Ten Effective Time Management Tips | Ep. 163

Have you ever thought to yourself that there aren’t enough hours in the day, or felt overwhelmed at the tasks facing you? If you have, this podcast episode can help you! I open up about how I handle my time management and offer some of my favorite tips to helping you take your leadership to the next level by showing what I do on a daily basis in my life. I hope you enjoy this episode.

1. Clarify your goals and strategy
   Be very clear about your aims and ambitions, both short and long term. Write a SMARTER. Once you know what you really want to achieve (and why) it’s easier to decide about what needs to be done, and to plan accordingly. Listen episode 146.
2. Focus on your top priorities
   You’ll be more productive if you identify and focus on the areas most important to your business. Work on the fundamentals first. Take action, build firm foundations and the rest should follow.
3. Schedule time
   Literally write an appointment in your work planner (you do have one of those, don’t you?) to set aside a realistic block of time for your priority actions. This reduces anxiety over not having enough time and keeps you focused.
4. Say no!
   Consider Jim Rohn’s suggestion. “Learn how to say no. Don’t let your mouth overload your back.” Always check your schedule before committing to anything new. Don’t allow others to divert you from your objectives.
5. Create supportive systems
   This includes systems for filing, management information, and communication.
6. Take a reality check
   Will your current activity have a positive outcome, or are you doing it to avoid something else? Ask yourself – will doing this take me towards my goal? As Peter Drucker said, “There is nothing quite so useless as doing with great efficiency that which should not be done at all.”
7. Delegate!
   It’s tempting to do something yourself when you think you can do it faster and better. But consider the long term – delegation now will save time in the future, and if done appropriately can motivate your staff, boost their confidence and help them develop their skills.
8. Repeat your success
   Remember the last time you went away on holiday, and how you got so much done in those few days before you left? What strategies and techniques did you employ that made you so effective and focused? Can you repeat them? Alternatively, imagine you are going away tomorrow and work through today accordingly.
9. Balance your life
   Formally schedule personal activities too, so you make time for family, friends, your health and fun because having a balanced life reduces stress and increases energy levels. Time management is really about life management!
10. End the day
    At the end of the working day, tidy your desk, make notes about what needs doing tomorrow and prioritise those tasks. You’ll worry less that evening and be prepared and focused the next morning

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