When most people talk about Time Management, they give you tips and pointers on keeping focused prioritizing. But despite all the tips on time management, you still find yourself scrolling Facebook or binging Netflix instead of using your time wisely.

This is why Time Management really comes down to your goals. If your To-Do List does not align with your goals, you will end up doing anything you can, except what you 'should' be doing. You end up procrastinating and feeling like you are never going to get anywhere. Then you start looking at ways to better manage your time and some strategies may work for a while, but eventually you slip back into your old habits. This is because the problem all along was not your time management skills, but your goals.

Once you have defined defined goals, you will be more inclined to create a routine that helps you achieve these goals. Clarity around these goals will prevent procrastination and provide focus for your time.

Remember, goals should be SMART - Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Realistic and Timebound.

Once you have developed your goals, you can develop and action plan and immediately take action, usually spurred on by the motivation that setting goals brings. Your goals will act as 'guiding lights' to keep you using your time efficiently and effectively.

So how do goals help with Time Management?

Direction

Having clearly set goals provides a direction for you to be heading. You know where the bulk of your time should be focused so you can achieve your goals. You can prioritise based on the goals and manage your time better at work. It allows you to create routine and take action towards your goals each day.

Deadlines

This is where the time-bound factor of SMART goals comes in. You want to achieve your goals within a certain time frame. This is a great motivator. If you want to make sure you achieve your goals before the deadline, you will take a cation on them now or at least before the deadline. If there is no time limit on your goals, you will just keep putting it off until tomorrow and again filling your time with things that won't move the needle on your business.

Avoid the Binge

You will be less likely to try to 'fill' your time if you have clear goals. You know where you want to go, so you will use your time to get there. There will always be a task that can be worked on to help you reach that achievement, so there will be no need to turn to your phone or TV to fill in time. You will never be left to wonder what you should do next as it will all be clearly defined by your goals. If you do get distracted, you can simply take another look at your goals and motivate yourself to get back on track, without having to Google 'Time Management Tips' and distracting yourself further.

Work Smarter

When you are working towards goals, you become accountable to yourself. You will find that you are measuring your time, sometimes internally, and this may push you to find ways of performing your tasks in a smarter way. You may even find opportunities for automation. There's much technology out there that can help you manage your time and accomplish your goals. You may naturally find some new ways of doing things that will bring your goals closer.

So, if you are finding yourself getting distracted and filling your time with things that won't really get your business to realise your ultimate vision, try setting some goals and see if it helps you use your time more effectively.