Time Management Skills for Employees
© Business & Legal Reports, Inc Session Objectives You will be able to: Identify and eliminate time wasters Plan and prioritize effectively Define goals and make time-wise decisions Capitalize on prime and commuting time Avoid procrastination Handle emergencies effectively
© Business & Legal Reports, Inc Session Outline Common time wasters Planning and prioritizing Goals and decision making Prime and commuting time Procrastination Communications, interruptions, emergencies
© Business & Legal Reports, Inc Benefits of Managing Time More productivity Fewer mistakes Less stress More time to do a good job More success
© Business & Legal Reports, Inc Common Time Wasters Reacting instead of acting Not thinking far enough ahead Inadequate preparation Procrastination
© Business & Legal Reports, Inc Common Time Wasters (cont.) Excessive attention to unimportant details Reluctance to ask for help Failure to understand what needs to be done Uncertainty about expectations
© Business & Legal Reports, Inc Overcommitment Indecision Poor organization Rushing Common Time Wasters (cont.)
© Business & Legal Reports, Inc Plan Your Time Make a daily list Make a weekly list Make a monthly list
© Business & Legal Reports, Inc Plan Your Time (cont.) Make a quarterly or annual list Update your lists as necessary
© Business & Legal Reports, Inc Prioritize Your Tasks Rank tasks in order of importance Build in time for the unexpected Allow time for thinking and planning
© Business & Legal Reports, Inc Prioritize Your Tasks (cont.) Remain flexible Realize you won’t finish everything Roll over uncompleted items and reprioritize
© Business & Legal Reports, Inc Time Management Basics Questions?
© Business & Legal Reports, Inc Define Your Goals Determine the desired end result Set short-term objectives for reaching goals Adjust objectives as conditions change
© Business & Legal Reports, Inc Make Time-Wise Decisions Gather all the facts Consider the consequences Talk it over with someone you trust Choose the best available option Remember that you can revise your decision if things don’t work out
© Business & Legal Reports, Inc Capitalize on Prime Time When do you have the most energy? When are there fewest interruptions? Do you know your prime time?
© Business & Legal Reports, Inc Avoid Procrastination Break a large job into smaller parts Do the easy parts first Face unpleasant tasks squarely
© Business & Legal Reports, Inc Avoid Procrastination (cont.) Time yourself Reward yourself Learn from experience
© Business & Legal Reports, Inc Manage Interruptions Set limits Get to the point Deal with the issue on the spot Stand up Conclude the conversation firmly
© Business & Legal Reports, Inc Control Communications Incoming calls Voice mail Picking up Outgoing calls and instant messaging
© Business & Legal Reports, Inc Handle Emergencies Don’t drop everything Spend only as much time as necessary Return to your established schedule Think about why the emergency occurred
© Business & Legal Reports, Inc Use Commuting Time Wisely Plan Review
© Business & Legal Reports, Inc Key Points to Remember Time is one of your most valuable assets To make the best use of your time: Plan, prioritize, and define goals Make time-wise decisions Avoid procrastination Capitalize on your prime time Handle emergencies effectively