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Ever wonder where your week went? You started with clear goals—projects to finish, maybe even plans to finally update your resume. But now it’s Friday, and somehow, your to-do list has grown longer, not shorter. You’re likely falling into some common time management mistakes that could be stalling your career growth
You’ve heard the saying, “Time waits for no man.” But let’s get real—how often do we act like that’s true? Many of us in the African Diaspora are grinding hard for multiple jobs, raising families, or balancing life between continents.
But despite the hustle, some of us just can’t seem to move forward. Why? 
It all comes down to how we manage our time. If you’re always rushing at the last minute, missing deadlines, or feeling overwhelmed by your tasks, you’re probably making some major time management mistakes that are costing you more than just time.
1. You’re Saying “Yes” to Everything and Everyone
Here’s the harsh truth: saying “yes” to every single task, request, or project is a surefire way to burn out and achieve nothing. Sure, you want to help people, but when you’re stretched too thin, you end up doing everything halfway.
Whether it’s taking on extra work from colleagues, agreeing to unnecessary meetings, or helping someone with a project that isn’t your responsibility, saying “yes” to everything is one of the biggest time management mistakes you can make.
Learn to prioritize your workload and say “no” when necessary. Remember: your career growth depends on your ability to focus on what matters.
2. Procrastinating Like You’ve Got All the Time in the World
We’ve all said, “I’ll do it tomorrow,” but guess what? Tomorrow becomes today, and then you’re panicking. Whether it’s delaying important work until the deadline is looming or pushing off tasks you find boring, procrastination can sabotage your success.
One small delay can lead to a mountain of work piling up. To overcome this, try the “5-minute rule.” If a task takes less than five minutes, do it right away.
For larger projects, break them down into smaller tasks and tackle them daily. You’ll find that momentum builds as you chip away at the workload, instead of letting it snowball.
3. Multitasking Like You’re a Superhero (But You’re Not)
You might think juggling five things at once makes you productive, but science disagrees. Studies show that multitasking decreases efficiency and makes you more prone to errors.
One minute you’re checking emails while sitting on a Zoom call, and the next, you’re mentally switching between tasks so much that nothing is getting done well.
Instead, practice “time-blocking”—focus on one task at a time for a set period (say 30-45 minutes), then take a break before moving on to the next. Not only will you get more done, but the quality of your work will improve.
4. Not Prioritizing Tasks (aka Tackling the Easiest First)
Here’s a big mistake: you start your day by doing the easy, non-essential tasks first, thinking you’ll build momentum to tackle the tough stuff later.
What happens? The important tasks are still there at 5 PM, and now you’re scrambling. Prioritizing is key to making the most out of your time. Each morning, list your tasks and rank them in order of importance.
Tackle the highest priority ones when you’re most alert—this might be first thing in the morning for some or after lunch for others. Leave the trivial stuff (like organizing your inbox) for when your energy dips.
5. Overplanning but Never Actually Doing Anything
Look, planning is great—but only when you execute the plan. Spending hours writing lists, outlining goals, or color-coding your calendar won’t mean anything if you’re not ticking off completed tasks.
Planning can sometimes be a way to avoid doing the real work. So, while it’s important to have a clear roadmap for your week, make sure you’re dedicating more time to doing it rather than just preparing to do it.
6. Skipping Breaks Like You’re a Machine
If you think skipping lunch or breaks will help you power through your day, think again. Burnout is real, and working non-stop without giving your brain a rest only leads to decreased productivity.
Take short breaks every 60-90 minutes to reset. Even a quick 10-minute walk or stretching can recharge your brain and help you come back to your tasks with more energy. It might feel like a waste of time, but in the long run, regular breaks help you get more done.
7. Not Using a Calendar or Time-Blocking Tools
If you’re relying on memory alone to manage your tasks, you’re setting yourself up for failure. It’s impossible to remember every meeting, task, and deadline. That’s why calendars and time-blocking tools exist.
Use your phone’s calendar app or tools like Google Calendar or Trello to schedule your day. Time-blocking—assigning specific time slots for tasks—will help you stay focused and on track.
Trust me, when you start scheduling your day, you’ll find that your productivity skyrockets.
8. Perfectionism: Spending Too Much Time on the Little Things
Striving for perfection is admirable, but it’s also one of the most common time management mistakes. Spending hours polishing a report or tweaking a project can eat into time that should be spent on other tasks.
Instead of chasing perfection, aim for excellence. Know when a task is “good enough” to meet your goals, and then move on. This way, you’ll hit more deadlines and have time for other important responsibilities.
Basic and Practical Tips to Fix Your Time Management Mistakes
Want to fix your time management mistakes? Follow these practical tops:
- Create a Morning Routine. Start each day by writing down your top three tasks.
- Use the Pomodoro Technique. Work for 25 minutes, take a 5-minute break, then repeat.
- Batch Similar Tasks. Group similar tasks (like responding to emails or scheduling meetings) together to avoid jumping back and forth between different kinds of work.
- Set Boundaries. Learn to say “no” to tasks that don’t align with your goals, and set clear boundaries for when you’re available.
- Track Your Time. Use apps like Toggl or Clockify to track how much time you spend on different tasks.
Pro tip: At the end of each day, review what worked and what didn’t.
Conclusion: Stop Wasting Time and Take Control
Time waits for no one, and these time management mistakes could be the reason your career is stagnant. The good news?
You can turn things around by making small changes to how you approach your day. Stop wasting your week—take control of your time, and watch your productivity (and career) soar.
READ: The Future of Work for Black Professionals: Challenges, Opportunities, and the Path Forward
This article will explore the key trends shaping the future of work, the unique experiences and challenges faced by Black professionals, and strategies for navigating this evolving landscape.
