The essential component for the successful execution of any activity is Time Management. It is a technique to complete any task in time, especially to make work more effective and efficient.
Someone has rightly said that “Instead of thinking merely spending time, think of using it.”
How can you become more adept at work? Below are some strategies to be implemented to maintain your work-life healthy.
1. Distribution of Time
First thing you need to know where and how much time you are going to spend daily. For that, you need to distribute the time according to work. Analyze where most of your time is devoted, for example, family, job, personal, etc. By doing this, you will be able to sense the best use of the time required for routine tasks. It is the first step which can help you plan for the other activities.
2. Prioritization of work
The priority of any work needs to be identified and is scheduled accordingly. Activities of work can be further divided into high, medium, and low categories. The effectiveness of work requires a distinction between meaningful work and urgent work.
Planning and scheduling are the key components for the distribution of priorities. The critical activity of any project which has direct or indirect impact must be identified first. The cost-efficiency of any project is also one of the biproduct.
3. To-Do List using a planning tool
The most appropriate and easiest way is to create a to-do list for accomplishing any task. With the use of planning tools such as diaries, electronic planner, calendars, charts, notebooks, etc. you can make your work easier. Note down the work as per the preference and synchronize it accordingly. This will help you in scheduling and managing the work hustle free. While making a list, try to make your work precise and be realistic in scheduling the tasks.
4. Set up of an Algorithm
Before the execution of any work, the specific sequence should be kept in mind. The workflow can be constructed by using past experiences or the already completed projects. It saves time from diversion or confusing situations. Milestones can be marked up during the planning phase only, and in the execution phase, we can note down the required time duration to achieve them.
5. Selection of a critical path
In the project management techniques, it helps to distinguish the activities needed to complete a project. How one activity is dependent on another can also be identified. On consideration of the different paths or methods, one must determine the critical approach as it directly affects the project completion time. From the certain options of doing a work, the one which utilizes the least time is the critical one. For purposes, we must identify the essential activities or events to complete a task.
6. No multitasking
Stop multitasking, as it will affect your work. The study says that the human brain cannot do many tasks at one time. It is better to focus entirely on one thing rather than working on various tasks.
Quality is one of the essential parts of work that can be affected due to multitasking. For overall productivity, stick to complete one task at a time and then move on to other activities.
7. Organized and Constructed work
A messy workplace can make your work lengthier. Cleaning up the clutter surrounding your working area consumes time and can cause distraction in work. Be organized and constructed in your workplace. According to neuroscientists at Princeton, “physical clutter in your work environment competes for your attention and results in decreased performance and increased stress.”
8. Breaks amid work
To stay focused and precise in your work, you need to take breaks to refresh yourself. Though humans are not made of machine, so to work efficiently, it’s right to relieve yourself from work for a short interval of time.
9. Set deadlines to complete a task
Setting up a timeline to work motivates you to complete the task on time. It also helps in the step by step monitoring of a task. The work can be sub-divided into different phases, and the progress percentage can be marked up to the deadline. Quality assurance can also be achieved on the phase-wise working of a task.
10. Focus without Distraction
Distraction can screw up your carefully planned schedule. While working on any job, you must stay on track and keep away yourself from distractions. Many unnecessary things can divert your mind from the decided goal that you want to achieve. We all know distractions and time management don’t mix well together. But we may not always be aware of what diverts our attention. That’s why you should keep a list of everything that distracts you. It will help you identify, and eventually, thwart these interruptions.
11. Self-Sustainment/Personal Care
To optimize the efficiency of an individual, self-care is another aspect to be taken care of. The working capability of one is not same in the whole day span but can be enhanced by motivating and rejuvenating yourself from time to time. The restlessness of a professional hampers its health, the result of which is a mental and physical illness, decreased efficiency, piling of work, and ultimately loss of crucial time. Proper sleep, proper meals, and exercise can help to exceed your limits of thought process, working stamina, and quality of work. The capability of an accurate and timely decision making in an acute pressured situation is a result of healthy minds. A small amount of time dedicated to self-realization is
really important in analysing your strengths and weaknesses; it amplifies your positive attitude towards life.
12. Plan for Tomorrow
Before getting to bed, you must plan your work well in advance. This will help you to accomplish the aimed goal having a clear idea in your mind.
By following all the above strategies starting from the to-do lists till ending up again for next day plans, you will find the work easier and smoother and will be able to manage the time far better than before.