The LeadershipBLOG: Design your day: 17 Ways to take charge of your time

If we manage our finances, our emotions and manage other people, their time and sometimes even their money, then isn't it time we manage our personal lives? Here is 17 things you can do today to increase your productivity and ensure that you manage your greatest asset - you:

Keep a time journal: For at least two weeks, keep track of how much time you are spending on what
Plan your mornings: It is our most productive time of day, if you don't plan on what will be important, everything will seem important.
10 Things: Think of 10 things that you are grateful for, starting your day with a better lens will wire your brain to look for opportunities instead of obstacles.
Most Important Task (MIT): Decide on what your MIT for the day is, and do that first.
Make in the morning, manage in the afternoon: We have less focus, willpower and creativity in the afternoon - arrange your meetings and read e-mails after lunch.
Make the hour before bedtime count: Avoid electronics, social media, television and caffeine the hour before bed - it all keeps your from going into the deep sleep you need.
3 Things that is good in life and their causes: Answer this the end of each day.
Write gratitude messages: Saying thank you or giving recognition increases your happiness too.
Limit social media: Just take 30min before you leave work to do all your "insecurity work" by checking Facebook, e-mails, Twitter and Instagram. We waste too much time trying to find recognition on social platforms or waiting for that e-mail arrive.
Create a list of new things you want to do every month.
Set auto-replies for email, for example "I will check e-mail between 12:00-14:00 and 16:00-17:00.
Write down a template for how your ideal day looks like.
Spend 15min for planning today and prioritising tomorrow, a hour this week to plan next week and half a day this month to plan next month.
Practice your hobby once a week.
Set a voice reminder for every hour - then analyse each time if you were productive. Reminding ourselves of the time makes us keep track of our productivity.
Meditate for 3-5 minutes a day, focus on breathing and being in the moment.
Decide on one word that describes your theme for the year. For example "focus", "family", "growth" or "risk". It will help you make decisions that is line with your goal at the present moment.