5 Practical ways to improve your time management

Effective time management is a crucial life skill for everyone, regardless of the industry or field they work in. Good time management is necessary for meeting deadlines and increasing your productivity. Like all skills, it’s something that needs to be learned and then continuously practised. If you or your employees are struggling to manage your time properly, try these five simple, practical tips:

1. Don’t multitask

Many people attempt to work on more than one task simultaneously rather than one at a time. When we try to multitask, we can’t concentrate on any of the tasks properly which means that they’re either completed on time but poorly, or we miss deadlines. It’s better to focus on one at a time and do it really well.

2. Be proactive

Many of us tend to procrastinate, which can be a major issue when we underestimate how much work the task requires. To avoid missing deadlines because you left something until the last minute and it requires a lot more effort than anticipated, start tasks ahead of time. By doing a little bit each day rather than scrambling to do it all in one go, you can save yourself a lot of time and energy.

Attempting to multitask is a recipe for time management disaster.

3. Use time management tools

There are plenty of time management aids. Some people like the Eisenhower matrix which helps people put their tasks in four quadrants in order of priority and urgency:

• Do first: This quadrant is for urgent and important tasks that must be completed immediately.
• Schedule: You can put tasks that are important but not urgent in this quadrant.
• Delegate: Tasks in this quadrant are urgent but less important and can be assigned to other people.
• Don’t do: If the task is neither important nor urgent, you can list it here.

Some people like the Pomodoro technique, which was invented by Francesco Cirillo. In a nutshell, you use a timer and set yourself short periods in which to work, usually around 25 minutes, and take a five-minute break in between them.

4. Identify productive periods

Some people are early birds (meaning they work better in the morning) while others are night owls (they’re more productive at night). Neither type is right or wrong. It’s helpful to figure out what time of day or night you work best and use it to your advantage (where your schedule allows, of course).

5. Stay organised

By keeping your workplace physically organised, whether it’s a desk or warehouse, you’ll save time you’d otherwise have spent maniacally trying to find the items you need to complete your tasks. An organised workspace also allows you to plan your to-do list because you have everything laid out in front of you.

ICML understands the importance of time management — that’s why we offer a powerful and functional time management training course. Contact us today to find out more about how it can help you or your employees!