Thursday, August 15, 2013

7 Ways To Manage Time Effectively At Work

The importance of managing time cannot be stressed enough. Considering the many distractions in our daily lives, it helps a great deal if you know how to manage time effectively especially at work where we spend the most of our waking hours.
Ways To Manage Time Effectively At Work

Prioritise

We all know what our work for the given day is. The problem is we attack work in the same haphazard way Jackie Bhagnani’s fans try to justify their existence. To really get things done, you must know which tasks need to be looked at first. Once you have an idea of how to go about your workday, you will see that things begin flowing a lot more quickly.

Finish the hardest task

Continuing with the earlier point, it is vital that you look to finish the toughest task of the day first. The more you procrastinate doing this, the lazier you will get when it comes to finishing it. Eventually, this will negate all the other time management tips. It’s better that you look at getting the difficult part of the day over with as soon as possible.

Have a plan

Most of us feel a little lost once we have finished doing one task. While prioritizing and finishing your most difficult task will help immensely, you will need to have a plan for the rest of the day as well. Divide your work between before lunch and after lunch and try to be as realistic as possible about what you can do in the time you have.

Have a clean desk

A clean desk is not only inviting, but it helps to keep away unwanted attention. A pile of papers and files is a sureshot way of getting distracted and a decent excuse to skip getting real work done. Make a habit of sorting through your papers every Friday evening or Monday morning.

Switch off social media

The bane of HR organizations around the world, social media is one of the biggest drags on today’s work culture. With Facebook, Twitter and WhatsApp available at the click of a smartphone button, it is up to you to exercise self-restraint and show professionalism at the workplace by getting work done in time.

Say no

Another common mistake is taking on too many things and sitting up finishing them after everyone else has gone home. In today’s age of multiple bosses and linear hierarchies, it is very important to know your role and work profile. Look up your job description and annual goals to check if you’re being overworked. If you are, then learn the art of saying no.

Reward yourself

If you have managed to follow all the above-mentioned points, you should be leaving work early and happy. Reward yourself with a small gift of your choice as a way of motivating yourself to do this day after day.
Time management is essential if you want to have a proper work-life balance. Even the richest billionaire has only 24 hours in a day to himself. The only difference between you and him is that he makes them count.

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