Effective Time Management Advice for Employees Who Are Blind or Visually Impaired

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As I sift through piles of work and school assignments, I find it ironic that I am writing a post about managing time. Often there are times when we are overwhelmed with unexpected work and begin to fall of track. Life can get hectic for everyone, but it is important to remember that embracing time management tactics will help us be more successful not only at work but in our day-to-day lives. By better managing your time, you are less stressed, better organized, and have more time for the more enjoyable moments of life.

Being organized is beneficial to everyone. If you are unemployed and looking for a job, being unorganized can hinder your process, and if you are currently employed or in school, organizational skills are key to successfully maintaining your job.

Occasionally we need reminders on how to stay organized so that our workloads don’t overrun us. Keep these time management tips handy when your work days get heavy or if you’re just looking to better organize your time.

  • Get a planner with a calendar. If you don’t have a planner with a calendar, now is the time to get one. A planner helps keep track of appointments, work engagements, and social responsibilities so that nothing is unattended or forgotten. I recommend a planner that shows each month at a glance but is better detailed for each week so that you can focus on each week at a time. If you are blind or visually impaired and looking for an accessible electronic calendar or planner, check this list to find one that best fits you. Sticky notes, both paper and electronic, are also helpful when you need that extra reminder to get to the dentist at 8:00 a.m.!
  • Set alarms. If you have daily requirements that seem to slip your mind, like taking medicine or dance practice for the kids, just make a reminder on your smartphone to help remind you. Putting important dates into your smartphone as an event is also a handy way to assure your attendance.
  • Plan ahead for events. If you know you have planned commitments next month away from work, start budgeting your time for the current month to finish your most important assignments. When you plan ahead for events you know of and plan around them, you are better prepared and avoid being overwhelmed. Planning ahead helps avoid having to catch up.
  • Arrive early. One way to slip into an unorganized stress catastrophe is to make yourself late. If you are late for one thing, often times it can throw off your entire day. Leave yourself 15 minutes before each appointment so that you can make it on time and stress free.
  • Stop procrastinating. I can’t be a hypocrite and say I don’t push my assignments off until the last minute, but I can say that it has absolutely no benefit doing so. Make sure you tackle large and important tasks first so that you aren’t pushing them until the last minute. This helps avoid stress and also leaves easier tasks to do later in the week so that your weekends are more carefree.

These are just a few ways to manage your time so that you are more successful in the workplace. If you are blind or visually impaired and currently looking for a job, check out these helpful tips on time management.

Don’t let your work overwhelm you. Plan ahead and organize your work so that your time is better managed and you are a happier you. Remember to run your life, don’t let it run you.