Business News
5 myths of good time management
Make a ‘To Do’ list
If you can complete a task immediately, just do it! Spending time putting things onto an elaborate ‘To Do’ list can often take longer than actually completing the tasks so the fewer items on your list, the better. Allocate a time slot to respond to emails and messages and spend the rest of your time focusing on the day’s tasks and objectives, which will motivate you as you can actually see things getting done. Your 'To Do' list should only contain the essentials.
Always keep your desk tidy
Whilst a tidy desk can often help you work more efficiently by eliminating distractions, you need to weigh up the time you spend tidying and worrying about the mess against the cost of being untidy. If you can find what you need quickly and could easily direct a colleague to find something, then your desk is probably about as tidy as it needs to be.
Going home at 5:30pm on the dot indicates that you’re not working hard enough
If you’re on track to meet your objectives and deadlines then why shouldn’t you be leaving the office on time? Colleagues and managers should assess you on what you manage to achieve during the day. Being able to successfully complete the day’s tasks within the normal working period shows you have genuine time management skills and can prioritise effectively.
Don’t be distracted by colleagues
Whilst it is difficult to be interrupted during an important or stressful task, colleagues and fellow workers are one of your most valuable assets. Communicate and agree with colleagues on the time and dates that you don’t wish to be distracted and urge them to do the same. If you’re working on an important report or proposal then of course you won’t want to be distracted; however, failure to recognise the valuable input and objective opinions your colleagues can provide is a fundamental business fail.
We’re paid by the hour so why be efficient?
If your competitors are completing work in shorter amounts of time, why wouldn’t your customer go with them instead? Ensuring projects and tasks are brought in on time is an essential aspect of good customer service and will in turn save your business money. Use the time you will have saved to enhance the quality of service you provide, e.g. speak to current customers about future plans and offers.
