How to manage your time like a pro - Sydney Community College
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How to manage your time like a pro

Sydney Community College Blog | on 23 May 2019

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Do you dream of being an organised person?

The definition of Time Management according to the Collins Dictionary is the process of deciding on the order in which you will do tasks, and making sure that they are done on schedule. So what is good time management? Using an effective time management strategy to get the very most out of your day.

Does this sound like you?

  • You never seem to be able to check off all the items on your to-do list.
  • It seems like there’s an endless number of tasks and never enough time.
  • You dream of a work-life balance.
  • You are stressed at work.
  • You may miss deadlines.

If you answered yes to any of these, perhaps some effective Time Management Techniques could be the answer you have been looking for. These can include setting goals.

Goal setting is key to any good time management strategy. Their job is to Goals keep you on task and on track. You need to define goals that are clear and attainable. Once you’ve set your goals and determined the individual tasks you need to complete to achieve them, it’s time to prioritise.

The idea is that you work through a to-do list based on importance and urgency. As you complete each one, cross it off your to-do list. This is going to provide you with a sense of achievement and can motivate you to keep pushing through the rest of your list. Basically getting stuff done. Revisit your list often and add new items as soon as they appear to keep on top of your day.

The better you are at maintaining focus and managing your time, the more you will achieve, and the easier it will be for you to leave the office on time. Not only does effective time management allow you to get better results at work, it also helps you deal with stress and achieve that desired work-life balance. You’ll be surprised at how much more efficient you can be.

It may just be that you need to learn to just say no. Be your own work boss. If you have to decline a call for help from a colleague in order to attend to what’s truly important and urgent, perhaps you need to say no, or if more palatable, “sure I’ll help when my work is done”.

First and foremost though, make a plan ahead. One of the worst things common mistake you can do is jump into your workday with no clear idea about what needs to be done. While it might seem like wasting more time to think ahead rather than getting straight down to business, if you plan your time wisely, it helps you work smarter, not harder.

Anyone can efficiently manage their time as long as they get organised first.

Many surveys confirm that employees believe up to 30% of their day is wasted. Time is our most precious resource. Create your own time management strategy that works for you at our Effective Time Management course. Ideal for Employees with time pressures at all levels and for all business types and sizes.

You can be a time management pro, sign up for the next Effective Time Management Course.

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