By Thuy Lam | Manitoba Start
Do you ever feel like you’re running out of time? We all get the same 24 hours in a day. Why does it seem like some people are able to achieve so much more with those 24 hours than others? The answer is found in effective time management.
Time management is about how you organize and plan the time you spend on specific activities. On the surface of things, it seems that time management should be easy and straightforward—something that just happens. In practice, time management is a skill that takes effort to develop.
The ability to manage your time effectively can benefit you in many ways:
•Increased productivity and efficiency
•Decreased stress
•Greater opportunities to achieve important life and career goals
•More time where it matters
•A dependable and professional reputation
Conversely, being unable to manage your time effectively can have negative consequences:
•Inefficient workflow
•Missed deadlines
•Higher stress levels
•Lower quality of work
•A poor professional reputation
Time management is about spending your time in the right places, on the right thing. In order to manage your time effectively, it’s important to know your priorities, obligations, and schedule. You have to find the strategy that works for you. The following tips can help you to improve your time management skills:
1.Prioritize work. At the start of each day, make a list of tasks, beginning with the ones that require your immediate attention. Some tasks may need to be completed that same day while others can be carried forward to the next day. Prioritize your tasks to focus on the ones that are more important.
2.Avoid procrastination. Procrastination wastes essential time and energy and has a negative effect on productivity.
3.Avoid multitasking. Many of us feel that multitasking is a more efficient way of getting things done. In reality, we do better when we focus and concentrate on one task at a time. It’s better to finish one task before moving to another.
4.Set up deadlines. Set a realistic deadline for your task and stick to it. It may help to set the deadline a few days before the task is due so you can complete any other tasks that might get in the way. Challenge yourself to meet the deadline, and reward yourself for meeting a difficult challenge.
5 Schedule tasks. Carry a notebook or a planner with you to write down all the tasks that come to mind—or enter them on your phone. Make a to-do list at the start of each day, and prioritize your tasks. Make sure your to-do list for the day is attainable.
Practicing these time management skills will allow you to be in control of your time and your life. It will allow you to maintain balance between your work, personal, and family responsibilities. Time management is a key to success!
Are you a new immigrant looking for a job or planning your career in Manitoba? Visit Manitoba Start at 271 Portage Avenue, Winnipeg, for free career development and job-matching services to help you achieve your professional goals in Canada. www.manitobastart.com.
