It’s all too easy to fail to manage your time effectively. Sometimes you feel like your life is living itself and you’re just an outside observer. But you can have more control over the outcome. Here are some common mistakes that could be holding you back:

1 – Fail to plan, plan to fail. You need to know, at least to some extent, where you are going and how you plan to get there. At least that way when something unexpected happens you know how to get back on track. It’s also easier to make progress if you have a list of steps that need to be taken to move forward.

2 – Setting unrealistic goals. Being ambitious can be healthy, but don’t promise more than you can deliver. This just causes more stress and bad publicity. You also end up having to work on the project for longer, stealing time from the next item on the agenda… See where this is heading?

3 – Not having enough confidence. Sometimes, believing in yourself is all that stands between you and your goals. When you are confident in your knowledge and your skills, the work flows and you get it done in less time, even when you’re tired.

4 – Not being prepared. This is partly related to point 3. If you are not properly prepared for the task, you will not feel confident and the whole thing will just end up costing you more time and effort. Do your homework before you get started. This is another way of avoiding biting off more than you can chew.

5 – Working in a messy environment. Just like in a workshop, if all the tools are in a pile in the corner, you’ll never get the job done. You’ll spend more time looking for the hammer than actually driving nails. A well-organized workspace is also easier to keep organized. Use the hammer and then put it back on the rack so you know where to find it next time.

6 – Not having balance in your life. If you are having a lot of trouble in other areas of your life, it will effect your work and the time it takes you to get things done. Try and look after all areas of your life, because the areas you ignore will come back to haunt you just when you really need to concentrate on your work.

7 – Not getting enough sleep/rest. You are not a machine. When you’re tired, you just can’t concentrate as hard on what you’re doing. Especially if it’s a regular habit. Try and get the rest you need to be in shape and ready to face the day’s challenges.

8 – Not looking after your health. If you’re sick, you can’t work. If you look after your health, get exercise, eat well and sleep enough, then you are less likely to get sick. A healthy worker is a productive worker. Think of that when you’ve been typing for 12 hours and you’re thinking about pushing on for two more.

9 – Not seeing the big picture. If you know your ultimate destination, you will be able to handle short-term commitments more effectively. You need to plan for tomorrow, but also for next week, for next month, next year… Where would you like your career to be in 5 years time and what steps must you take to get there?

10 – Not taking breaks. Your attention span is limited, you are no different from anyone else. So take regular breaks. Get up every so often to stretch your legs and your back, to look at the horizon, to feel the wind on your face. It will be reflected in your work.

Next time you feel you’re being dragged along by the current again, make sure you’re not letting things slip by running through this simple list. You will immediately know where to take action and you’ll soon be back on track.