5 Time Management Tips for the Office
It’s safe to say that you are spending most of your day in the office. 8-10 hours a day, 5 or 6 or maybe even 7 days a week… it adds up fast. Even though we are spending so much time at work, it often feels like there just aren’t enough hours in the day. Increasing productivity is key. Here are 5 time management tips from this Professional Organizer in NYC that will help you manage yourself and your tasks more efficiently.
Keep your desk clutter free. A clear desk not only cuts down on potential distractions, but it also provides a more productive space to work. You can easily spread out the documents and materials that you need for immediate reference. Clutter is not only distracting but can create a feeling of being overwhelmed as you don’t know which pile to tackle first and worry about important tasks buried in the piles.
Focus your attention. This is one of the top reasons people struggle with time management. When you are busy and have limited time to spend on a project, staying focused is imperative. Put your cell phone away, shut your door, close other browsers, and give all of your attention to your top priority for the day.
Group tasks. Instead of filing a document, responding to an email, making a phone call, and then repeating the cycle, group your tasks together by action. If you have several items that need to be filed, file them all at the same time. Block time in your schedule for phone calls and make them back to back. Schedule time for responding to emails periodically during the day. Bouncing between tasks can be inefficient. When your energy is focused on one type of task, you’ll be much more productive.
Delegate to your team. If you already have too much on your plate, ask for help. Maybe a few tasks can be shifted to a coworker or delegated to member of your team. By doing so, you’ll not only make your workload more manageable but will create opportunities for others to learn new skills and become more involved.
Create systems for your office. Having systems in place will save you time and frustration and ensure that you can find information and materials as needed. The systems should be relevant to your specific office needs and set up. For example, create a filing system and use it so papers always have a designated home and can be retrieved within seconds.
Applying these time management tips during your workday will help increase your productivity and allow you to get more done. When you need more hands on strategies, reach out to this Professional Organizer in NYC.