Time management is a popular category in many book stores where authors have contributed thoughts and ideas to improving productivity, especially in the workplace. Although this idea has been around for quite some time, there continues to be a significant demand. One reason is the lack of effective time management skills in today's work environment. There are a number of tips that successful time managers have mentioned as helpful to someone interested in improving productivity.
One of the biggest time wasters of today is email. This can be an effective form of communication if managed correctly. First, block out relatively short periods of time during the day to read email. Avoid the trap of reading them as soon as they pop up in the inbox. Coworkers know how to reach you if it is an emergency. Second, learn to take immediate action for each email. Don't get in the habit of scrolling up and down, reading and re-reading them. Schedule that meeting, reply succinctly, or generate a task to work on later. Finally, don't reply more than twice to the same topic. Improve efficiency by calling the person to resolve complicated issues.
Multitasking is something that people tend to be proud of. However, what they may not know is study after study shows that although it may be faster, productivity suffers. This is because not as much can been accomplished when compared to focusing on one task at a time. Successful time managers have learned that not only is more accomplished when you concentrate on one task, but it helps to reduce stress which can help to improve efficiency throughout the day.
Watch an organized person and witness what they do at the beginning of each day. What you will see is a 15-30 minute review and prioritization of the day's tasks. These few minutes each day can save you many precious hours. People effective at managing time can accomplish more in a day using a task list than someone who just goes with the flow. Why? Because they minimize disruptions knowing what little time they have to complete the tasks.
Although not all distractions can be avoided, they can be limited. It is important to evaluate which distractions are valid or not. For those that may habitually interrupt you during the day, it is important to speak with them politely but assertively about how they can get their needs met. Because not all disruptions can be avoided, it is important to be realistic and plan accordingly. Devote some time in the day for contingencies. Finally, utilizing good phone techniques can help improve productivity. Utilize voice mail for times during the day that priority tasks are being worked on. Following these tips will help to improve productivity and allow you to gain more control over your time.
One of the biggest time wasters of today is email. This can be an effective form of communication if managed correctly. First, block out relatively short periods of time during the day to read email. Avoid the trap of reading them as soon as they pop up in the inbox. Coworkers know how to reach you if it is an emergency. Second, learn to take immediate action for each email. Don't get in the habit of scrolling up and down, reading and re-reading them. Schedule that meeting, reply succinctly, or generate a task to work on later. Finally, don't reply more than twice to the same topic. Improve efficiency by calling the person to resolve complicated issues.
Multitasking is something that people tend to be proud of. However, what they may not know is study after study shows that although it may be faster, productivity suffers. This is because not as much can been accomplished when compared to focusing on one task at a time. Successful time managers have learned that not only is more accomplished when you concentrate on one task, but it helps to reduce stress which can help to improve efficiency throughout the day.
Watch an organized person and witness what they do at the beginning of each day. What you will see is a 15-30 minute review and prioritization of the day's tasks. These few minutes each day can save you many precious hours. People effective at managing time can accomplish more in a day using a task list than someone who just goes with the flow. Why? Because they minimize disruptions knowing what little time they have to complete the tasks.
Although not all distractions can be avoided, they can be limited. It is important to evaluate which distractions are valid or not. For those that may habitually interrupt you during the day, it is important to speak with them politely but assertively about how they can get their needs met. Because not all disruptions can be avoided, it is important to be realistic and plan accordingly. Devote some time in the day for contingencies. Finally, utilizing good phone techniques can help improve productivity. Utilize voice mail for times during the day that priority tasks are being worked on. Following these tips will help to improve productivity and allow you to gain more control over your time.
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AlliedTime can help you get yourself and employees on track and on time, so be sure to visit for a great selection of affordable and reliable time clock and time management systems.
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