Tips for Managing Time and Tasks at Work

When it comes to time management and completing tasks, it can be extremely easy to get distracted. Whether you work remotely or work from an office, it can be easy to let a day slide away before your eyes, without finishing off your tasks. If time management isn’t one of your top skills, there are steps you can take to manage it effectively, and ensure you maximise your day. These are some top tips for managing time and tasks at work.

Plan Your Week

It is a good idea to plan your week on a Sunday, so you are prepared in advance of your working week. It should only take about 10 minutes to sit down and plan on a Sunday evening, but it will help you achieve results. Consider what you want to achieve by the end of the week. Are there any training courses you want to complete? Do you have a report you need to hand in? Would clearing out your emails help you keep a clear head? There are tasks which you can easily put off for months, and this can weigh on your mind. It is a good idea to understand what you want to complete in the week, so you stay more productive.

To-Do List

When you have a clear vision for your week, you can break that down further into daily tasks. On a Monday, for instance, when you are just recovering from the weekend, you might want to spend your day on small tasks, like clearing out your emails and files, to ensure you are organised for the week. Friday might be the perfect day to focus entirely on a training course. As you complete each task, tick it off as this will make you feel more motivated.

Reduce Distractions

The most significant way to reduce productivity is through distractions. It is important to minimise these as much as possible. For example, don’t be tempted to dip in and out of Facebook while you are completing a report, as this will just end up taking much longer than was necessary. Instead, give yourself allocated times to check social media. For instance, you may want to check once in morning, afternoon, and evening. Any more will seriously reduce your productivity. If you work in an office, you may want to go into a separate room to work if you have a deadline to meet. Reducing distractions is key to managing time effectively.

Schedule Breaks

Make sure you take regular breaks to give your brain a rest. Most people can’t focus for more than 90 minutes, so this might be a good length of time to work before taking a break. Your break should be away from the screen, and if possible, outdoors. A quick walk, read or chat with a colleague, will do wonders for your productivity.

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