Domenic Hutchins is a creative music concert-organizer, rare book seller, improviser, and writer. In the following article, Domenic Hutchins discusses the importance of adequate time management skills in business, and how to achieve productive success.
There are several strategies that can be applied to boost productivity and improve effective time management in the workplace.
Some key tactics to employ include tracking time, using a calendar, breaking down large tasks, eliminating distractions, addressing procrastination, delegating, and incorporating more comprehensive techniques like SMART goals and the Pomodoro Technique.
Domenic Hutchins explains more about how to reach maximum productivity levels while more effectively managing deadlines, projects, and schedules below.
Prioritize Tasks
Prioritizing tasks is one of the fundamental strategies for better managing conscious control of time. By identifying which tasks are most urgent or important, time won’t be wasted on finishing tasks that are of lower priority, first. These lower priority tasks can be delegated to others (more on this later).
The consequence? Workers are just as busy as before, but drastically more productive. “Busy work” is the death of productivity, but by highlighting tasks effectively, time and energy are spent on deserving duties, and efficiency is maximized, according to Domenic Hutchins.
Be More Conscious of Time for More Effective Scheduling
One very simple way to improve time management is to gain a clear understanding of how much time regular tasks take to complete.
Domenic Hutchins says that the best way to accomplish proper planning is to track the time it takes to complete each part of a job, be it research, client outreach, writing reports, or whatever the work entails.
This way, schedules and calendars will be increasingly accurate, and employees can schedule their time accordingly.
Use a Digital or Physical Planner
Many people are visual, and using a digital calendar or physical planner can be a huge help in properly managing their time.
Domenic Hutchins reports that visually planning out days and weeks can make it easier to understand project timelines, view upcoming deadlines, and review blank spots in the calendar that could be utilized more effectively.
Having a big picture look at large tasks and timelines simplifies scheduling and reduces the overwhelm caused by overlapping projects. This also promotes organizational skills, arranging appointments, meetings, and deadlines effectively.
Calendars also allow individuals to set reminders and notifications, ensuring timely preparation and attendance at crucial work (and life) events. By having a clear overview of upcoming events, individuals can allocate sufficient time for preparation, eliminating the risk of missing important engagements.
Break Down Large Tasks
Sometimes, we procrastinate because a project seems too overwhelming to complete. However, by breaking down large jobs into small, easily managed tasks, that overwhelm disappears. Domenic Hutchins explains that feeling of checking off little task after little task also boosts mood since it feels like more progress is being made – this makes it easier to keep going to completion.
Eliminate Distractions
Distractions are a big reason why many people lose track of completing a job at hand. Things like phone calls, knocks on the office door, and notifications buzzing can easily break focus, which can be hard to get back.
Doing everything possible to eliminate such distractions, such as putting away the phone or putting up a do-not-disturb sign on the door can make a big difference in maintaining focus to complete a nagging project.
Avoid Multi-Tasking
Domenic Hutchins also says that another way to improve time management is to avoid multi-tasking. Focusing on one specific task at a time is more efficient than trying to handle multiple to-do’s at once. Plus, each task will be done to a higher standard since the brain isn’t thinking about multiple other chores as well.
Delegate, Delegate, Delegate
A key strategy to improving time management is to delegate every assignment possible. By learning to say no to certain duties and delegating the ones that can be easily, or swiftly performed by someone else, the most important tasks will suddenly have the attention and time they require to be done correctly and efficiently.
Try The Pomodoro Technique
Domenic Hutchins notes that the Pomodoro Technique involves working for 25 minutes, then having a break for 5 minutes. The point to this routine is that the brain gets lots of little breaks and lengthy, monotonous, or tedious tasks don’t feel so difficult to get through. This technique has been proven to provide the brain with enough rest, to rejuvenate, and come back fresh to the job at hand.
Set SMART Goals
SMART goals stand for Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, Time-Bound goals. This strategy ensures that employees can effectively determine what they’re trying to achieve in their day, which can make it much easier to prioritize, find motivation, and create accurate schedules to smoothly manage their time effectively.
Wrapping Up
Domenic Hutchins notes again that while there are no set rules for how everyone can improve their productivity and time management skills, the strategies listed here are a great place to start. So, try them out and see how a few small changes in a routine can make a big difference in overall productivity.
