Five Easy Tips for Time Management

Is your desk a whirlwind, a tsunami of paper?? Help is on the way. Because there never seems to be enough hours in the workday to get all you need to do, done.

Below are 5 easy steps that just might make your work day a little less hectic and a tad more organized.

It all starts by:

1. Planning

   It can be a dreaded task, but spending the first few minutes of your workday actually planning your work will benefit you in the long run. Make your desk unique to you. Organize in a way that seems logical to you. It’s your desk, organize your way. Some folks prefer file folder, in-bins or ticklers. Some people get a kick out of piles of paper. The trick is to have your OWN organization and plan your day accordingly. Set daily goals and post them where you can see them. Don’t overwhelm yourself with 10 things on a to-do list. Just post 3-4 tasks that you plan to accomplish daily in front of you as a reminder.

2. Prioritize

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   Prioritize your TIME, not your workload. If you know you are a morning person, schedule a block of time to do most of your tasks at that time, save routine busy work for the afternoon. Make sure to schedule in time for interruptions, because you know there will be some. Interruptions are inevitable. When you pencil in the unexpected, it’s easier to deal with. Besides, everyday we all experience the unexpected, it’s better to prepare for it. For items that may have a deadline, prioritize them accordingly on your task list. Use a marker, a highlighter, whatever works.

3. Reduce Emergencies

   We all know the feeling, what was unimportant yesterday is a crisis today. Take time each day to re-order you priority list so what was at the bottom doesn’t slowly creep to the top as an urgent task. Focus on being effective in completing your work. Then focus on doing it faster. Eliminate whatever is trivial from your workday. Stay on task. Focus, Focus, Focus.

4. Learn to Say No.

   Hard to say, but so very powerful. You have to be convinced that your time is important. This is one of the most difficult hurdles to overcome in regards to managing your time and is one of the hardest parts of saying no. Once you have mastered this, it is easy to stay on track. Don’t try to be perfect. Do your best.

5. Celebrate your Achievements

   When you have finished a long term project, reward yourself!! You deserve it. Maintain a proper life-work balance. Balance excellence with fun for all your success!