“Time management” is a myth. Time ticks by, whether you achieve what you want to or not in the run of a day or week. “Time waits for no man” as the saying goes. The only thing that you can manage, time-wise, is YOU.

I am a working woman (Director – HR in a software development company) and I know how difficult it is to juggle home and work! Time management is one of those skills no one teaches you in school but you have to learn. It doesn't matter how smart you are if you can't organize information well enough to take it in. And it doesn't matter how skilled you are if procrastination keeps you from getting your work done. The following tips will help you on the road to a less hectic schedule.
So here are 10 tips (which I follow) to make you better at managing your work & home:

1. Get Organized!
It’s hard to manage your schedule if you spend a great deal of time hunting for keys, team notices and school papers. Once you are organized, with a workable system in place, you will find that managing your schedule will become much easier. Right things at right place !
2. Organize your to-do list every day (for both work & home).

If you don't know what you should be doing, how can you manage your time to do it? Some people like writing this list out by hand because it shows commitment to each item if you are willing to rewrite it each day until it gets done. Other people like software that can slice and dice their to-do list into manageable, relevant chunks. I just write on a note pad and then add it in my mobile REMINDER!

3. Music!

Music therapy has shown numerous health benefits for people with conditions ranging from mild (like stress) to severe (like cancer). When dealing with stress, the right music can actually lower your blood pressure, relax your body and calm your mind. I hear my favorite songs during bathing, travel, at office ( I activated world space satellite radio).

4. Watch Television together!
Reduce watching Television. It consumes most of your time which can be spent with your children or partner. I watch TV along with my entire family during dinner. Its like a get together!

5. Spend valuable time with your children
Even if it is comparatively less time that a working mother spends with her kid, it can be made valuable! That’s what my doctor advised when I was worried about my kid. I spend my after work hours exclusively for my daughter. (NO to everything else! )

6. Bill payment
Prepare the payments ready the moment you receive an intimation. I prepare my credit card payment cheque immediately to avoid increasing my reminders till last date. (And also to avoid last day tensions) I learnt it from my successful dad!

7. Use Unique Storage Ideas
Most people do not like to admit that they read in the bathroom. However, most of us do. So store any magazines that you want to read in the bathroom. I also print off newsletters that I want to read and store them there. I am always guaranteed two things – time to read and a few minutes of peace and quiet away from my overly energetic toddlers.
By using my time to multitask, I can read the articles that interest me without taking up work time or family time.

8.Admit multitasking is not bad.
Sounds like an odd suggestion for managing yourself, time-wise, but it’s really a great For people who didn't grow up watching TV, typing out instant messages and doing homework all at the same time, multitasking is deadly. But it helps in today’s hectic schedule work and simultaneously listen to music, type emails and talk to your kid/ partner
9.Delegate
Hubby and I equally share our household chores. This means that we cook, clean up or do laundry and housework depending on who is available. This also means that neither of us is solely responsible for all the household duties, which is a great stress reliever in itself.
10.Pack up for the next day
By end of the day before going to bed pack up for the next day. I used to cut vegetables , grounding etc for next day cooking, arrange my kids schools items like water bottle, polish her shoes, bag etc, my dress, official documents and also dress of my choice for my hubby which saves my morning busy time.

I enjoy working at office and at home !. I want each one of the working women to be happy and enjoy life.