10 Better WaysTo Effectively Manage your Time As A Teen

First of all, just try saying that title as fast you can repeatedly.
If you are doing that right now, then you really need this post to help you with your time!
Yesterday, I was interviewed by a writer who was working on an article for a national magazine about helping students better manage their time.  We talked about a lot of different thoughts and ideas, but I thought I would share with you 10 tips to get you going with time management…

1.                    1.)  Learn To Say No – Most of us are people pleasers who hate disappointing others.  So we say “yes” more than we should and end up taking on more than we can handle.  What’s one thing you need to say ‘NO’ to this week

2.                  2.)   You Can’t Be Liked By Everybody – If you start saying “no” to invites, requests, or opportunities,  people    may initially be offended.  Realize in your mind you’re going to let others down (this guy is not very motivational!).  Is it more important to be liked or respected?

3. Have An Outlet – In your car, you’ve got a gauge that goes from an ‘F’ to an ‘E’.  When it gets to an ‘E’, you go refill, recharge, and reconnect so you can continue on your journey.  What do you like to do for fun that gives you life?

4. Keep Track Of Your Time – Have you ever noticed that it’s possible to be really, really busy and yet really, really unproductive?  For one week, write down what you do every single minute of the day and evaluate where your time is really going.  Are you really as busy as you think you are?

5. You Can’t Have It All – You can’t be quarterback of the football team, student body president, captain of the chess club, have a 4.0 GPA, be manager at McDonald’s, get into Harvard, and be Xbox champion of the world.  What do you need to sacrifice?

6. Determine What Matters Most – Until you answer the question of what matters most to you, then everything is important and nothing is important.  How do you know what to say ‘no’ to and what to say ‘yes’ to?  What matters most to you?

7. You Have A Capacity – You only have 24 hours in a day, 7 days a week.  You have a capacity.  You have limits.  You can’t do it all.  Stop trying.  What areas of your life are you trying to do too much?

8. You Must Have Margin – Have you noticed that they make the lanes a little bit wider than your car?  Why?  Because they’ve seen how some of you drive!  You need that margin.  You need that space in life that gives you some breathing room.  Do you have any margin in your life right now?

9. Have A System For You – Where do you keep your schedule?  Your to-do list?  Reminder notes?  You can use some type of technology such as a Smartphone, PDA, or Google tools.  Or you may just use good old fashioned paper and pen.  Just do what works for you.  What tools are you using to organize your life?

10. Be Proactive – Having a balanced life doesn’t just naturally happen.  It’s something you have to work at on a regular basis.  Take ownership for your life and pick out a few of these tips you can implement starting today.  What changes are you going to make in your life to better manage your time?

I’m not saying that everything is going to be perfect when you try them. But what I’m trying to say is there will be a life more than excellent for you if you decide to keep to these 10 can-do-it tips now in your hands!