How to improve your time management skills

Tips for better time management

Whether you’re starting a new franchise, working your way up the career ladder or trying to build an existing business, good time management skills are essential for success.

With so many demands on our time, managing it effectively can be hard. Creating an efficient time management strategy is the best way to get on top of daily life and get ahead.

Make a list

If you’re looking to improve your time management skills, start by making a list.

Having all of your tasks clearly laid out in front of you will make it easier to prioritise them and ensure that you don’t forget anything essential.

Put your list in a prominent place

Rather than keeping your list tucked away on your phone or in a notebook, why not invest in a whiteboard or blackboard for your home or office and put your list in a prominent place?

Seeing your tasks every day will help to keep them fresh in your mind and having a whiteboard or blackboard available will give you a handy place to jot down any new jobs that come up.

Be realistic

There are only so many hours in the day, so make sure that you don’t set yourself too much to do.

Expect the unexpected

Unexpected interruptions happen to even the most organised among us.

As distractions can quickly eat into your productivity, make sure you allow extra time throughout the day for overrunning meetings, unexpected phone calls, urgent errands and uninvited guests.

Create clear goals for every task

In order to improve your time management skills, it’s important to create clear goals for every task on your list of things to do.

Knowing exactly what you’re aiming for will help you to structure your time more efficiently and help you to know when it’s time to call it a day.

Prioritise

Taking care of the most important tasks first will help you to stay on top your workload even when life is at its busiest.

Avoid procrastination

One of the biggest enemies of productivity is procrastination. Before you start on your list of things to do, turn off the TV, put your phone away and shut down all of your social media tabs.

Focusing on your task will make it much easier to complete it in a timely manner, allowing you to crack on with the next thing on the list.

Take breaks

No one can concentrate all the time, so make sure you take regular breaks throughout the day.

When you do have a break, try to stretch your legs, have a change of scenery and get away from your computer.

Good time management skills are essential for success. By working on yours you can help to improve your chances of achieving your full potential.

 

Joel Bissitt :I am an entrepreneur with over 24 years experience and a Director of Franchise UK. Franchise UK, the UK's largest franchise directory. I love working with franchisors & small businesses & promoting & supporting entrepreneurship. I am married with two children and enjoy keeping fit, golf and time with my family.