Benefits of Time Management
How can you make the most of your time? Time Management.
Our society is getting faster paced with each passing year. We are all looking for
ways to help us complete the things that we need to do in the shortest time possible so that we can have additional time to have for
ourselves. This can get us into trouble if doing things fast means that mistakes are made. When this happens we spend additional time
correcting mistakes. This can create a vicious cycle. There are times when we simply need to slow things down.
One of the best things that we can do to help ourselves is to become more
organized. Organization can help us manage our time better. There are many benefits of time management. We can be more productive as well as
more efficient. When we are more efficient we save time and money. Other benefits of time management involve helping the company you work for
save money. This creates a happy employer and when this reflects back to you, it may mean additional compensation in money or time
off.
I think all of us realize the benefits of time management, but implementing the
skills may be something new to us. I have found that lists work well for me. When I make lists at the beginning of each day I find I am more
apt to get the things done that are needed. My routine each morning is to write down the things that I would like to as well as need to
accomplish that day. I then prioritize the list in order of what is most important to accomplish. Once this is done I look at any related
tasks that can be done in conjunction with each other. For example if I need to meet with a co-worker on a different floor and also deliver
reports to another department I will do this at the same time. This way I am away from my desk for one period of time thus cutting down on the
amount of running around I need to do. I also do as much correspondence at one time as possible to limit the number of trips to the printer,
copier and mail room. Multiple trips uses up time. Also I find when I am out and about away from my office I spend time greeting co-worker and
doing other things that can eat away at my time.
Once my list is written and prioritized I begin with the top item and start
working my way down. If I am on a tight schedule I limit the number of interruptions by putting my calls through to voice mail to answer later
and also shut my office door. What ever is not completed on my list by the end of the day gets added to the list for the next day. Some of
these techniques may seem rigid, however the benefits of this time management pay off by getting things done and creating more time by the end
of the week.
You can translate this into your personal life also. The same principals apply,
list what you want and need to get done, prioritize and check off as they get done. If you are a list person this will work for you. Sometimes
we feel that we have too much going and then add the fear of not remembering everything we need to do. The LIST can help keep that worry at
bay.
Article by a well organized office worker
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