8 Strategies for ImprovingTime Management

Andrea Kwamya

Knowledge workers are so overwhelmed by incoming information, they spend much of their time “playing defense”- HBR

‘One Size’ Does Not Fit All.

Rules to Remember

Follow the Golden Rule.

Remain Flexible.

Simpleris Better.

Eight (8) Time Mgmt. Practices

Choose Your Planning Tools.

1 2Outline Your Time, & Prioritize.

Try different things: Calendars, short lists, excel, Wunderlist, Evernote.

Create a 30, 60, 90 goals for long term projects.

Be sure to create agendas for your meetings.

(Understand that priorities can change , but listing will help you determine your workload)

Write down weekly goals on Monday

Write down mandatory tasks every morning.

(Stick them on your desktop as a reminder)

3 Sort the Clutter. (Daily or Weekly!)

4Schedule Time for Lost Moments.

File physical documents regularly

Sort read e-mail via project folderComplete every morning or once a week

(Keep outstanding tasks separate)

Calendar lunch and breaks if necessary

Block time to catch up on emails & phone calls after meetings

(Respect your time the way you would others)

5 Breakup with Multitasking.

Delegate Tasksor Ask for Help.

6

Work on one project at a time;Give your full attention.

Slit project time into measured chunks.(i.e. 30 min, 60 minutes etc.)

(Respect your time the way you would others.)

For managers:Remember your juniors want to help.

For juniors:Be honest with what you can/cannot handle.

(Discuss expectations for work/deadlines)

7 8AnticipateExternal Stimuli.

Transition, Strategically.

Colleague Drive-By’s will happen: embrace it or politely say you will chat with them when you find a break

Bring headphones for neighbors that love to chitchat, or address w/ a polite convo.

(Put yourself in an environment to do your best work while still maintaining relationships)

Change takes time. Don’t try to change your lifestyle in one day.

Find someone organized on your team and ask for advice.

(Don’t force processes that don’t work for you)

Don’t Complicate it.

Key Takeaways

Respect your own time.

Try new things.

Remain Flexible.