Time Management 101

March 9, 2010

Successful people always have one thing in common: They are experts in time management. Time is valuable commodity, it is irreplaceable and it is very easy to waste it. Here are a few tips on Time Management:

Deadlines are your friends

Some people are afraid of the word “Deadline”. It sounds so final, so unwavering. It has the word “DEAD” in it! Think of a deadline as more of a goal. When you come to work, take a few minutes to think about what needs to get done that day and the order in which you need to do it. If a project does not have a specific deadline, ask your manager or just give yourself a deadline for getting it done. This will help you prioritize your tasks. If you are having difficulty prioritizing, enlist the help of a manager or co-worker. Also, if you can foresee a problem with a set deadline, don’t wait until the last minute to tell your manager. See if the deadline can be moved. If not, see if another project’s deadline can be extended so you can prioritize the project with the hard deadline.

Focus

In the internet age, it is all too tempting to put off your work for “just a second” while you check your Facebook page or your email. If you find yourself with the urge to do this, set a goal for yourself, such as “I am going to respond to all of the emails in my Inbox” and then reward yourself with a minute or so of checking Facebook. This satisfies the urge, but also allows you to complete a task. You could also use this tactic if you have the urge to get a cup of coffee or a snack. If you work in an office, chatty co-workers can also be a heavy distraction. If your office has a door, it can be as easy as just shutting your door until a task is complete. If you don’t have a door, or work in a cubicle, it can be a little tricky. Putting on headphones or a “Do Not Disturb” sign on your cube can get the message across.

Know Yourself

We have all heard people say, “I’m a morning person”, or “I am definitely NOT a morning person”. Which one are you? Some people focus better in the morning and tend to get more distracted in the afternoon, or vice versa. When planning your day, take this into account. If you are a morning person, do your more difficult tasks in the morning and save easier ones for the afternoon.