Everyone could use a little advice on time management. Who doesn’t get led astray by a pretty picture or breaking news during the day? All those little distractions can lead to a big chunk of time when you’ve got deadlines to reach.

If you struggle with allotting the right amount of time for your projects, it’s probably because you have too many distractions. Here are some tips to help keep you on course. 

1. To-Do Lists

To-do lists are your friend. Some people might fare better keeping their lists on paper, but there are apps that can also help you create lists that also have due dates. If you need to be reminded when your due date is nearing, an app might be your best bet. 

2. Keep Schedule

You have a tight schedule, but a friend you haven’t seen in several months is in town and wants to have lunch. You had planned to dine in so you could keep it short. Do you scrap work and have lunch with a friend, or do you keep your nose to the grind?

People who manage their time wisely would keep their schedule and ask their friends to instead join them for dinner. If the friend can’t do that, then maybe you’ll see them next time around. 

3. Prioritize

If you can prioritize, you can make your work life easier. There are some things that are more pressing than others. Meeting a potential client seems pretty pressing, but is it more pressing than meeting your 1 o’clock deadline? That’s for you to decide. 

Know what can be put away until later and what must have your attention now. Keeping your current clients happy is probably more important than meeting the whims of a potential client. 

4. Set Milestones

Set milestones or goals. These are tasks that can be completed by a specific date or time. When you meet them, reward yourself. Rewards make you feel good about completing tasks, and isn’t that the main reason people procrastinate? If staying on task offers little to no reward, then why do it?

Only you can know what rewards make your dopamine levels rise. Whether it’s chocolate or an exotic lunch with friends, having something to look forward to at the end of the day makes it go by a little easier. 

Many people struggle with time management. If you follow these tips and find you still struggle, you might want to talk to a professional regarding your issues. There are many things that could be going on in your life that have become a hindrance to your progress.