5. Prioritising Tasks and Managing Time
Time management is less about controlling time and more about deciding what to do and when to do it. To make sound decisions, you first need to understand which tasks are truly important.
Is it urgent or is it important?
Not every task carries the same weight. Tasks can be categorised as follows:
Both urgent and important: to be done immediately
Important but not urgent today: to be planned and scheduled for a specific date
Feels urgent but does not require priority: to be dealt with quickly or delegated to someone else
This is particularly important for people with disabilities. Additional responsibilities such as medical appointments, managing medication and transport significantly reduce the amount of energy and time available each day. Setting the right priorities ensures that the remaining resources are directed where they are most needed.
Setting Realistic Goals
Long and vague to-do lists directly trigger procrastination. Setting realistic goals means consciously selecting a few tasks that can actually be completed, taking into account the energy and time available.
| 📌 A handy rule of thumb: Setting three or four clear goals a day significantly reduces the pressure caused by a long to-do list. |
Short-term planning covers the day and the week. Long-term planning, on the other hand, focuses on broader goals. For individuals whose health fluctuates, long-term planning also makes it possible to factor in periods when they may experience low energy levels.
Breaking it down into steps and establishing a routine
When viewed as a whole, a major task tends to invite procrastination. When the same task is broken down into small, concrete steps, it becomes easier to get started - the first step is now a manageable size.
Routines serve a similar purpose. Performing certain actions at the same time every day significantly reduces the energy spent on decision-making regarding those actions over time. A small but consistent habit can act as an anchor for the rest of the day.
Deadlines and Overwhelm
Postponing is often equated with laziness. However, the real reason is that the task feels too big, unclear or overwhelming. This sense of overwhelm usually stems from the to-do list being much longer than what can actually be achieved. Breaking tasks down into steps directly resolves both of these issues.
Remote and Hybrid Working
Remote working offers a particularly valuable degree of flexibility for people with disabilities. Managing medication, attending medical appointments and taking care of personal needs becomes much easier compared to traditional office environments. The home environment provides control over sensory factors such as noise levels and lighting.
To take advantage of this flexibility, it is necessary to establish an individual structure:
Start the working day at a consistent time
Plan your breaks carefully
End the day with a specific action
These small habits can replace the structure naturally provided by the office environment.
Practical Tools
There are many tools available to support the habits described above. In the simplest terms:
| Tool | Why is it useful? |
|---|---|
| Planner and agenda | Allows you to view your tasks in one place |
| Calendar | Makes time more visual |
| Checklist | Reduces the burden of remembering things and makes progress tangible |
| Reminder | Steps in when attention or memory is lacking |
| Digital Productivity Tools | Combines voice input and accessibility features |