Time management and task management are two interrelated aspects of a job. You can’t be good at time management without understanding how to effectively do a task and vice versa. So let’s take a look at some time management skills so you can do your tasks effectively.
4 Time Managements Skills To Help You Learn Task Management
Scheduling
Scheduling goes beyond adding tasks to your daily planner.
Effective scheduling involves analyzing the schedule of all parties involved in a meeting to find the best time to hold it. Next, you must determine if the meeting is necessary or a quick email or phone call can solve the issue.
Additionally, block times of your day for all your tasks. Try to set a realistic time for each task and see how you hold up with your schedule throughout the day. Continue like this even if you fail the first couple of days.
Time blocking helps estimate the energy required to complete each task.
Prioritizing
Prioritizing is a skill where you actively decide on which task you will focus on first in the day. Your priority task for the day can change depending on a new schedule, deadline, or urgency.
Part of prioritization involves learning to say no to a task, no matter how urgent, because some other task should have the bigger portion of your focus.
If you have a big project and a daily task, you figure out which part of the project you will do first. The goal is to finish the project by the deadline.
It’s important to set realistic expectations for each task too. Some tasks can be more time-consuming than others and completing a single one can take hours. Don’t be frustrated if you fail to meet your task schedule. It’s part of the learning process for better time management in the future.
Delegate Tasks
You don’t have to do every task. You can’t.
Task delegation is a part of time management too. Give part of the work or some of your daily tasks, such as sending emails to someone else. This will leave you with free time in your day to focus on the priority task.
Even if you aren’t in upper management, task delegation still works. Find a colleague who is a graphic designing whiz. Leave the task of graphic designing to them while maybe you write the words on the poster for them.
Interchanging tasks with those you have higher efficiency in can help everyone stay on top of their game.
Set a realistic goal
For time management, setting goals means creating a timeline for when you anticipate a project will be completed. Break down each project into sections and assign dates for when you can realistically finish them.
Attaching rewards to each section of the task helps massively. For example, if you complete a task in a specified period, treat yourself to a cup of hot chocolate. This serotonin boost can help you easily go through other daily tasks.
Final Thoughts
Time management has become easier with productivity apps in the mix. Practice these skills because one of the primary skills employers look for is time management.
About the Author
Simon Chou is the Vice President of Operations and Growth at BCjobs.ca. Over the course of his career, he carved a niche in brand development, marketing strategy, and online presence for startups. Prior to joining BCJobs.ca, Simon was an advisor for several global blockchain projects including Litecoin, NEM, and Ripple. In the past, he also worked with Fortune 500 companies in the healthcare space through SM Digital—a global marketing agency.
