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Time Management

Since they say time is money, planning your time efficiently has become an essential business skill. Do you think you are good at organising time? Read the following descriptions of bad time management. Can you recognise yourself in any of these personality types related to time management?

This type of personality creates problems for themselves, because instead of actually working, they only think about work. This type tends to 1. _ setting the goals and making decisions, so they end up with even more work the following day.

Tips for the tomorrows:

Break big tasks into smaller ones.
2. _ a deadline and devote at least 5 minutes to the task every day.
3.
_ up a ‘Need To Do Today’ list every evening and DO IT!

If you belong to this type, you can be described as a control freak. Take a look at the workload – are you really the only person who can do the job? Other people may not perform the task as well as you but without the experience they’ll never learn. This type usually lacks 4. _ in other people and doesn’t know when to say ‘no’.

Tips for the poor delegators:

Explain what the task is about and ask for feedback from the other person.
Avoid 5. _ on unnecessary work.
Say ‘no’ politely and 6.
_.

  1. _ of paper on your desk, being late for meetings, 8. _ down messages and telephone numbers scattered all over the office… does your daily routine look like this?

If yes, you are always trying to 9. ____ up for the wasted time. Your motto is: ‘Creative minds are rarely tidy’.

Tips for the disorganised:

Prioritise.
Make up a ‘To Do’ list and always 10. _ to one task at a time.
Find the time of day when you are at your best and 11.
_ the most difficult tasks to it.

If you recognise yourself in any of the types described above, here is a very simple and widely used time management tool – ABCD Prioritisation System – which will help you put your projects and tasks in the order of importance. Try it out!

A: a task you MUST do. This is your main task. There are serious consequences of leaving it 12. _ (e.g. handing in a report to your boss).

B: a task you SHOULD do. It implies 13. _ consequences if not done. (e.g. returning a telephone call of low importance or urgency). NEVER take up a B task if you haven’t completed your A task.

C: something that WOULD BE NICE to do but has no consequences if 14. _ undone. This type of activity has no effect on your work (e.g. lunch or coffee with friends).

D: something you can DELEGATE. If you delegate a task of lower importance or urgency, you will have more time for task A which only you can do.

So, before going to sleep, plan your ABCD for the following day!