Learning to Handle Time Management

By Tripp, Senior Ticket Counselor

Do you find yourself overwhelmed and wishing for more time throughout the day?
Do you finish projects and tasks only to find more pile up for you to complete?
Do you struggle to devote the right amount of attention to your tasks because of frequent interruptions and lack of organization?

If you answered yes to any of these questions, you may struggle with time management.  Time management is how well a person controls the amount of time spent on activities or projects in an effort to increase their efficiency and/or productivity.  Sounds stressful?  It doesn’t have to be! 

Time management is an important skill to master, and certainly one that potential employers look for in employees.  When reviewing candidates for available jobs, employers want to make sure they are going to hire someone who uses their time on the job wisely.  If you aren’t sure how well you would rate your time management skills, try this free quiz by MindTools.com to measure where you many need to improve.

The key to good time management is organization.  From here the process will get easier as you go.  Below are some tips to help you get started on improving your time management.

1. Plan each day.  This can help you accomplish more and help you feel more in control of your schedule.  A to-do list with the most important tasks at the top can definitely help.  You may also want to keep a daily schedule so as to avoid any conflicts or last-minute rushes.
2.  Prioritize your tasks.  Don’t spend all your time on non-essential tasks.  By prioritizing your tasks, you will make sure to devote most of your attention and energy to the ones that truly matter, and allow for you to get back to the other tasks when it is more convenient. 
3. Delegate.  If you have too much on your to-do list, look for opportunities to delegate some of your tasks to others.  However, make sure this is okay with your employer BEFORE going ahead.
4. Take the time you need to do a quality job.  Take the time and effort to do a job right the first time.  While it may take you longer that you’d like, you won’t be spending any unnecessary time going back later to correct mistakes.  Your employer may appreciate this!
5. Break up large tasks into smaller ones.  If you have really complex tasks, take a few minutes at a time to work on them.  While it may seem small at first, the further along you get you will realize you are almost finished. 
6. Evaluate how you spend your time.  Keep a journal for several days that shows what you did and when.  Afterwards, go back and review what you completed.  You may notice that there are different tasks and time slots that can be used more wisely.  You may even be able to free up some extra time for breaks and/or relaxation. 
7. Limit distractions.  Block out some time in your schedule to tackle big projects.  This is a good time to shut that office door, turn off your phone, pager, e-mail, etc. to focus on the task at hand.
8. Get plenty of sleep, eat healthy, and exercise!  If you find that your ability to focus and concentrate at work is limited, make sure you are getting an appropriate amount of sleep, try eating healthier snacks and meals, or schedule a few minutes each day for some exercise.  Any amount will help! 
9. Take a break if needed.  Don’t let stress derail your attempts to get organized!  If you need a break, take one.  Take a mental health day to rest and re-energize.  If time off isn’t an option, short exercises at your desk may be the next best answer.  
10. Take a time management course.  This may sound like a silly idea, but in truth, it can certainly help!
11. Learn to say no.  This can be a hard lesson to learn in the workplace, but the sooner you learn it, the better.  Not everything asked of you is a requirement and taking on more than you can handle doesn’t always show an employer that you deserve more responsibility or respect. 

For more information on time management and how to improve these vital skills, visit some of the resources below.

Mind Tools – Time Management – Link

University of Illinois – University Housing – Link

Study Guides and Strategies – Time, Problem, and Project Management – Link