In 2020, we didn’t accomplish much of what we had planned. The stay-at-home orders during the COVID-19 pandemic made it

even more important to understand the keys to organizing and managing time effectively, so we could maintain life’s momentum despite our shaken confidence in

the present and uncertainty about the future.

Amid the disruption and uncertainty, focusing on time management may seem pointless. You may find yourself asking, “Why should I

spend time planning when my plans could change at any moment?”

Here’s why: Elizabeth Grace Saunders, a time-management coach and author of

“The 3 Secrets to Effective Time Investment,” says she works year-round to coach clients around the world;

and has seen that the secrets to organizing and managing time effectively are more important than ever.

In fact, she believes time management is essential not only for being productive, but also for protecting

your well-being during these turbulent times.

According to Saunders, the secrets to time management come down to three key points:

.

1. Clarify Your Priorities

It’s always important to invest your time in line with your priorities. But during this time of added pressure and stress,

being absolutely clear about what matters most right now is especially urgent and essential.

The priorities you set depend on your situation. If you find yourself juggling your usual work and home responsibilities,

while your children are learning remotely, your main goals may simply be to get your work done and try to keep your family

The right path, getting enough sleep, and of course exercising—all help renew your positive energy and protect your health.

On the other hand, if you’re feeling isolated because you don’t have many people around you and can’t take part in

your usual activities, your priorities may look completely different.

For you, the secret to managing your time lies in investing in activities that improve your mental

and emotional well-being and relationships. This could include exercising, seeing friends and family, volunteering, or doing

whatever you can to maintain a healthy headspace.

Sanders confirmed that psychological stress has increased, especially since last February, contributing to feelings of anxiety and depression. So if you’re feeling

this way yourself, do what you can to help restore your mental well-being, and remember that there are many fresh opportunities

for your future.

If you feel you have a healthy balance between work, life, and mental well-being, you may be ready to try something new, such as volunteering,

getting a promotion, or starting a business and stepping into the world of entrepreneurship.

.

2. Realistic Expectations

One of the secrets to managing your time in 2020 is setting realistic expectations. This is important so you don’t end up feeling frustrated for no reason.

Given everything that’s going on, expect everything to take longer to get done. For example, with many businesses,

you need to call ahead to make sure they’re open and to check their current hours and protocols.

For Sanders, she explained that this year felt the same to her as when she moved into a

new home: you have to figure out where to go.

Mentally preparing yourself for things to take longer helps you avoid getting frustrated. It also helps you figure out how much

You can do it in one day. Maybe you can only get one thing done in the evening—that’s okay.

.

3. Simple routines

When you feel like you can’t control many things in your life, having a few simple routines you can

rely on most of the time can provide an incredible amount of comfort.

They can be as simple as when you wake up in the morning, when you have coffee, going for a walk after work, or the time

you go to bed.

Identify a few simple things that make you feel content, help you focus well, and then enjoy your day. Ideally, they should

be independent of other people’s external influence.