How to Improve your Time Management Skills

One of the easiest, most effective ways to manage your time is to make a list. This list can include all the tasks you need to complete in a day, week or month. You can include as many items as you want on your list. After completing a task, make sure you cross it off your list. Those who have long lists can easily forget when they’ve accomplished something if they don’t delete it or cross it off.

Depending on your needs, there are many ways to create an effective list so you can manage your time at the workplace a little better. When creating a list, you should:

<!–[if !supportLists]–>· <!–[endif]–>Prioritize the most important tasks by listing them first

<!–[if !supportLists]–>· <!–[endif]–>Create separate lists for daily, weekly and monthly tasks

<!–[if !supportLists]–>· <!–[endif]–>Complete easier tasks first if possible

<!–[if !supportLists]–>· <!–[endif]–>Ask for help if necessary when completing larger tasks

<!–[if !supportLists]–>· <!–[endif]–>Keep lists handy so you can refer to them throughout the day

<!–[if !supportLists]–><!–[endif]–>Update lists as soon as possible

As you become better at managing your time, your productivity will improve, your stress levels will decrease and you may find that you enjoy your job again.

Set Realistic Timelines

To make your list more effective, set realistic timelines for the completion of all tasks. For example, giving yourself a day or two to write a report or put together a presentation may not be enough time for you to do a thorough job. Giving yourself a week is more realistic.

If possible, try to estimate how much time you need to complete the tasks on your list. Then break them up by creating smaller lists. This can help you plan each day of the workweek so you can cross off all the items on your list. Chunking tasks is a great way to maximize your time.

If you notice that you list includes making or returning phone calls to several different people, why not create a phone call list and dedicate a few hours to complete these calls? By concentrating on one task at a time, you can get it done much faster than having to stop working on one activity to make another phone call during the day.

When to Delegate Responsibility

All too often, we take it upon ourselves to complete every little task that comes our way. If your department has an administrative assistant, why not ask them for help? Instead of spending time making photo copies of an upcoming presentation, contact the department’s assistant and ask them if they can help. Give them a reasonable deadline, always be polite, and cross this task off your list.

Delegating responsibility is not about giving up control, it’s about maximizing your time so you can get everything on your list completed by the end of the work day. And while this may not always be possible, delegating can help you reduce the number of items on your list.

Even though creating a list will not solve all of your time management issues, it can help you stay organized and productive during the day. Once you learn how to save a few minutes here and there, you may begin to see other ways to save time. This can help you learn how to prioritize your time and help you reach your daily goals.

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