Work-Life Balance: Time Management Skills That Work
1. Improve Time Management Skills Through Daily Planning
Spend the first 30 minutes of each day determining how you will spend the rest of it. Whether you use an app like Basecamp, Evernote or Any.do. You can even use an old-fashioned pen and paper list, but don’t start your work without a plan! Your plan should prioritize action items and estimate the time required for each one.
Not a morning person? You may also choose to spend the last 30 minutes before bedtime planning for the next morning. Brian Tracy of Brian Tracy International recommends this method.
“When you plan your day the night before,” says Tracy, “your subconscious then goes to work on your plans and goals while you are asleep. Very often, you will wake up in the morning with ideas and insights that apply to the work of the day.” That sounds like a bonus to us!
2. Organize Tasks More Effectively with Closed List Strategies
British time management guru, Mark Forster, who is best known for his “Do it Tomorrow” approach to time management, advises his readers and app users to make “closed lists,” rather than “wish lists.” What are closed lists? Think of them as to-do lists with limits. Wish lists, on the other hand, are to-do lists without limits. Wish lists continue to grow, eventually becoming unmanageable and counterproductive to effective time management.
To create a closed list,” Forster explains, “draw a line under the task list or use the Close List feature in the “Do It Tomorrow” application and do not add anything to it. If you use a closed list, there is no need to prioritize your work — you do all tasks from the list for your working day.”
3. Use the POSEC Method to Build Time Management Skills
Modeled after Abraham Maslow’s famous hierarchy of needs, the POSEC Method prioritizes tasks based on their importance. POSEC is an acronym and its letters stand for: Prioritize, Organize, Streamline, Economize and Contribute. Like Maslow’s hierarchy, POSEC is structured as a pyramid or triangle, with goals that build upon each other. Start with the goal at the foundation of the pyramid and work your way up.4. Increase Focus Time by Limiting Distractions
One potentially problematic result of 24/7 connectivity is the constant receptivity to distractions. Perhaps you’re finally getting somewhere on that report you’ve been putting off. Then, an email with an intriguing subject line appears on your screen. And, oh look, somebody’s friending you! Many of us have come to believe that by blocking these distractions, we are missing out on something important. That is rarely the case. Whatever you’re missing will be waiting for you when your report is finished.5. Monitor Your Habits to Enhance Time Management Skills
Do you have any idea how much of your day is spent on coffee breaks? What about water-cooler conversations about the ballgame or weekend plans? How many times a day do you chitchat with the guy in the next cube, check Facebook or send tweets?
Joe Mathews, Don Debolt and Deb Percival of Entrepreneur recommend carrying a schedule and keeping track of “all your thoughts, conversations and activities for a week.”
As the writers explain, “This will help you understand how much you can get done during the course of a day and where your precious moments are going. You'll see how much time is actually spent producing results and how much time is wasted on unproductive thoughts, conversations and actions.”
6. Delegation Is a Crucial Skill in Time Management
If you want to have a life outside of the office, don’t insist on doing everything yourself. Many of us struggle to relinquish control over our work product. Maybe we believe that if we want something done right, we must do it ourselves. Others have the mistaken impression that when we delegate, we are being lazy or taking advantage of others. Delegating can take some getting used to, but it has many advantages for both managers and their employees.
“Trying to accomplish or micromanage too many tasks leads to burnout, poor quality and missed deadlines, not to mention time management problems,” writes James Baker, Founder and CEO of Baker Communications. “Delegation is not a sign of weakness; it’s a sign of leadership.”
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Frequently Asked Questions About Time Management Skills
1. What are time management skills?
Time management skills are the ability to plan, organize and control how you spend your time to accomplish tasks efficiently. These skills help reduce stress, improve productivity and support career growth.
2. Why are time management skills important?
They’re important because they help you stay focused, meet deadlines and maintain work-life balance. Strong time management is especially valuable in management roles where priorities shift quickly.
3. Is time management a soft skill?
Yes, time management is a soft skill. It reflects your ability to stay organized, set priorities and manage responsibilities—essential traits in any work environment.
4. How can I improve my time management skills?
You can improve time management skills by setting clear goals, using task lists or apps, minimizing distractions and regularly reviewing how your time is spent.
5. How do you develop better time management skills?
Developing time management skills involves consistent practice. Start by planning your day, prioritizing key tasks and building habits like delegation and focused work sessions.