Time Management � Mantra of Being Successful at Work
Tarif Mohammed Khan
William Shakespeare said, Better three hours too soon than a minute too late. Time; is the most precious thing in the world. So, do you think you do work on time or cannot meet the deadline. Do you think you are always on your time schedule? Are you a good employee who manages time according to the planner? If you are murmuring by reading those question and answer any of it No; then it is really important for you to look seriously on your time management skill. You may not get bonus hour in a day, but if you become more punctual to manage your time you can get the best output of your 24 hours! Here are some tips to manage your time to perform more efficiently and achieve success.
24 hours theory: The 24 hour theory is a very helpful tool to keep your focus on schedule. This theory indicates to have a plan for your 24 hours before it starts. Either when you get up early in the morning or before you go to sleep, plan your next full day. It will help you to remind all your necessary tasks need to be completed within the day time. You will feel lost or puzzled in the middle of the day. You can always look back to your planner for the day what to start and what not. If you move according to your schedule, you may get some amount of time to read books or for your hobbies even.
Practice using a desk calendar: You might think upholding a desk calendar, is very old fashion in the present era of Smartphone. But, trust me! It is really a vital tool to have a calendar. You can put your emergency deadlines to it. Mention the deadlines and day before the deadline important. So that you can work on it before at actual date. Also, put your reminders to it for example, the birthdates of your seniors and colleagues. Moreover, you can mention things on and off you need to schedule. It is always possible to have all the information in your phone calendar but practicing using the calendar will help you in various ways.
Maintain an appointment notebook: Being a corporate executive, it is mandatory to have an appointment notebook. But, you need to maintain it well. Please write down whatever task comes in hand no matter how small or insignificant it is. Because you never know that tiny task might draw your line manager attention after some day and you completely forgot to do that! Write things with date and assigned or associated persons name you think with this. Make a separate list for your mail of each week ahead of the week starts.
The One Go Task rule: The One Go Task rule is a life saving tool not only for any corporate employee but also for any individual. This is a process to do small works not waiting for getting time in hand. For example, if a person needs to send an email just to ask for a query which will take only 2-3 minutes, any individual will think to wait till the end of the day to get a relax time and send it. But, One Go Task says she/he can send it in between finishing a long task and starting another not waiting till the end of the day. For several small tasks like mail, a phone call, specific net surfing can be done as One Go Task.
Saying No can save Time: You must understand that you are a human being not a robot. So, please know your capacity before you work or taking tasks. If your hand is full, please inform the next person about your unavailability for the particular task. It is always better to say a firm no ahead of the times. Cross check with the timeline of the task, if it is possible to do later phase then have it or do not handle which you cannot complete.
Set early finishing line: It is always better to set your finishing line before the actual deadline. Setting target on deadline might make you late sometime. But, if you set your deadline before the real one it will definitely keep you in advantage of finishing just on time.
Stay away from interruption: Make a shot list what interrupts you most. Is that your Facebook messenger? or phone calls from friends in working hour? Or your YouTube browsing for newly released songs? Try to stay away from those distraction as much as possible. If you are feeling really interrupted, please log out from Facebook. Check for notification only when you finish big tasks of the day. Always remember that notification can wait, but your CEO cannot!
Managing time is not an easy task for any person. But, practicing regularly above tips can certainly make you efficient and get the best outcome of it. Remember always; time is the biggest investment what you can invest for your sustainable growth in career.
The writer is marketing and branding professional, he can be contacted via email:
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