Part of the balancing act of life is learning how to prioritize. We often spend the majority of our time doing things that are urgent but may not necessarily be effective for achieving our long term goals. Our priorities are based on what we value (achievement, independence, integrity) and are determined by our goals (promotion at work, education, volunteering). Once we have established our priorities we can learn how to manage our time. One effective way to do this is to use the Pareto Principle or the 80/20 rule. In using this rule specifically for time management you will find the majority of your productivity comes from a small portion of your projects. Start prioritizing your projects in order of importance, based on your own values and goals. And remember that flexibility is key as well, because as your life changes so will your priorities. Try these time-management tips for a more productive life.

Get a jump start on your day - Before you go to bed make a list of the top 5 things that you want to accomplish the next day. Put a time frame next to each task. This is an effective method of scheduling.

See it, be it - Post your goals above your work area. Studies have shown that when people write down their goals and put them in a visible place they have a better chance at realizing them.

Long term vs. short term - We all have long and short term goals. Determine your long term goal and then use short term goals as a way to reach your long term goal.

Maximize gain - Start on the most important tasks immediately. This strategy will maximize your gains.

Map it out - Do you have a ton of errands and seemingly no time? Is the dry cleaner on the way to the grocery store which is down the street from the post office? You’ll find that you can get a lot done in less time if you write down a list of all of your errands and map them out.