5 Time Management Strategies to Improve Productivity
Improving productivity and maximizing the time in your work day is no easy feat. Many people struggle with managing all their tasks and still having time to work on their goals, other projects, or even just have time to take a lunch with friends. Start with a solid foundation of time management basics like these 5 from this NYC Professional Office Organizer and build on them.
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 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.
Prioritize. This is one of the best time management tips – prioritize your tasks. You only have so many hours in a day, so it’s essential to decide which tasks need to be the priority. Identify the top one or two must do tasks based on deadlines and focus on those first. When you have meetings or appointments scheduled, you should be realistic when identifying and prioritizing what must be done and what can be shifted to another day.
Be early. When you have an appointment, plan on arriving 15 minutes early. With this extra time, you won’t be rushed and can do one last quick 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 a big one! 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 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.
Practice self-care. This is often overlooked. After focusing all day long to complete high priority tasks by their deadline, we often find ourselves working late into the night catching up on tasks that had to be put aside….and then we start over again the next day. By making sure you get enough sleep each night, make time to eat three meals a day and allow time for the things that truly make you happy, you will be well rested and more productive during your work day. If you struggle with making yourself a priority, schedule time for self-care into your calendar.
By implementing these time management tips, you’ll be well on your way to a more productive work day. For more hands-on strategies and time management support, reach out to your NYC Professional Office Organizer.