PRINCIPLES OF EFFECTIVE TIME MANAGEMENT

It’s not entirely that hard to flawlessly complete our work if only we do it with a passion. Firstly when the task is unattractive, we tend to lack motivation. Also the task can be simply repulsive. And therefore task becomes a challenge and what we need is the effective time management.

Firstly what we need then is the right attitude. And if you have the personality that concentrates on current moments, it may be quite difficult for you to begin the tedious work. Also people with future personality often have it much easier because they can already imagine the results, as well as the satisfaction that the completed task will bring. And even the most boring action can be performed if we expect positive consequences.

Furthermore with the end of the year rapidly approaching, many managers are under plenty of stress trying to complete multiple tasks in the next month.  This article therefore discusses principles of effective time management to help you achieve more with less stress.

1. Important Tasks versus Urgent Task

Firstly numerous managers spend their workday in a frenzy of activity, but achieve very little.  In other to make the most of your time, ensure that your understanding of what’s important is not clouded by your sense of urgency.

Secondly important items are the proactive or progress tasks that will move you closer to your goals and objectives, help you reach a position fundamentally better than the one you are in now, and have a direct impact on moving the business forward.

Also urgent items are the reactive and maintenance tasks that do not support your goals and objectives, but still must be completed, occur as a result of everyday interruptions, and leave you in the same position as you were before.

2. Discover your Productive and Effective Time ?

Identifying when you are at your best and planning to use that time of day for your priorities is effective time management.  And whenever possible, tackle important work or activities when you are most alert and energetic because they will seem easier and you will accomplish them faster.  Also be sure to schedule less demanding tasks when your energy levels are decreasing.

3. Apply Flexibility

In other to avoid scheduling each day to the extent that it is impossible to stay on track, you must consider that interruptions are bound to happen and projects may take longer than anticipated.

Also you need to give room for unexpected, leave some open time in your daily plan.  And a good rule of thumb is to leave approximately 40% of your day unplanned because certain days of the week can be more hectic and require more time.  In addition leaving part of your day unplanned can also help ensure that you have time to work on the important tasks that will move you toward your goals.

4. Strategically Plan Time

To underestimate the time needed to accomplish a task is not uncommon.  You need to give yourself sufficient time to do things properly, reduce stress, and promote productivity be sure to:

• First schedule about 10-20% more time than you think the task will require
• Then set aside larger blocks of time for priorities
• And build extra time into your schedule when planning a new project.

Conclusively the managers who accomplish the most know exactly what needs to be completed each day.  And they consider the time spent on planning to be an investment in effectiveness and success and understand that the tasks that need to be accomplished in any given day or week are more likely to be completed when time is taken to plan properly.