In a Gallup workplace report, results indicated that 85% of people were disengaged in the workplace, and this lack of engagement accounts for the loss of trillions of dollars. Understandably, in an average 9-5 job, every hour of the day won’t be the most productive. Accumulate that over a 40 hour week, and everyone is bound to get distracted. Still, if you find yourself struggling to get work done and frequently disengaged from your job, you may need to improve your time management skills. Keep reading to learn how to apply some time management skills to advance your career!
- Scheduling
Scheduling is one of the most effective time management strategies.
Creating a schedule on Monday for the entirety of the work week helps every employee understand which of their tasks need to be completed on which day. This sets realistic goals for what can be accomplished and reduces feelings of discouragement if everything is not completed right away. It is also beneficial to schedule breaks.
It is much harder to stay focused without breaks. Implementing breaks throughout the day makes it easier to avoid getting distracted or burned out.
- Prioritization
Start prioritizing tasks. While all things carry some importance, some tasks need accomplishing right away while others have more flexible deadlines. A priority system provides direction and ensures the best use of a company’s time and energy.
- Delegation
One person can’t accomplish everything. Understand when is the right time to ask for help and which tasks demand your attention.
Delegating smaller, more generalized, tasks to coworkers or team members will free up time and energy.
- Organization
The old saying “a cluttered desk is a cluttered mind” is popular for a reason, because it holds a lot of truth. Living in a state of disorganization interferes with the brain’s ability to focus.
Additionally, a messy desk might mean paperwork being lost more often or taking longer to find important information.
- Separate Life and Work
COVID-19 had a lot of individuals working from home. Of the frequently suggested time management skills at home, one of the most reinforced is creating a workspace. Not everyone has the privilege of having an office.
Blocking off a space dedicated to work will help focus the mind on the job, and reduce at-home distractions. Try to avoid a space that will get a lot of traffic from partners or children, like the kitchen or living room. A space with a TV may also pave way for distraction.
- Use the Word No
In a workplace, many people feel like they can’t say no when asked to perform a task or take on extra work. However, taking on more than you can handle is a good way to get burned out, and lose track of your responsibilities. Set boundaries for a workload limit and stick to it.
It may be helpful to learn how to effectively communicate these boundaries to bosses or clients.
- Time Management Skills and Online Resources
Many people struggle with time management tips because they don’t have accountability. They have a hard time enforcing schedules or limits on themselves. Thankfully, there are online time management tools that can be utilized.
Online schedules, to-do trackers, or apps that limit screen time are all great examples.
Improved Productivity
The first step in learning how to improve time management skills is implementing some of these strategies. Not all time management skills may work for you, but testing them out is a surefire way to reduce work disengagement.
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