It has been said that the secret of your future is hidden in your daily routine. If you are feeling uncertain about your new expat life, time management can give you a much-needed sense of purpose.
The magic key
When you first arrive in a new country, you can easily be overwhelmed. It’s not just that you are unfamiliar with the place and perhaps don’t speak the language. You might also be filled with uncertainty about both your immediate and long-term future. “Time management is key when you are trying to build a new life and it’s especially beneficial, if you’re feeling overwhelmed. It helps you stay on track with your agenda. That gives you structure and a sense of control,” says coach Federica Viero.
Take it slowly
“It’s not about doing as much as you can as quickly as possible,” says Federica. “Don’t be too ambitious and overload your agenda with tasks. Also, a ‘to-do list’ can cause us stress when things don’t get done. Instead, I suggest using the Time Block Planner. Time blocking is a concept created by Cal Newport, a productivity expert and bestselling author. Basically, you fill out a time block grid with a preliminary plan that gives every minute a job/activity.”
The ‘5-minute rule’
When we’re trying to achieve our objectives, distractions can slow us down and disrupt our agendas. One tactic Federica employs to ‘manage distractions’ is the ‘5-Minute Rule’: “When you have an impulse to check Facebook or go see what’s in the fridge, you say: ‘Not now. In five minutes.’ It’s a simple tactic, which also gives us a sense of control.”
The power of downtime
According to Federica, it’s very important to be kind to ourselves. That’s why our schedules should also ‘make time’ for what relaxes and/or inspires us – i.e. creative hobbies, physical exercise, reading for pleasure, listening to podcasts/ music, etc. Even taking a short stroll around the neighbourhood can be a great way to break up your day, especially if you’re feeling frustrated or stressed. As the old Latin saying goes: ‘Solvitur ambulando’ (It is solved by walking).
Recommended reading
For anyone who wants to take a deep dive into time management, Federica recommends the following titles: Indistractable: How to Control Your Attention & Choose Your Life and Atomic Habits: An Easy & Proven Way to Build Good Habits & Break Bad Ones.
This article was originally published for the thousands of expat partners that Global Connection supports around the globe. It is reproduced here in its original form.
