5 Time Management Strategies to Boost Office Productivity
How can you find more time in your work day? We all want to be able to complete all our tasks, but it often feels like there just is not enough time to get them all done. Deadlines are pushed, tasks are missed, and you feel rushed all the time. There must be a better way, right? The answer is… yes! You absolutely can manage your tasks and your day in a more efficient way that will allow you to spend your valuable time on important activities. Here are this NYC Professional Organizer’s time management tips to help you create better habits and increase your productivity at work.
Make sure you are using a calendar. Don’t keep important dates, times, and events stored in your head, or on scrap pieces of paper around your office. Get in the habit of putting everything into a calendar. You will always be prepared this way, and you won’t waste time trying to hustle and get ready for a meeting you almost forgot about. Digital or handwritten, it doesn’t matter which you choose, as long as you are recording everything regularly.
Have a to-do list. Instead of keeping tasks mixed in your emails or voicemails, use an actual to-do list, written or digital, so you can see what works needs to be done. After getting an email or phone call with a new task to complete, immediately add those tasks to your to-do list. If you wait, you may have to shift your priorities to address an overlooked task which could impact your team’s ability to deliver a big project on schedule.
Prioritize your day and your tasks. Nothing consumes your time more than staring blankly at a long to-do list, unsure where to even begin. Identify the one or two tasks that MUST be completed that day and focus on those. When you are finished, and if time allows, move on to the next most important one.
Manage your list. Maintaining a to-do list is a necessary step, however your productivity isn’t defined by the length of the list. Dividing the list by expected completion date makes it easier to manage the tasks and their respective deadlines. Collect those tasks that need to be done within the next 30-45 days on one list and keep a separate list of potential future projects/tasks that you review every 90 days.
Eliminate distractions. By simply shutting down extra browsers, putting your phone in a desk drawer, or closing your office door, you can shut out the outside world and focus on the project in front of you. If you are having a difficult time staying focused, then find ways to eliminate distractions and watch how quickly you can get tasks done.
These few simple time management tips can make all the difference in your productivity in the office. If you need more time management strategies, reach out to your NYC Professional Office Organizer.