12 tips for effective time management

Time management is not just a buzzword. This is, in fact, what all people do who need to manage their time rationally. It’s just that many people don’t know that scheduling and scheduling tasks for the day is exactly what time management is.

Some competent businessmen even started such a position as a time manager in their state. And if you choose the right and good candidate for such a job, then he will help save you time, money, resources, etc.

So, if you have such a need as the rational use of your time, or you need to create the most competent schedule for the employees of your company, some of the tips below in the article will come in handy to help you in this matter.

No 1. Eat stewed cabbage first. 

Your mom was right. Always plan your hardest or most frustrating tasks early in the day, while your energy and focus are at their highest. Get down to the hardest part right away before you get overwhelmed by more mundane chores. The longer you put it off, the more it accumulates and the worse it tastes (and smells). Let the main thing remain the main thing, even if it is unpleasant.

No 2. Be fast, but not bigoted. 

You do not need to create a schedule packed to capacity, where you will not have a minute of free time or the slightest break, but you will have time to do all the work. Short, focused bursts of activity are the key to good, productive work. Use something like a kitchen timer: set it to 45 or 60 minutes, and don't stop until you hear a beep.

You'll be surprised how much you get done in one hour of nonstop activity—and how little fatigue you get if you take breaks between those hours.

No 3. Be selfish. 

Once you create your own list of things to do, you need to forget and push everyone else's schedules. And although it looks like selfishness, in fact it is not: when you finish your work, you can help others with their work. But first, do what you have to do.

No 4. Assign an expiration date to your plans and expectations. 

If you are expecting a response or delivery from someone, don't stop at just asking or ordering - set a specific time frame for exactly when you can expect what you expect.

Not only will this allow you to be more precise in your own schedule, but it will also stimulate those with whom you have expectations, since having an end date implies greater concentration. In the same way, when you make a promise to someone, set a date by which you commit to fulfill the promise - and remember to put it in your own calendar.

No 5. Deal with everything once. 

With all the tsunami of incoming email that every entrepreneur gets, it's critical to have a system in place to deal with all inboxes. The most ideal system would be "got - saw - figured out." Decide what to do with the information received, do it - and forget if you do not need it in your daily work .

No 6. Group your busyness. 

Organize your week in such a way that the same days are filled with activities of the same nature. For example, on Monday and Wednesday, take care of personal meetings: visiting clients, sales, and the like. 

On Tuesday and Thursday, set aside time to work with papers: filling out declarations, checking invoices and other documents. And Friday, or part of it, can be left as a “free” day when you will be engaged in any kind of activity. Firstly, changing the type of activity will do you good, and secondly, your brain will be ready in advance for the right activity on the right days.

No 7. Be decisive - it saves time. 

Don't try to figure out what exactly the author of an incomprehensible e-mail meant: just go ahead and ask. This will save you time, effort and reduce the number of errors. Direct and frank answers and questions are the secret of successful communication.

No 8. Delegate. 

Learn it constantly and do it also continuously. When you learn how to do this well, you will notice how the efficiency and productivity of both you and your entire team will literally go to another level. Find out what your strengths are and what you do best - and find people who are good at everything else. And then - delegate and enjoy the result.

No 9. Study your time. 

If you notice that time is slipping away in whole chunks, no one knows where, then it's time to take a closer look at your schedule. For at least one week, write down everything you do, hour by hour, from the moment you wake up to the moment you go to bed.

It's very sobering, trust me. It also exposes holes in your schedule. And it is quite possible that after that you will have to change not only your schedule, but also the whole way of your life.

No 10. Don't forget about fitness. 

People who work, so to speak, with their heads often forget about the rest of their body. Exercising will help you stay fit, sleep well, be less nervous, and work more. Trite, but correct.