Time Management Tips

“Time is the most valuable resource” and “time is money” are two of the famous sayings used to describe the importance of time management in the business environment. Yet, and despite the abundance of time management apps and tools, many workers still feel that they are running out of time. So, how can you manage time instead of letting it manage you? Here are some time management tips to help you manage your schedule effectively.

1. Set Monthly, Weekly and Daily Schedule

At the beginning of each month (or better: at the end of each passing month) write down all the tasks, goals, events, meetings and plans for the upcoming month, including everything that was delayed from the previous month. You can use a digital calendar, a notebook or even sticky notes – whatever works for you.

The next step, prioritize those tasks, organize them on a weekly level and try to give a reasonable time limit to each task. In your weekly plan, also consider personal commitments as well as routine tasks such as filing, checking emails, etc.

Open each day by reviewing your daily schedule and close it by checking completed tasks and rescheduling unfinished ones. That way, you can be sure that nothing is forgotten and left behind.

2. Mind your Productivity Curve

Different people may be productive at different times of the day. Some people reach their productivity peak in the early hours of the morning, while others wake up fully only after lunch. Know what your peak hours are and adjust your daily schedule accordingly. For example, if your peak hours are in the morning, set the most important tasks for these hours and delay the routine, technical tasks to the afternoon, and vice versa.

3. Don’t multi-task

For most people and most tasks, multi-tasking, i.e. trying to do more than one thing at the same time, leads to incomplete performance on each task. Therefore, it is usually recommended to focus on each task and each project at a time. However, if you’ve gathered a list of similar tasks (such as answering emails or preparing quotes for prospective clients), it will be wiser to complete them one after another.

4. Avoid Procrastination

Procrastination is the number one enemy of workers. Naturally, we tend to delay unpleasant tasks, such as dealing with bureaucratic organizations or firing flawed employees. However, these tasks do not become more pleasant as we delay them, but the other way around. Therefore, you should disconnect the emotional part from the task and simply get it over with.

5. Leave some “Me Time”

If you want to continue enjoying your work and to stay inspired and open for new ideas, don’t tie yourself to your office chair and computer. Leave some time off for recreational activities, even during the workday. Meet your colleagues for a long lunch, take a walk outside the office or take a break at the gym. You’ll find that these breaks help your productivity and creativity.