Effective Time Management
Have you ever thought to yourself that there aren’t enough hours in the day, or felt overwhelmed at the tasks facing you? If you have, this article can help you!
1. Clarify your goals and strategy
Be very clear about your aims and ambitions, both short and long-term. Write them down. Once you know what you really want to achieve (and why), it’s easier to make decisions about what needs doing, and to plan accordingly.
2. Focus on your top priorities
You’ll be more productive and profitable if you identify and focus on the areas most important to your business. Work on the fundamentals first. The Latin word ‘fundamentum’ means foundation – so take action, build strong foundations and the rest should follow.
3. Schedule time
Literally, write an appointment in your work planner (you do have one of those, don’t you?) to set aside a realistic block of time for your priority actions. This reduces anxiety over not having enough time and keeps you focused.
4. Say no!
Always check your schedule before committing to anything new. Don’t allow others to divert you from your objectives.
You can always say ‘No’, especially if needed…
5. Create supportive systems
This includes systems for filing, management information and communication.
6. Take a reality check
Will your current activity have a positive outcome, or are you doing it to avoid something else?
7. Delegate
It’s tempting to do something yourself when you think you can do it faster and better. But consider the long-term – delegation now will save time in the future, and if done appropriately, can motivate your staff, boost their confidence and help them develop their skills.
8. Repeat your success
Remember the last time you went away on holiday and how you got so much done in those few days before you left? What strategies and techniques did you employ that made you so effective and focused? Can you repeat them? Alternatively, imagine you are going away tomorrow and work through today accordingly.
9. Balance your life
Formally schedule personal activities too, so you make time for family, friends, your health and fun because having a balanced life reduces stress and increases energy levels. Time management is really about life management!
10. End the day
At the end of the working day, tidy your desk, make notes about what needs doing tomorrow and prioritise those tasks. You’ll worry less that evening and be prepared and focused the next morning.
