Understanding time management
Having good time management skills means that you have the ability to stay productive and efficient. In order to manage your time, there are a variety of tools and strategies you can use. By discussing these with an employer during an interview, you can show that you are a diligent and reliable employee. Here we share a time management definition, related skills, and time management tips.
Original article here
Follow these tips to improve your time management skills:
- Create SMART goals: SMART stands for specific, measurable, attainable, relevant, and time-bound. By making sure all of your goals meet these five categories, you’re more likely to reach more of them. The time-bound component is especially helpful when trying to be better with time management.
- Assume everything will take longer: Rather than trying to cram in projects and meetings every second of your day, give yourself enough wiggle room for overlap. Scheduling back to back meetings can be risky since you never know if a meeting will go over time. By giving yourself plenty of time, you’ll be able to get everything you intended done.
- Update your calendar regularly: At the start of each workday, look over your calendar to see what you accomplished and what you still need to do. Remember, your calendar can be a fluid tool that’s subject to change. If you find that it makes more sense to do a different task now, it’s okay to change things around. Someone who is good at managing time can also be flexible.
- Find stress management methods: Don’t let stress get in the way of being your most productive self. By finding ways to manage your stress, you can feel more motivated and focused at work. A few stress management techniques include getting enough sleep, exercising, meditation, spending time with those you love, and making time for hobbies you enjoy.
- Give yourself a break: You may think grinding all day will help you get more done, but oftentimes this can lead to burnout. Set aside some time between tasks to give yourself a 10- to 15-minute break. If you’re able, go outside and get some fresh air. You could also use this as a chance to chat with a coworker. Rather than catching up on work during your lunch breaks, take a good half an hour to eat a flavorful, healthy lunch.
- Learn to say ‘no’: If you’re a people pleaser, you may find yourself saying ‘yes’ a lot. Although this can show you’re a team player, it’s also an easy way to overload your schedule. When you’re already feeling overbooked, it’s perfectly acceptable to say, ‘Now isn’t the best time for me. Could I help you out later?’
- Turn off your notifications: Put your smartphone in your drawer and turn off all of your email notifications. Every time you see a little red dot pop up, this may take your attention away from the task at hand and make it challenging to get back into the zone. Save checking your apps and messages for break time.
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