Time management is an important skill for managers, HR professionals, and employees alike. If you seem to stay busy all the time without being able to accomplish as much as you feel like you should, it's a good idea to brush up on your time management skills. To begin, explore our list of common time wasters to identify barriers to effective time management that may be zapping your productivity. Then, continue building your skills to become an expert at managing your time.
3 Common Time Wasters to Avoid
There's no one-size-fits-all approach to effective time management, though some common time wasters seem to be responsible for a lot of wasted time. Ready to make better use of your time? Start by seeing if you identify with any of the common time wastes listed below.
Relying Too Much on Memory
Busy professionals can’t rely on memory to keep track of everything—there is just too much to do. That's why it's so important to keep a running to-do list (digital or on paper—whichever you prefer) and refer to it regularly.
Don't just think, "I'll do that later." Use that thought as a trigger to stop and add things to your to-do list!
Cross off items as you complete each one to prevent re-doing what you've already done or trying to remember what you've completed.
To be clear, you need one to-do list, not multiple scraps of paper or apps. Just writing down a task won't help you keep up if you can't remember where you put it!
Taking Over Tasks for Others
Do you tend to take over tasks for people rather than helping them learn how to do things for themselves? If so, you probably think this is the fastest way to get things done, but it's not. Seriously. Sure, it might take longer to do that at that moment than to do it yourself, but effective time management isn't about one moment in time. It's about long-term solutions.
When coworkers or employees are struggling with a task, don't give in to the temptation to take over and do it yourself. Instead, take the time to teach them how to do it. Once they know what to do, then they'll be self-sufficient. If you do it for them rather than really teaching them how, then someone (probably you) will have to keep doing it for them every time the same task comes up. That's not a good way to manage your time (and it's also frustrating for the other person).
Saying Yes More Than You Should
It can be tough to say "no" when you're asked to tackle things above and beyond your ordinary responsibilities, but it's not impossible. It's also important for anyone who wants to master the art of effective time management.
Saying "yes" to everything can absolutely prevent you from managing your time effectively. Improving your time management skills involves being able to separate must-accept requests from those that aren't truly necessary so you can make an informed decision about when to commit and when to say no.
Eliminate Time Wasters to Improve Time Management
The time wasters listed above aren’t the only ones that can hinder effective time management, but they are among the most common habits responsible for zapping a person's productivity. If you identify with these time wasters, choose one to focus on first, then start incorporating the rest into your daily habits and explore other ways to improve your time management skills.
Build Your Skills with Time Management Training
Time management skills are important for frontline managers, HR professionals, and employees at every level. Recognizing your time management challenges and getting the training you need to make the most of your time is the key to boosting your time management skills.
Inside Insights provides online and instructor-led time management training that can make a real difference. Options include:
Online Time Management Training - Looking for a fully online training program for yourself or a member of your team? Our 2-hour online Time Management course provides practical time management skills and strategies for professionals. It's even approved for continuing education credit for HRCI, SHRM, and ATD-certified professionals and offers IACET continuing education credit.
Instructor-Led Time Management Training - If you're looking for training for a virtual or in-person group, our instructor-led Time Management Essentials training course is a great option to consider. It's available as a 60- to 90-minute webinar or presentation or as an up to half-day on-site training program.
Are you ready to improve your time management or offer training on this important skill to your organization's employees? Contact us today for expert assistance in identifying the time management training solution that best meets your needs.