How do you manage time for your professional work?

[claraviolet]

Well, for me some reason, I am not able to type a lengthy subject. I want to know how you guys manage time for your professional work and for the other stuff here. I am a software developer and during the weekdays, I work more than 10-12 hours a day and I just can't find time for myself. However, during the weekends, I try to do stuff I love...like reading books, browsing forums, watching anime and such.

It's just that, if I find a really good book, then it's just hard for me to focus on my actual work. During those times, it's hard for me to manage my time. Anyone here knows what I am talking about here?

[Deleted]

I found a cure all for that time management issue. It's called retirement and for the past 10 years it's worked rather well. lol

[Absinthe]

I’ve gotten to the point where I kind of mentally leave the outside world outside when I enter work. If I’m on the clock, I keep myself busy so I’m not easily distracted. Though, as I work in HR and retail administration, I don’t have much time not to be busy anyway. I usually write lists of what I need to achieve for the day and it gives a nice little boost when I’m able to check something off.

Once I leave the building I try my best to leave work behind. Barring the occasional emergency call/message from an employee or coworker I’m usually able to do that.

[Sharon]

I've learned to use my calendar for work as opposed to a to-do list. I used to keep an on going to-do list but found myself getting burnt out because they started feeling never ending! Working from my calendar I can make sure I focus a certain time frame on a specific task and if I find that it's not doable then I push it out to later time in the day if something more pressing comes up. It helps to work from a calendar because my colleagues also have access to it so they know they can call me during certain time slots if it's not too pressing. All the same, I make it clear if anything time sensitive comes up they can call me any time.

I do have a strict rule not to look at my work computer after before 8:30am and after 5:30pm. It's too tempting to keep working and my personal life takes a hit whenever I let work take over. I try to use my calendar for personal tasks as well but those things tend to move around quite a bit so I mostly just keep up with play dates, dinners, lunches, etc.

[razor1911]

It's very important to have a balance between your personal and professional life. I am also doing full time job, the schedule is from morning 9 o'clock to evening 4 o'clock. I work 5 days in a week, and gets very less time for my personal activities.

I do all my pending task on weekends. Like browsing the internet, visiting forums, watching movies, hang out with friends and family. These all are a part of our social life which we should not miss. 😊

[ash]

Are you self-employed or a freelancer by chance? 10-12 hours per day is just too much and you're going to get burned out pretty quickly, to be honest. Even 7 hours is a bit much for me.