Work consumes the most of our daily time. The majority of us are spending more than 8 hours a day juggling up all the tasks that need action and let's face it - it's EXHAUSTING.
But what if we could avoid it and achieve more in less time?
Getting our Time Management Act Together
According to the Corporate Finance Institute, time management, is the process of planning and controlling how much time is spent on specific activities. With that said, managing and planning your time well will help you achieve more in less time.
Effective time management in the workplace is very important as this sets clear goals and expectations that lead to many benefits for both the employer and employee, such as good-work life balance, an increase in productivity, a positive work environment, high employee retention rate and quality work.
While on the other hand, having poor time management without clarity and goals to achieve may cause a toll in the workplace, poor quality of work, low employee morale and high rates of sick leave.
However, there are still several challenges that may impact effective time management like for example, employee’s lack of motivation, amount of workload, insufficient manpower, incomplete equipment, poor workplace set-up, and the list goes on.
Difference between Achieving More and Doing More
Wait, there's a difference? Well, yes.
Achieving more focuses on significant outcomes and results that matter. It involves strategic prioritisation and how to work smarter, not harder. This also helps to promote sustainable success and a balanced approach to life. Thus, compared to ‘doing more’ which focuses on completing a high number of activities or tasks. Doing more often involves working harder without strategic focus which can cause burnout and imbalance due to working so much.
It's a no brainer as to which way you would like to work, right?
Goal Setting, Planning, and Scheduling
Common misconceptions of time management are doing more in less time and that it is only about planning and scheduling. Well, doing more in less time can be a result of effective management, thus, we can’t deny the fact that this doesn’t mean that being able to do it fast means it’s a job well done, or being on track with your schedule and planning, means you won’t miss a single deadline. However, what’s efficient for one may not work well for everyone and what’s efficient for everyone may not work on one.
So, how are we going to manage our time to achieve more in less time?
1.Set clear goals
List down what specific goals you want to achieve and up until this should be done. Take note that the goals should be achievable. Compare your long-term and short-term goals. One should also focus on high-impact goals that align with your long-term objectives.
2. Prioritise tasks
It is crucial to break down our goals into tasks and manage these effectively alongside all of our daily task activity. How do you determine what needs to be done first when you do not have enough time in one day to do everything.
The Eisenhower Matrix is a task management tool that helps you distinguish between urgent and important tasks so you can establish an efficient workflow. Using the tool, you’ll divide your tasks into four boxes based on the tasks you’ll do first, the tasks you’ll schedule for later, the tasks you’ll delegate, and the tasks you’ll delete
3. Plan and Schedule
Incorporating your annual or monthly goals into your daily workplan helps you maintain a strong life/work integration. Establishing your goals determine the "what" of your work. Thinking strategically leads to a mission, which is a clearly defined statement of goals. Creating a daily plan is essential for achieving goals.
Break your goals down into workable chunks or tasks so that they can be completed in a manageable and timely manner. These tasks need to be scheduled so they get done.
4. Eliminate distractions...
What’s left is to do is to focus. Avoid unnecessary chat with co-workers or looking at your social media. Set up your area that would help you focus on the tasks that need to be done.
and Continuously improve
Track your progress and see how you think you can do better. Review if your strategies are still aligned with the present workload and goal. Update your plan and schedule if needed. Attend webinars or workshops for additional skills or learning.
After all this, efficiency and success of time management still depends on each person as we all have different ways to do things. It is more important than ever we work effectively and efficiently as a team establishing better ways to work. We at Priority Management are always ready to help you with our Working Smart Journey to establish that better way to work and help you save 54 minutes of your day. Contact us now to know more!
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About us > Priority Management is a worldwide training company with 55 offices in 15 countries. We have successfully trained more than two million graduates in Priority workshops. Our programs help companies and people be more effective and manage their workflow in and out of the office by providing tools, processes and discipline. Simply put - A Better Way To Work! Clients range from Fortune 500 companies, small-to-medium businesses and government/military employees. Click Here to view all our courses.
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