Where does the time go? Sometimes it feels like there aren't enough hours in the day to get tasks over the line. But it doesn't have to be like this. With a few small changes, you'll have all your colleagues wondering how you can balance your workload so well. Take a look at a few techniques to improve your time management.
You may be surprised that a To-Do list, as such, isn't listed amongst these tips, but it's for a good reason. Following a To-Do list is working aimlessly. Checking off your most important task is a better sign of a productive day than checking off several less important ones.
Taking time out to plan your day will help to ensure your tasks are completed in an orderly fashion. You might surprise yourself when you see how much you can accomplish within a limited period of time, which is often measured with a task timer online these days.
How many times have you found yourself looking for a piece of paper that doesn't want to be found, or the file that seems to have disappeared into thin air? On a good day, finding those hidden gems can take 5-10 minutes at a time. Organising your workspace will prevent this wasted time and ensure your work cycle isn't broken.
Multitasking - although often praised - doesn't live up to the hype. If you are not capable of doing that, just leave it for more pragmatic people. Completing a task quickly and efficiently requires focus, but toggling between tasks requires your brain to restart and refocus every time. Not only does this slow you down, but it also encourages mistakes.
You probably can do everything yourself, but why would you? Working as part of a team utilises everyone's strengths and time to the best advantage. If you can pass work over, then do it and free your time to work on something more time-sensitive.
Getting hung up on small details is a sure-fire way to double the amount of time it takes to complete a project. Perfectionism has no place in the world of time management. It's better to assign a time limit and once you've completed the task, schedule 10-20 minutes to work on details.
Do you ever wonder why you're bad at time management? The answer is, there are too many distractions stealing your attention away from finishing tasks. That includes your phone, social media, group chats, phone calls, notifications that are not work-related or even from working colleagues. Put away the phone and concentrate on your responsibilities. It will make a huge difference to your productivity.
Think of the number of tasks you could complete if you were better at managing your time. Maybe you could have extra ten minutes to grab a coffee before work or spend a little extra time with your loved ones. Will these reasons make you start reviewing your time management skills?
If you're still unsure how to better develop your time management skills, we'd recommend one of our self-improvement courses. Learn to take control of your day by managing your time efficiently. After this course, you'll be able to prioritise your day and reach your goals.

by Cristina Moraru | 27 Sep 23