How many times have you said to yourself, “I wish there were more time in the workday to get things done?” Here are some simple techniques that can be used to help find that extra time and energy at work.
Have a Plan (Set Goals)
In the same way that a successful company needs a business plan, it is important to have a personal work plan – a well-thought-out scheme to help guide and direct your work activities.
The plan should consist of concrete and measurable goals, with a timeframe for completing them. However, rather than setting firm deadlines which can lead to pressure and stress, it is a good idea to have some flexibility. For example, your ideal date for finishing a report might be August 1st, but you might set August 10th as a “realistic” completion date, with August 15th as the absolute deadline.
Organize Your Work Day
Develop a consistent daily work schedule and stick to it! Develop a routine and set aside specific times each day to accomplish each category of tasks (e.g., writing in the morning, meetings before and during lunch, recordkeeping in the afternoon, etc.). The regularity offered by a consistent schedule provides periods of time to make sure each category of tasks gets done and none gets overlooked.
Learn to Delegate Effectively
Learn which tasks can be delegated and which need your personal attention. Trying to do everything yourself leads to overload, stress, and burnout, but it also does a disservice to subordinates’ development.
Since we are in the summer internship period here at my campus, you might consider hiring an intern to help with special projects that you never seem able to spend enough time on.
Don’t Make Work Harder Than It Is
Most time pressures are self-induced. We set unrealistically high goals or standards for ourselves and then feel as if we should be getting more done. Remember that most important tasks are done in a step-by-step fashion. Focusing on each step, rather than on the entire project, may cut down on feelings that you are overwhelmed by the enormity of the project.
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