#FocusFriday: Where did all that Time Go?

by: Lisa Weaver: Social Media Marketing and Communications Manager, Xerox

If you’re anything like me, you often find yourself scanning your calendar, clock, to-do list and the piles on your desk wondering, “Can I squeeze one more thing into my afternoon”?

Trying to keep up with multiple projects with varying priorities can be overwhelming so when the hours and minutes start to get away from me, I rely on the following time management strategy to keep me on track.

Make lists and prioritize: This is my favorite. I find one of the best ways to prioritize tasks is to list them all out and then focus on the top three important action items. I also revisit my list often as priorities tend to change.

Consider importance over urgency: Sometimes urgent tasks that come with a short deadline aren’t necessarily the most important. The important action items are those that are long-lived and support larger company goals and career objectives. This works even with the most simple of tasks. For instance I might want to provide feedback on that survey due today, but answering a customer question comes first even if there isn’t a deadline associated.

Schedule time and plan ahead: I select three important tasks every day and schedule time for them. I also try to get ahead of the time curve by thinking about what’s coming up next. I find it’s easier to have a plan versus reacting to the events going on around me.

Multitask, as appropriate: I don’t recommend posting to FaceBook or Twitter while driving, but I’ve been known to tune into a business-related podcast with my morning coffee while doing my make-up in the morning.

Do it sooner rather than later: While this sounds like a no-brainer, it’s easy to put off a task that doesn’t come with a deadline. If it doesn’t, I like to give it one. Once it has a deadline, it makes my task list.

Well, my times up! On to my next action item.

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For more great tips on this topic, you can visit the Xerox Small Business Website.

The content shared in this blog post is the author’s opinion and does not necessarily reflect the views of Xerox.  #FocusFriday is a weekly conversation helping people with productivity in the office.  Posts can be at the same time fun and serious, in the spirit of the Xerox’s Business of Your Brain app, yet always focused on what matters most, Real Business.

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2 Comments

  1. Candace Nahrgang September 9, 2011 -

    I like the ideas Lisa Weaver has for time

    management. Good thoughts.

    Candace Nahrgang

  2. worldclock February 7, 2012 -

    #FocusFriday: Where did all that Time Go? | Real Business at Xerox – just great!

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