Effective Time Management Tools at Work

It is far too easy to lose track of time throughout the work day. Meetings, conference calls and projects can make an 8-10 hour workday seem like just a few precious minutes. Being able to effectively and skillfully budget your time while at the office or on the go can lead you to not only doing the most productive work of your career, but perhaps that promotion and raise to boot! Here are a few key tips to ensure your time is spent in the best way possible:

Keep a Calendar at Your Desk
Although modern technology can make these ancient time keepers seem obsolete, sometimes all you need is a giant deadline reminder staring you right in the face. A desk calendar is a great tool to keep all the important dates at the forefront of your mind while you’re multitasking away like a pro. A serious tip to keep in mind, however, is to not clutter this calendar with every minute task on your schedule, but use it as a big reminder for the things that are a big deal.

Make a List, Check it Twice
They say dogs are a man’s best friend, but that title actually belongs to a well thought out and executed list. A list of daily, weekly or even monthly tasks is absolutely crucial to proper time management. Knowing what you have to do and more importantly when you have to do it will allow you to designate the appropriate amount of time for each item. Being able to determine the priority of each task is a great tool for time management.

F-O-C-U-S
We’ve all been there, completely and utterly frazzled at work. A deadline at 4PM, a meeting at 5:30 and the presentation in front of the boss at 8AM sharp the next morning. Ouch. But have no fear, for those who can learn to focus properly, can tackle all of these tasks with ease. This is no call to action for the weak; however, being able to center yourself at the most crucial of moments takes practice and dedication. Recognizing where you are, how you got there, and most importantly that you understand the importance of the individual task at hand will allow you to take those deep breaths in, release, and take on what lies ahead.

Keep a Balanced Plate
Everyone wants to feel like Superman or Wonder Woman, but sadly none of us are. We are all human, capable of great things, but we must know our limits. Taking time to understand just how much we have going on is another tool in effective time management. Sure, there are times when we must budget seemingly 10 different things at once, but this is not the norm. We are all capable of learning how much we can take on at a time and still get everything done to the best of our capabilities.

Don’t Worry, Be Happy
Stress can be the biggest downfall when trying to work on an effective time budget. Being able to forget workplace problems and deadlines when relaxing with family and friends is just as crucial and grinding the gears when on the clock. Going into work each day with the right attitude, and leaving with a similar approach, will allow for clear thinking and processing, which directly leads to more efficient and effective time management.