6 Tips for managing your time at the Office or Teleworking
In the office as in teleworking, it is not always easy to manage your time efficiently. In fact, you can quickly feel overwhelmed, stressed, accumulate unfinished tasks, procrastinate or have trouble finding free time for leisure activities. So what can be done to make the best use of time?
It is very important to know how to properly manage your time to, among other things, succeed in completing tasks and managing to maintain a personal life, as well as work. Therefore, we offer you 7 tips to manage your time at work:
1. Learn to redefine your priorities and goals
It is important to know how to set your goals and focus on those that are a priority. Distinguish what is important and what is less to do your daily tasks. That also applies to messages you receive in email. If you’re not sure what their priorities are, ask your team coordinator for advice, for example.
The SMART method , which has been around since 1954, can also be very helpful in setting goals. This acronym comes, according to its translation into English, from: Specific, Measurable, Attractive, Realistic and Temporary. It will help you invest just enough time to complete the day / week / month and not waste it.
2. Make a to-do list of the important things you have to do during the day
Before you start work, make a to-do list of the most important things to do during the day. This will help you to visualize your day more clearly, to organize yourself better and to put less important things in the background. The latter, however, should not be overlooked because if you have to order administrative documents, for example, you will have to do it sooner or later. So keep these secondary tasks in mind as well on your priority to-do list throughout the week or month.
Writing homework is very important because it allows you to empty your mind of cumbersome thoughts and thus focus on the essentials. This list can also be a planning form that allows you to know everything you can achieve, depending on the working hours you use. Remember to be proactive so you don’t have to handle everything at the last moment. Along the same lines, there is also the ” Getting Things Done ” model by American David Allen, which brings together the to-do list and the aforementioned planning.
3. Create a comfortable and motivating workspace that helps you work more efficiently
If you work from home, dedicate a room or table just for work. Everyone can create their own workspace, both in the office and at home, depending on their personality. Of course, try to accumulate few unnecessary things on your desk so as not to overload your free mind.
Remember to have water nearby to hydrate yourself regularly, whether it is hot, with teas or infusions, or cold.
It’s also helpful to have a notepad and pen to jot down ideas or directly on your computer equivalent. Also consider choosing digital tools that help you organize like Trello, Google Calendar or Asana.
4. Focus on a task for a limited time with the Pomodoro method
This method of time management, invented by the Italian Francesco Cirillo in the 80s, consists of working for limited periods (usually 25 minutes) without getting distracted, so ideally without touching your mobile or playing with your pet, you know. Between those work periods, you have to take 5-minute breaks before continuing and so on for 2 hours, for example. It is especially useful for those who have trouble concentrating for several hours at a time.
5. You can say “no” if you have to.
Knowing how to say “no” is not easy for everyone, but sometimes it is essential and very practical. In our society, we are faced with all kinds of demands, both in our professional and personal lives, and it is difficult to respond positively to all of them. It doesn’t matter if you say “yes” to something, and realizing that it prevents you from completing a task for your job, you correct yourself and then say “no.” If you explain why and do it kindly, your interlocutor will, in principle, be understanding. So don’t be afraid!
6. Learn to delegate
There are times when you wish you could say no to work, as we mentioned before; however, this is not possible because the task at hand must be accomplished at all costs. If it overwhelms you, how should you act? Don’t hesitate to delegate the task you don’t have time to complete to a more available colleague at the time. And let him or her know that he or she can do the same with you if necessary. By delegating you will save valuable time and can focus on your priorities.