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What Are the Crucial Time Management Skills?
Individuals who improve their time management skills are often more productive at work and less stressed in general. While there are many important time management skills, here are some of the crucial ones:
Planning Ahead
Individuals planning their time in advance can divide their workload and be more efficient at tackling tasks. Professionals do this by determining at which point of the day they are most productive (e.g., early in the morning or late in the evening) and allocating those hours to their most challenging tasks.
Prioritizing
Professionals evaluate their workload, determine which tasks are more pressing and important for a given project, and prioritize them for the day. At the same time, professionals leave out low-priority tasks for later when they have time to spare. One way they do this is by making use of the Eisenhower method.
Professionals evaluate their workload by going through every task and checking the deadlines, consulting with their manager, or asking their colleagues for help on pressing tasks.
Eliminating Distractions
Distractions and procrastination are the two biggest challenges in time management. Social media, web surfing, and distracting co-workers can sidetrack individuals from focusing their efforts on their priorities, resulting in them losing track of their schedules.
Once they start honing their time management skills, professionals can try to combat these scenarios by leaving their phones locked in a drawer for the remainder of the workday and using browser extensions that block distracting websites such as social media, blogs, etc.
Curbing Multitasking
Multitasking is generally thought of as a great way to get additional work done. The reality often spins a different tale, as multitasking has been linked to a decrease in productivity. When individuals multitask, they often work on several tasks or projects at the same, but often don’t manage to complete them to a good standard.
Professionals with keen time management skills often plan their workload and focus on one task at a time. They give that task their full attention to avoid mistakes or delivering a subpar product.
What Are the Benefits of Proper Time Management?
Timely Work Delivery
Professionals allocate adequate time to planning work tasks, resulting in lower work pressure and timely deliveries. When an individual has their schedule planned out ahead, their brain is “rewired” to follow the plan’s structure and complete the activities or tasks within the specified timeframe.
Enhanced Quality of Work
Workers are required to complete tasks while maintaining a certain quality and standard. This is easily done when professionals properly utilize their time and prioritize tasks and activities adequately.
Less Stress
When employees have their hands full, they can succumb to the stress of having too much work. This can hamper productivity levels and their personal health.
A carefully laid out work plan can help them feel like they have things under control. Although the plan is subject to change, professionals with sharp time management skills can adapt to sudden changes and add them to their roster of activities.
