Time Management Best Practices

March 10, 2017 9:09 am

Most of us feel like we could benefit from a few extra hours in every day. There just doesn’t seem like there is enough time to get it all done. This is especially true for business leaders who try to juggle it all. There are, however, solutions to using time more efficiently that will make getting it all done possible. Managing time well is a hallmark of most exceptional professionals. Here are a few tips for making the most of your time.

  • Take Stock – One of the first steps to managing your time wisely is to know how you actually spend you time. Start your quest for better time management by taking stock of your time right now. Keep a log of your day for several days in a row.  This will give you a good idea of what times you are most productive and when you are least productive. This log will give you a good insight as to how long it takes for certain tasks to be done and give you a chance to evaluate whether it can be done more efficiently.
  • Evaluate – Either as a team or with your business leaders evaluate your findings. Are there certain tasks that can be handed off? Do certain tasks need to be reprioritized? How are you going to keep your employees involved in time management and prioritizing tasks? A group discussion will help create a “To-Do” list of sorts that can get everyone on the same page in regard to whet should be done and when.
  • Use A Planning Tool – Many companies use certain apps or software to keep all employees up-to-date on the completion of projects. Online tools can help keep everyone informed about the progress of a project or whether certain jobs have been completed.
  • Get Organized – Now that you have had a chance to look at the inner workings of your business, certain jobs may make more sense to be done by some employees. Reorganized projects by skill and ability rather than by availability. Getting organized may also mean assigning time consuming jobs to outside groups. For example, if your office requires cleaning weekly or constant upkeep of machinery, you may want to consider contracting out for tasks that take you away from your ultimate business goals.
  • Delegate – It is easy to get tied down to doing certain tasks that have become known as your “thing” but you may want to start delegating tasks that others could easily handle.
  • Learn to Say No – As business leaders, we are pulled in so many different directions. It is really okay to say no to engagements and tasks that take you away from your business. Or better yet, assign the event to someone younger in the company who would love to gain experience!
  • Be Healthy – In other words get enough sleep, eat healthy and take care of yourself. The worst thing that can happen to over-taxed workers and leaders is that they get sick and fall into  the trap of “trying to catch up.”

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