Work Tips: Time Management (3)

This is the third ‘Work Tips’ blog post on the topic of time management. We already covered structuring your time in ‘Work Tips: Time Management (1)’ and scheduling events in ‘Work Tips: Time Management (2).’ You can check them now or start here first! In this post, we’ll continue with some more time management tips.

Set Priorities

Organize your tasks with a to-do list app or a simple to-do list. Prioritize tasks that are urgent and important. Not all urgent tasks are important. In a busy job, it’s easy to follow the infinite series of urgent tasks from others and run out of time to deal with your own priority tasks or the important projects that matter most. I’ve experienced this problem myself. I tend to prioritize the needs of others and don’t want to disappoint anyone. I’ve often taken on the priorities of others and put myself under pressure to meet their urgent deadlines. Now, though, when I’m busy with my priority work and get a task from others, I let them know the situation. If their task isn’t top priority, a more reasonable deadline can usually be negotiated or the task can be passed to a capable colleague.

The most important tasks may be the big jobs which need a lot of time and focus. Minimize the time you put into minor urgent tasks. Get them done quickly or delegate them if possible. Be careful not to have your true purpose derailed by other people’s priorities or poor planning. Focus on making meaningful progress on major tasks that need your skills and personal qualities. Get control of your time and complete important tasks well.

I’ve got another priority task to get done, so I’ll leave it here for now. You can look forward to other Work Tips topics in the future.