LOGICAL LINK BETWEEN PRODUCTIVITY AND TIME MANAGEMENT
If we were asked to come up with one area where we think we can improve, to improve the quality of our work, then most of us would probably say – Time Management. Irrespective of the number of tools available on the market, to help us with Time Management, it is the people who need to make changes in their routines to actually make an improvement.
So, what are the areas that proper time management can help? Well, it will help us get more things done, than we usually do. So, in short – Better Productivity. You have a much more productive day. You finish more than you thought you would, and without the stress that usually accompanies it. Yes, that is a major plus when we plan properly. There is no space for stress, because frankly, there is no time for an anxiety attack in your perfectly planned day! We earlier spoke about ‘changes in routines’ – what do we mean by that, you ask? Well, read on.
The Powerful P’s – Planning and Prioritizing
The best way to being is to have a sound plan. Jot down the things you have to do, and note them down in accordance to their priority. For example, if you have a report to submit this evening, and an important presentation to prepare for later in the week, it is obvious you much work on the report. Once that’s done, you can give your full attention to preparing the presentation.
The trick here is simple. Make a list of all the things you’ve got to do. Note down the deadlines for them, and the time it takes to do them. Finish off those that need immediate attention, because they have a higher priority.
Set Practical Goals
We have always set goals all our lives. Be it a new diet plan, or finishing off a book. While doing so, there is one mistake that we always make. That is, setting a deadline for the goal without taking the exact time it takes, in mind. We often, optimistically allot lesser time, thinking we can get more things done. But that is not time management. The lesser time you give yourself, the higher the chances for you to get stressed get. This will make sure you do not do any job within it’s time limit.
So, set practical goals. Even if it takes a few minutes extra, take them. That way, you can finish off your tasks in a calm way and move onto the next one without any residual tension. Try this once, and you’ll know you’re actually getting more things done!
The Art of Delegation
How does time management include Delegation? It surely is a part of it. Come to think of it, you have a team working under you, and each employee has their own strong areas. When it comes to getting a job done, would you rather sit all day and do it yourself and delegate bit and pieces t people who are capable of doing them just as fine?
There are times when we prefer to do things ourselves. Our pet projects that we are not happy sharing with someone else, but if you want things done, delegate some of it, and until you form a rapport with that person, closely monitor it. And in the meantime, finish off more than you had planned to!
No Stress or Distress
A lot of our productivity gets lost in the haze of stress. Once it latches onto us, we can get nothing done. Therefore, stress management plays an important role in achieving maximum productivity. When we plan our schedules with some breathing space here and there, we can achieve a lot more than we’ve planned. A calm and composed mind is one that is ready to work, to give ideas, and innovate.
