Time management tips from leading athletes

There is something you can learn from amateur athletes without even having to leave the comfort of your chair.

Dedicated sportspeople not only excel in their chosen sport, but they are also usually experts at time management.

In most cases, amateur athletes also hold down full or part-time jobs, particularly during the off-season. This is because the majority of athletes are not the well-paid sports stars you come across in football or golf, for example.

Juggling jobs, families and training can be a hard task for these individuals. Time management is therefore a vital tool – one which many athletes excel at.

If you’re wondering how they do it, here are three key tips from three leading coaches, as published by Triathlete Europe this month.

Perfect your routine

Former pro triathlete and renowned coach Gordo Byrn explains that following a routine is vital for managing time effectively.

In particular, he suggests arrange the schedule so the most important workout is always done first thing. This will ensure that even if your day gets away on you, the crucial tasks have been completed.

Don’t get sloppy

Even when you’re stretched for time, coach Cliff English urges you to stay on top of the details. A poorly executed training session is likely to do more harm than good, just as rushed job on your projects could lead to disaster down the line.

Taking the time to ensure tasks are completed properly will ensure you only have to do them once – leaving more time later for other, more important things.

Be realistic

Even when your plate is full, it can be tempting to keep taking on new tasks. Whether you’re trying to impress a supervisor or simply believe you are capable, you need to be realistic about your capabilities.

There are only so many hours in the day, so you should fill the time with the ideal number of tasks you can complete to the very best of your ability.