An Arizona professional recently provided four steps in achieving successful time-management skills at the April Professional Women’s Alliance Luncheon.

To begin managing time, people should have a good understanding of their tasks and strategies to complete them, Tanya Wheeless, founder of wellness company Happy Grace, said.

Her first step is to “pay yourself first,” which allows for individuals to outline their goals and set aside ways to achieve them.

Wheeless also recommends eliminated distractions when total focus is needed, including turning off the phone and closing the door when necessary. 

Then, Wheeless said professionals have to understand that time and tasks are not all created equal. Professionals should identify which hours of the day are the most productive and schedule the most challenges tasks for that time. Easier work should be completed in the times when energy is lower.

The last strategy is to “make a good-enough-for-today” list. By doing this, professionals will take note of their priorities for the day.

In addition to providing time management strategies, Wheeless also spoke about why professionals often do not meet their goals and fail to have successful time management skills.

She said some tasks continue to get push back, which impedes success as a result of value alignment and fear.