Time Management-How Much More Could You Achieve In A Day With Just One Extra Hour of Time?
Time Management Strategies
Many of us feel like we are run off our feet but still can’t keep up with everything that needs to be done because of poor time management. How many times have you felt like there just aren’t enough hours in the day? If you are feeling overworked and overloaded it makes sense to take a look at just how your time is spent. The best way to do this is to keep a time management journal.
When you start recording the length of time you spend doing unimportant tasks and routines you may find that you have an extra hour in your day that could be spent more productively. Making better use of your time can go a long way towards reducing your stress and increasing your productivity.
By keeping a log of your time you will also learn to recognize when you are functioning at your peak performance. We all have times of the day when our energy levels are at their highest, our mind is focused and we can dig in and get an amazing volume of work accomplished in a short amount of time. Learning to plan your work around your peak times and scheduling your breaks in your down times will make better use of your time.
For the next week, record the time whenever you move from one activity to another.
Jot down not only work time but also time spent chatting with colleagues, making coffee, having lunch, checking email, talking on the phone and breaks.
At the same time, make note of your mood. Are you feeling energetic or lethargic; creative or mentally drained; tired or alert?
A good idea is to also include your eating habits in the log. Your energy bursts or lack of energy may be directly related to the last time you ate and what you consumed.
After a week it is time to analyze the results. You may be surprised to see just how much time is spent on non-work related or low value jobs. Now start crossing off tasks that should be delegating to a lower paid employee.
1. Eliminate non-productive activities such as personal emails, personal phone calls, reserve lunch hour and break-times for socializing with coworkers.
2. Schedule the tasks that require the most focus and presents the most challenge during the times when you have the most energy and alertness.
3.Complete your tasks in blocks of time. Reduce the amount of times you switch tasks. Check and answer emails only twice per day; once in the morning and once in the afternoon instead of checking every time you switch tasks.
By analyzing your time you should be able to find blocks of time that your are currently wasting. Often just having to write down the time makes you more aware and accountable and you may find that while you are keeping the journal you are being more productive. If that is the case then you should continue keeping an activity log.