Time Management Strategies for a Successful Year
One item on everyone’s 2019 goal list is to have more time for family, for the fun stuff, for all of the projects piling on their desk at work. Time management is a struggle for many people, but by following these strategies from NYC Professional Office Organizer, you’ll be able to master the art of time management this year.
Create a daily plan. The best way to manage all that needs to be done during your work day is to have all the information in one place. You can use whatever method of organizing that you prefer – a paper planner, a digital calendar, a notebook, or an app on your phone or tablet. Figure out which one method works best for you and stick with it. Include all meetings, appointments, and tasks that need to be completed each day. Review your plan for the following day the night before so that you can quickly get your day started.
Be early. Plan on arriving 15 minutes early for appointments. With this extra time, you won’t be rushed and can do one last quick mental review of your objectives while doing an extra lap around the block. When you rush, important details are lost or forgotten, and you’ll end up wasting time later trying to piece it all together. With a little extra buffer time, you’ll be able to be more efficient and productive, saving time in the long run.
Unplug. This is the most challenging for everyone! How often have you spent time scrolling through social media when you could have been focused on the tasks on your to-do list? What starts as a few minutes of down time to read an online article can quickly turn into 30 minutes or more of wasted time surfing the web. If social media is a necessary part of your business, then schedule time for it during your workday. When the allotted time is done, shut down and move on to your next task.
Make sure you are saying “NO.” It’s so hard to do but saying “NO” is a valuable time management skill to master! If you are asked to do a task or participate in a meeting or panel, and it’s NOT contributing to your goals, then NO may have to be your response. Don’t stretch yourself thin and then start missing deadlines for the work that is moving you towards your goals.
Implementing these time management strategies will ensure a productive year at the office. For more hands-on time management strategies, reach out to this NYC Professional Office Organizer.