Be productive and make the most of your 8-hour shift with these tips.
At times, a lot of tasks to do for the day can make your work pace overwhelming. Time management in the workplace is vital to develop strategies that can help you effectively manage your time and achieve your daily goals. Acquiring time management skills at work makes you productive, efficient, and effective as a professional. It can help reduce stress at work which can also healthily give you a work-life balance.
Make every second of your 9 to 5 count with these practical and simple time management tips.
Create a to-do list.
A to-do list helps you keep track of your tasks and prioritize them according to their importance, their urgency, or deadlines. By knowing what needs to be done first and how many tasks are needed to be done for the day, you can be more conscious of your pace. Creating a to-do list will also help you to avoid forgetting your tasks. Also, make sure to update your daily to-do list regularly to ensure that you are properly on track with everything that needs to be done.
Avoid distractions.
Distractions such as social media, out of the work phone calls, and unnecessary emails can take up a lot of your time during work hours, without you even knowing it. It is important to limit these distractions and focus solely on your work tasks for the day. Try turning off notifications on your phone or use apps that can block distracting websites during work hours.
Manage your time in intervals.
Research has shown that the human brain can only focus for a certain amount of time before needing a break. With regards to managing your time productively during work hours, try to schedule your time by setting intervals of 25-30 minutes of work time, followed by a 5-10 minute break. This technique is also known as the Pomodoro Technique. This strategy is helpful so that you can have a sound mind when working, and also to be reminded of taking a rest between work hours.
Delegate.
As much as you want to do everything yourself, it is important to recognize within ourselves that we cannot do everything alone. You can delegate tasks to your coworkers, co department peers, or team members. Delegating tasks can help you focus on our core responsibilities while also enabling everyone in the room to work, finish, and do the tasks efficiently.
Learn to say NO.
This might sound like a practical tip, yet it can at times be challenging to do. Sometimes, saying no is necessary to avoid over commitment and burnout. You need to learn to recognize your limits and prioritize what you think should be said ‘yes’ to first. Saying ‘no’ lets you not to compromise your work priorities and prevent you from taking on too much work at once.
Use technology to your advantage.
Technology has undeniably made lives easier and more productive. Don’t be guilty on using productivity apps, cloud-based programs, and project management tools to organize your work tasks! These tools can allow you to streamline your work processes and collaborate with your team members effectively in order to achieve your daily tasks and goals.
Evaluate and improve.
At the end of the day, there is always room for improvement. Evaluate your progress regularly to find out what works, what does not work, and what needs to improve. Set achievable milestones and benchmarks for your work. List and identify any areas that need improvement and make necessary adjustments to ensure that you are making the best of your time while also delivering quality work!
Time management is indeed essential for any kind of work, at any work place. By being mindful of your time, you can enjoy work productively and be motivated do your best at everything!
The Winning Mentality 