8 Strategies for Managing Time More Effectively

By Comrade Chidi Francis

Time management is a critical skill for anyone, but it's especially important for managers. Without good time management, it's easy to get overwhelmed and fall behind on important tasks. 

One of the biggest time management mistakes is trying to do everything at once. Instead, it's important to identify your most important tasks and focus on those first. This can help you avoid feeling scattered and disorganized. 

One strategy is called the Pareto principle, or the 80/20 rule. This principle says that 80% of your results come from 20% of your efforts. So, to make the most of your time, you should focus on the 20% of tasks that will have the biggest impact. These are your "high-value" tasks. The other 80% of your tasks are still important, but they can usually be done later or delegated to someone else. 

Once you've identified your high-value tasks, the next step is to schedule them into your calendar. It's important to block off specific time for these tasks, so they don't get pushed aside by other, less important tasks. It's also a good idea to break down big tasks into smaller, more manageable chunks. This makes them feel less overwhelming and easier to tackle. 

Eat that frog" method. 

This is based on the idea that if you have to eat a frog, it's best to do it first thing in the morning. In other words, you should tackle your most important, most dreaded task first, so it's out of the way and you can move on to other things. This can help you avoid procrastination and feel more productive. 

Two-minute rule

This is a great way to tackle small, quick tasks that often get put off. The idea is simple: if a task can be done in two minutes or less, just do it right away. This can help you avoid a buildup of small tasks that can become overwhelming. Do you think you could apply this rule to some of your tasks?

Touch it once" rule. 

This is related to the two-minute rule, but it applies to tasks that take a bit longer than two minutes. The idea is that once you start a task, you should work on it until it's finished. That way, you avoid having to revisit the task later on. This can help you stay focused and avoid getting sidetracked. 

Some general time management tips.

First, it's important to set clear boundaries around your work time. This means saying "no" to distractions and interruptions, and making sure you have dedicated time to focus on your tasks. Do you struggle with setting boundaries

We're on a roll here! Another tip is to make sure you take breaks. 

This may seem counterintuitive, but taking breaks actually helps improve productivity. When you take breaks, your brain has time to rest and recharge, which helps you focus better when you get back to work. Do you currently take breaks throughout the day? 

The next tip is about dealing with email. Email can be a huge time sink, so it's important to have a system for managing it. One option is to set specific times of day to check and respond to email, and to avoid checking it constantly throughout the day. Do you think you could try this?

The next tip is all about staying organized.

Clutter and mess can be a huge distraction, so it's important to have a clean and organized workspace. This means both your physical workspace and your digital workspace (like your computer desktop and your email inbox). Do you consider yourself to be organized?

The next one is about managing your energy, not just your time.

This means making sure you get enough sleep, eat healthy meals, and take breaks throughout the day. All of these things can help you stay focused and productive. How would you rate your sleep, diet, and energy levels?

The last tip is about reviewing and evaluating your progress. 

This means setting goals and tracking your progress towards them. It also means reflecting on what's working and what's not, and making adjustments as needed. Are you currently setting goals and tracking your progress?