Create Big Time Chunks
How many times have we questioned where the day went
and, despite our best efforts, we still have a big to-do
list glaring us down?
We may have tried to organise our work in various ways,
but it appears that some chores take up a lot of time
while others are overlooked.
Strategic management is the answer. Yes, time can be
properly managed by implementing precise tactics that
help you maximise each day.
Here are some tactics to create big chunks of time:
- Plan & Plan
- Stick to the Plan (Try your best)
- Delegate
- Define boundaries
Whether it's the night before or early in the morning, always plan for the day before it starts. You might organise your work by what you need to do in the first and second halves of the day if you like. Plan accordingly if you prefer to complete the chores that require the most time first and the remainder later. Use what works for you, but establish a day-to-day action plan.
When you need to get a lot of things done in a day and have a lot of time, you need to stick to the plan as much as possible. Yes, a certain amount of flexibility is OK, and you will need it to adapt what comes your way on any given day. Nonetheless, strive to keep to your daily schedule in order to have a productive day.
Many people find delegating incredibly tough. Some of those who are capable of doing so end up micromanaging. Remember to avoid falling into such a trap. Delegating tasks that your team can complete is a good idea. Learn to trust them with small activities first, and then with larger ones once they have completed those.
Many people spend time on personal matters such as reading emails or reacting to social calls. While this is entirely OK, provided it is permitted in the organization, we must be aware that it consumes our time during working hours. As a result, we wind up working late or taking our work home.