work in blocks of time, typically 25 minutes long (also called as pomodoro sessions), followed by a 5 minute break. You can do 5 pomodoro tasks and take a long 30 minute break. It doesn’t matter whether you’re writing emails or creating blog posts or making videos or researching online, it works great.
#2 is absolutely bang on. People think that they can save more time multi-tasking where in fact, it only kills their productivity levels. It’s better to focus on one task at hand and finish it off without any interruptions.
Thanks for sharing your insights Deepak, keep posting more.
Joel crasta says
The topic discussed on time management for digital marketers is really appreciable as this is required for the people who are new to this industry and not able to manage their valuable asset that is TIME .
Rajeev Gosavi says
I always stay impressed with the simplicity. precision and efficacy with which each and every article/blog/email , etc. is written by D.K., due to the fact the language used is all pervasive and hits at at right spot.
Somehow , though keenly interested, I am not still able to commence my journey into D.M., as I am truly confused about the topic to be chosen, the required content selection, selection of the blog, etc. I had never been into this blog writing , domain selection , etc.
Please help me tide over this tricky element.
santhosh says
Thank you Deepakaji, Your articles are always through lights new useful things to learn and implement it, thanks for article.
Chris John says
“Keep specific mobile minutes to check and respond.” So true. It is the most difficult task I face as an entrepreneur
RATNADIP says
NICE Article particular double mark system is very impressive .
Thank You Sir
Dr N C Ghatak says
Thanks for the good suggestion. Multitasking killing my times, but there is no alternatives. So I follow Ramakrishna Paramhangsa Deb’s advice and do accordingly. Dr N C Ghatak.
Vipul Jayawant says
Hi DEEPAK,
Very simple topic. Mostly known facts but always ignored. Thanks for reminding . That’s why don’t want to miss your blogs. Please keep blogging.
And yes. Waiting for your next product . Already purchased 1) book on dream job.2) 100 day blogging 3) digital mastery. 4) ebook on digital product launch. 5) sold out for next product
Those who are reading this comment trust me. The products of digital DEEPAK are value for money ( in fact has more value than price tag). Highly recommend all above mentioned products.
Shaik imran says
Nice article Deepak sir I was shocked to read that multitasking is a myth and thanks for giving tips on time management the best part was the two ticks methods and automating the FB post
Shaik imran says
would love to learn more about time management from you sir
Gajendra matcho says
I am happy every day. I am Jay every hour. I am smiling every minute. And I am thinking every second about your thoughts,
Thank you very much sir,
Sudharshan says
Right blog at right time for me. Thanks Deepak, I personally agree the 1st point since i was taking 1 or 2 days to write a blog.
I think right time to follow this.
Sameer kumar says
This is the best tips on time management. All points are very relatable to daily life. I personally liked 1st and 2nd tips and tried to apply after reading this blog and it’s working quite well for me. Thanks for sharing this really very helpful.
Swati Sinha says
Hi Deepak,
I liked your idea of two ticks method. Will surely try doing it. My bigger problem is to be consistent on following a pattern. Pls suggest some points on how to be consistent on time management.
Thanks
swati sinha says
Hi Mr. Deepak,
You have given soome very useful tips. Will try and implement the two tricks method for sure.
amit drabu says
I believe in multitasking as it helps manage multiple things on my website dmdirection.com. I have to quickly generate ample traffic strategies and write articles at the same time. At the same time, I have to plan social media activities. Some much work to do and so little time.
Nevertheless, your article is informative as usual. Thanks Deepak!
Dr.Murlidhar Manilal bhawsar says
urgent and important task mannagement is too nice sugetion
mustafa Mala says
Deepak is a digital Guru and a very nice person have met him in 2 seminars
love his work
this is really useful if you could link some apps too along that helps in time management would be added advantage
sam says
I was just looking for this article, thanks
Paras Arora says
Hi Deepak, I have heard a lot good about you. I already about section of your site, this is the same happen to me. I am a digital marketing accidentally but now I like it the most. The problem I am facing is time management and your tips are really helpful for me.
___
Thanks
Paras
varsha says
Hello sir,
Great article on time management.
I really needed it.
thanks
Aishwarya says
Really nice, simple and to the point article as always. Thank you for that, sir.
But I have a doubt with two ticks method. If it’s an urgent but not important task, and one doesn’t have anyone to delegate it to, what he/she should do in that scenario?
Sandeep says
Thanks for this time management blog.
sourav says
Really practical advises ..
I found your #2 Don’t Multitask and #5 The two ticks method really interesting.
I knew I fail a lot when I try to multitask, it not only takes more time but quality and result also become disappointing. But somehow I need to remind myself after few months. I guess due pressure of too many work items, i keep on making multitasking mistake.
Now, the two ticks method is new. It is so simple. I will certainly try to use it from now on. It will help me to set priority of tasks in my hand. Hope this will also solve “too many tasks at hand” problem.
Digital Aroma says
Thank You for sharing such a wonderful article.
Jey Ganesh says
Sometimes I couldn’t believe this… because how can we create content and publish videos for YouTube if I don’t have a single staff?
Pruthviraj says
#Plan & visualize your day.
Is the best topic I liked it, because most of the time we use to plan our day. But we couldn’t able to complete the tasks by procrastinating things other days. I learn from this is what plan we should complete.
vikas arya says
# 5: The Two-Ticks Method Matters To Me
Thanks a lot, sir,
For this article