https://sandymillin.wordpress.com/SHINERomania While I can’t give you Hermione Grainger’s Time Turner so you can travel back in time, I can give you tried and tested ways of getting those things done which demand your time and attention, or which you just never quite get round to, helping you to manage yourself and others and make the most of your time. Use the ORGANISE acronym to help you learn how to better manage your time.

1. Taking back time: how to do everything you want to
Sandy Millin, SHINE Romania online conference, 5 January 2024
Slides available at: http://sandymillin.wordpress.com/SHINERomania
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sandymillin/
Outsource your memory
 Write down everything, as soon as you can.
 Use different places for different reasons, for example:
- A weekly planner for this week
- A diary for things further in the future
- A year planner for things which happen
annually
- An online calendar for others to access
or to sync with tools like Calendly
- Online task lists which you can add to
on the go
Reflect on what works
 For past me: starting with a blank slate at
the beginning of each week to increase my
motivation.
 For current me: using a colour-coded online
calendar so I can add recurring into the
future.
A weekly planner from Paperchase →
Gaps
 Leave spaces in your weekly plan to add things which arise during the week.
 On paper, use small boxes as they’re harder to overfill!
 Block time for routine things like marking, planning, invoicing, CPD…
Achievements
 Focus on what you’ve achieved, not what you haven’t. Be proud of yourself!
Not a big thing
 Break down tasks into the smallest possible chunks.
 Modify/Delegate them if possible to reduce your workload – caution!
I am important too
 Take time for yourself.
 Aim for regular working hours if possible, and make some times sacred.
Start small
 Don’t try to add/change everything at once.
 Add one thing, make it a habit, then add the next thing if you can.
Experiment
 Try different methods of time management to find what works for you.