The first step to mastering time management is recognizing that time is valuable. Successful people are aware of time's passage, using self-discipline to make the most of every minute. Each of us only has 1,440 minutes a day. A single minute can be used to make a decision, move your body, or even take a small step toward a bigger goal.

Being productive requires the skill of choosing priorities. One of the best time management strategies is identifying your Most Important Task (MIT). For instance, a freelance writer has multiple writing projects with varying deadlines. By identifying their most important task, they can focus on completing it first, resulting in increased productivity.

But surely your day will require focusing on other tasks as well. Many people use to-do lists to track what needs to be done. However, according to research, about 41% of the tasks on our to-do lists never get completed. One of the reasons is that we don't estimate how long it will take us to finish each task. This means that we often end up leaving more challenging or less important tasks undone.

So, instead of relying on a to-do list, try using your calendar to manage your day and reduce stress. If you want to improve your productivity, try time blocking, also known as time boxing. This involves creating a detailed calendar that includes all your tasks and activities. Treat these blocks as sacred appointments — just like you wouldn't cancel your doctor's visit, don't let minor tasks steal your dedicated time.

Sometimes, you may have tasks scheduled on your calendar that you can't complete. In such situations, reschedule them. Imagine you have a busy workday with several important meetings throughout the day. You've set aside some time to respond to emails between the meetings, but one is drawn out. This means you're unable to complete all the emails you had planned to get through.

However, instead of leaving those emails unanswered, you reschedule your email time for later in the day when you have a break between meetings. By doing this, you can adjust your schedule and ensure that essential tasks are not overlooked. By being flexible and willing to reschedule, you're able to stay on top of your workload and remain productive.