One of the many things we hear on our management courses is the whining that ‘I’m not a good time manager’. This mindset always creates problems for managers and does not allow us to tap into the potential to create a high performance culture within ourselves, department and organisation.

The truth is that anyone can be a great time manager, if we choose to go from potential to performance.

So, how do we do this? Here is a simple process we can follow that will allow us to see performance building quickly and effectively:

• Determine exactly where our time is going at the moment. Too many managers confuse busy with effective. If we continually work on the urgent, we won’t have time for the important. Make time to identify where your time goes every day, as this awareness will help you see what is really happening

• Determine what your values are – what do you view as important and what do you want to accomplish? You simply cannot do everything that’s expected of you, so you have to apply the four levels of productivity: With a task, either decide to Do it now, Delegate it, Delay it or Dump it. There really isn’t much else you can do with it.

• Set time priorities that will move you toward living out your values. Now’s the time to plan and prioritise. If you are continually taken away from your plan, become aware of how this is happening. Are you saying ‘yes’ too often? Is the important at the mercy of the urgent? Are you shunning importnat stuff because urgency is getting a grip on you? You simply can’t afford to let your values slip by because of poor prioritisation.

• Develop a system of scheduling that works best for you; don’t be led by a time management guru. There are many ideas out there on how to manage your time. Find a system that works for you, personally. Don’t try to fit in with things that cause more work for you. A system should help you, not add pressure and take more time than it’s worth.

• Stick to your schedule. If you find yourself changing things continuously, the environment might be too blame. See if you are working efficiently and effectively.

These simple steps, if you apply them, will take you from having the potential to be a good time manager to true time management performance. Will you be able to make it work and get the results? Only time will tell!

Thanks again

Sean

Sean McPheat
Managing Director
MTD Management Course

Click below for a:
FREE email course “Improve Your Management Skills”

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As a manager you’ll have many challenges to face. The most important of these challenges is going to be in developing a series of time management techniques that enable you to keep track of all of your projects and responsibilities without letting anything slip through the cracks.

I have found over the years that there are a few tools that have had a significant impact on my time management skills. Hopefully you can gain some benefit from these tools and tricks as well.

Calendars. If you don’t have a calendar, you need to get one. You can purchase a planner at your local office supply store or even search the internet for a free calendar program. Use the calendar to schedule meetings, reviews, and important deadlines. It’s imperative that you are able to take little more than a glance at your calendar to see what events you have coming up.

Keep track of your contacts. As a manager you’ll likely need to get in touch with your employees, clients, members of upper management, and the various vendors you deal with as you accomplish your day to day tasks. While a rolodex is useful, it’s slightly outdated. Utilize the contacts section of your email database or simply invest in a contact management program that will allow you to store information and make valuable notes about everyone you deal with on a daily basis.

To-do lists are essential to time management. Each evening make a list of the tasks you need to accomplish the following day and make sure those things stay at the forefront. You can do this by scribbling your list on a napkin or post-it note – or by investing in a virtual program that allows you to manage your list on the computer.

Find a way to manage your projects. Every project you are working on has its own set of deadlines and goals. Set up separate files for each project you have and make a to-do list for each one. You can do this on paper, in your favorite office program, or by utilizing a formal project management software program that allows you to store files and lists for each project.

Having a firm grasp on your overall schedule, daily tasks, contacts, and projects will allow you to form an effective personal time management system. Do you have any favorite time management tools you already implement?

Thanks again,
Sean

Sean McPheat
Managing Director
MTD Management Training

Click below for a:
FREE email course “Improve Your Management Skills”