Six Ideas for Better Time Management at Work
Tips for Working Women and Men on How to Manage Time
Sep 22, 2009
With ambitious professional lives, work from home options, family commitments and the social media temptations time always seems to be running out. But time management can help solve the problem. Whether it is the gadgets that work or the old-fashioned notebook, the key is to find that perfect trick that works for the individual!
The following tips can lead to better time management:
Make a Mental Note of Things to Do
Before going to bed or while driving up to work, whichever works better, make a mental note of things to do. The mental note will help bring clarity to the mind and the individual will not feel lost in a long list of demanding tasks.
Prioritize Time and Tasks
An individual should be clear about the outcome she or he wants. Long-term vision is important for success. Once the outcome is clear in the mind, prioritizing work becomes easier. Tasks can also be prioritized based on their deadlines. Jot down on a piece of paper things to do and prioritize them. Now start working on one task at a time – attempting to finish the highest priority task first. At the end of the day whichever task is left undone can be made top priority on the list of things-to-do for the next day.
Allot Time for Each Task and Make a Timetable
In case the above tip does not work, it is also a good suggestion to allot time for each task. Alternate between tasks, keep 1 to 2 hours for each task, and 5 to 10 minute break between these. This helps focusing better on each task and keeping interest alive instead of treating each task as a boring chore.
Love and Use Those Gadgets to the Fullest
Use those gadgets like cell phones and ipods and learn to love them. If every application or tool available in the gadgets is not being brought to use, the fact is that these gadgets are not being made enough or even the right use of. There are multiple alarms options, calendars with reminders and things-to-do checklists on these gadgets. They help to stay on top of tasks even when an individual is forgetful!
Do Not Let Others Take Over Your Life
Many people complain that social media has taken over their lives. Their reaction is to isolate themselves from its benefits. That probably is not a good idea. This is the technological age and benefiting from its tools is the wise angle to take in life. Instead of isolating from social media, a better option is to keep reminding one's self that nothing else, whether hobbies or social media, can be masters of an individual's life.
Tools for Better Time Management
Following are tools that were made for better time management and so should be used:
- A weekly planner – Use red or capital letters for appointments, meetings, and deadlines. Exclamation marks for highest priority tasks, and smiley faces for work-mate dates. The weekly planner is a personal diary and if being creative on it works best for an individual then there should be nothing to stop it.
- Microsoft office – This software is used in most offices and has perfect calendar, tasks and reminders options. Microsoft office allows individuals to even help colleagues by appointing tasks and reminders for them from an individual's own system.
- Old-school jotters – These are helpful and each sheet in the jotter can be thrown away and forgotten about after its tasks are complete.
- Post-it notes – Important notes can be stuck on the computer screen or mirror or any location most seen. This is always sure to help!
Better productivity is directly linked with better time-management. The key to managing time well is to be clear in the mind about the outcome an individual is trying to achieve and then prioritize work accordingly. Gadgets and professional softwares like Microsoft Office can be used to help schedule reminders for tasks. Finally, it is up to an individual to decide which tool or method works best. However, once that method has been discovered, it can be turned into a habit.
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