Time Management

We always say project management is not a sprint, it’s a marathon!

If you’ve managed a project of two, you know the pace is hectic, the environment is stressful and the days are L O N G.

You may not think you have a moment to spare in your day, but you can actually be healthier, happier and more productive if you build some exercise into your routine.

Research shows that people who take time for exercise on a regular basis are more productive and have more energy. Being more productive and having more energy means getting more done! Getting off your chair and out of the office is also a great way to get perspective on a problem, give into some ‘blue sky’ thinking or just clear your head and re-energize. Experts say if you can squeeze in a walk or trip to the gym each day you’ll be much more productive and focused when you get back to your desk.

So if you want to get more done, get out of the office and have a healthy, productive day!

1. Not ‘timeboxing’ your schedule

If you plan your daily workload in your calendar or online tool you will have a better chance of not going overtime. It’s easy to lose track of time or let some tasks distract you from getting more important things done. Timeboxing forces to start … and stop work so you can finish all the things you need to get done.

2. Ignoring Not Urgent but Important Tasks

It’s easy to focus your attention on things that are urgent, or appear urgent, but could be put aside until later. Most crises or urgent items arise from someone else’s urgent need to have something done right away. Make sure you stick to your plan to spend time on your own priorities as scheduled, and rearrange less important tasks so you can accommodate any emergency.

3. Not saying no

If your schedule is seriously overloaded, you will feel overwhelmed and unlikely to get everything on your list done. Don’t be too ambitious by stuffing more into your schedule than you can realistically achieve. And if you get a last minute, urgent request – it’s okay to say no (or not now).

4. Being busy doing nothing

There’s a difference between doing a lot of things and getting a lot done. Being busy doesn’t always end in results. Focus instead on high value, high leverage activities. Learn to delegate. Spend your time on activities that will yield results vs. puttering.

5. Getting lost in (cyber) space

Hours can fly by when you’re idling ‘online’. Set some reasonable limits around how much time is required (timebox) each day and enforce it!