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10 top tips for better time management

Posted on 1 July, 2020 by Lyndsey Segal in Business Coaching

Time is one of the most important resources that we have, however there are not enough hours in the day when you run a business! As the COVID-19 pandemic unfolds, we are needing to change or reorganise our work patterns and prioritise effectively. The warm weather, juggling childcare and work and endless distractions can really impact on our time and our time management.

Here are my 10 top time management tips to help you manage your time more effectively, be more productive and get more done!

1.Create a weekly timetable

A timetable showing the days of the week, broken down into hours, will enable you to schedule in daily tasks and appointments (personal and professional) and how long they will take. This will give your days and weeks structure and help keep you focused.

2.Use a time management app

I personally use and love Todoist. It is a cloud-based service, so all your tasks and notes sync automatically to any device on which you use the app, so no need for lots of different to-do lists in different places. They’re with you everywhere you go!

3. Identify your flow time

When are you most in flow? Protect this time by carrying out tasks which require you to have focused and uninterrupted concentration. If you’re unsure when you are most in flow, pay attention to how you feel throughout the day for a few days to notice if there is a pattern. 

4.Minimise distractions

Whether it’s turning your phone to silent, turning off social media or email notifications, removing or at least minimising your distractions will help to create time for focused work rather than fragmented, interrupted sessions. Listening to music or using noise cancelling headphones can help with background noise.

5.Do the thing you don’t want to do first

It is so easy to move the thing you don’t want to do to the bottom of your to-do list or move it to another day or keep putting it off. A way to combat this is to do the thing you don’t want to do first. “Procrastination is the thief of time.  Edward Young, Poet.

6.Break work down into actionable steps

A long list of tasks can appear overwhelming and can lead to procrastination, so breaking bigger tasks or a long list of tasks down into smaller chunks can help motivate you to complete them.

7. Change your language

Describing your more complex or challenging tasks using positive language can increase your motivation towards them e.g. instead of saying “I need to write a long report”, instead try “I am going to write the introduction to my report”. Breaking tasks down into smaller, more achievable chunks will help. A powerful strategy is to complete small sections of unpleasant or overwhelming tasks in between more interesting and rewarding ones!

 8.Work in batches

Our brain gets more tired when it switches between very different tasks, so you will be more productive when you do similar tasks together – in batches.

9.Take regular breaks

Timetabling in breaks to your daily routine or rewarding yourself with breaks after completing certain tasks will help boost your energy and productivity.

10.End your working day prepared for the next

Finish each day with a priority list of what you plan to do for the next day. It is a positive way to end the day and helps you to start the following day ready to go!

There are never enough hours in the day but being proactive about planning, protecting and managing your time will make a big difference to managing a demanding workload.  I hope my 10 top time management tips will help you take greater control over your workload, your time and your time management. 

How I can help you

‘Time management and productivity’ business coaching module

1:1 coaching to help you manage your time and workload more effectively and boost your productivity. This is also available as a training workshop for teams.

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  • adjust to the changes and challenges in your business
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Networking & business coaching event:
Boost time management and productivity for your business

Learn tools, tips and techniques to help you be more efficient and productive as you adjust to a new way of working and network with other business owners.

Thursday, 16th July, 10am-12pm via zoom

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