Do you ever get the feeling that there aren’t enough hours in the day?
You wake up first thing in the morning, motivated to cross some important items off your to-do list, and then you make the mistake of checking Facebook or Instagram. All you plan to do is take a little peek and see what’s going on, maybe spend five or ten minutes while you drink your coffee…
Next thing you know, half the day is gone and you haven’t gotten anything important accomplished. It’s a total disaster, and you’re not even sure how it happened.
Most of us have faced this scenario a few times, and some of us struggle with it almost every single day. It can be frustrating to accidentally waste your precious time, and it’s easy to get angry at yourself for lacking discipline, but the 21st century is full of distractions that are custom-engineered to draw your attention away from the things you really need to focus on.
Those of us who work at home are especially vulnerable to this because we don’t have managers peering over our shoulders every few minutes to make sure we get our work done.
If you have a set your own schedule job, it’s very easy to find some reason to put things off till the last minute. Before you know it, you’ve got huge deadlines looming, and you’re not sure how you’re going to get everything accomplished in time.
What you really need is some kind of system to make sure you stay on task; a way of approaching each day that keeps your priorities front and center.
There are dozens of popular methods out there that work well for different people, and for some of the more popular approaches, there are even custom-designed computer apps that help you integrate them into your life.
In this article we’re going to look at a few different websites and apps that can assist you in making the best use of your day.
Todoist
A lot of popular time management methods rely primarily on creating lists of tasks, sometimes categorized or prioritized, and then processing them in a systematic way.
One of the best and most popular electronic solutions out there for managing task lists is Todoist. It’s available as an app for all major platforms, or you can use it through the website.
Todoist’s free plan is robust, but they also offer a Pro version that includes extra features like a calendar view, AI task suggestions, and more project slots. You can set deadlines and reminders, flag tasks by priority, and keep large projects organized with custom lists.
There’s also a great natural language input feature that lets you set tasks like “every Monday” or “next Thursday at 3 PM” without needing to fiddle with menus.
Go here to sign up for Todoist
TimeStream
The Pomodoro Method is one of the most popular approaches to time management, and it works well partly because it’s so simple.
Just set a timer for 25 minutes, work on one task until the bell rings, and then take a five-minute break before continuing the task or starting a new one. After four rounds, you take a longer break. This rhythm keeps your brain refreshed while keeping you focused.
TimeStream is a minimal, distraction-free Pomodoro timer that also includes visual productivity graphs and tracking to help you analyze how your time is being used. It’s perfect for freelancers, students, or anyone who wants to stay laser-focused.
Go here to try TimeStream
Trello
The Kanban method of project management was developed by Toyota and has become extremely popular in the software design world. But it’s also incredibly helpful for managing personal tasks or home office work.
The low-tech version involves sticky notes and a bulletin board with columns like “To Do,” “Doing,” and “Done.” But if you want a digital version, Trello is one of the best options out there.
Trello lets you create custom project boards and cards for each task. You can move cards between columns, add deadlines, attachments, comments, and more. It also integrates with tools like Slack and Google Drive, and it recently added an AI “Planner” view and smart suggestions.
Trello is available for all devices and offers a solid free plan that will be enough for most users.
SkedPal
Time blocking is a time management strategy that involves scheduling your day in advance—assigning specific tasks to specific times. It doesn’t work for everyone, but for some people, this kind of structure is a total game-changer.
One of the best tools for this method is SkedPal. It combines smart scheduling with your task list and calendar. What makes SkedPal unique is its AI scheduler, which takes your tasks, priorities, deadlines, and preferred work hours and automatically suggests a time-blocked plan.
SkedPal is available on desktop and mobile, and all your data syncs across platforms. There’s a 14-day free trial, and the paid plan is $9.95/month if billed annually.
Go here to learn more about SkedPal
TimeCamp
Sometimes, the best way to manage your time is to track it.
By logging your hours and reviewing where your time actually goes, you can often spot patterns, time-wasters, or overcommitments you weren’t aware of. This can completely change the way you approach your schedule.
TimeCamp is one of the best time tracking apps available. It offers a free forever plan for solo users, which includes unlimited time tracking, projects, and manual time entries. It also includes reporting, optional screenshots, and team features if you ever upgrade.
You can use TimeCamp via its web app or mobile apps, and everything syncs seamlessly.
Do You Need More Time Management Help and Tips?
A while back, I read Time Management in 20 Minutes a Day by fellow work at home blogger Holly Hanna. I highly recommend it if you’re really struggling to get enough done or wondering where the time went by the end of each day.
After implementing some of the advice I got from this book (which goes well beyond the basic tips I’ve listed above), I’ve found that my to-do list is almost always checked off.
And not only that, but there’s somehow time in the evenings for me to relax and have “me” time or do things with my family without feeling guilty about it because I didn’t get “fill in the blank” task done.
So if you’re looking to seriously get a handle on your days, get the book! It’s a quick, no-fluff read that gets right down to business so you can start taking immediate action to gain back control over your time.
Anna Thurman is a work at home blogger and mom of two. She has been researching and reviewing remote jobs for over 14 years. Her findings are published weekly here at Real Ways to Earn.