Providing a little help, structure and training for personal time management will help empower employees to meet the demands of the modern workplace. Managers should pay attention to how work is getting done and help employees learn to manage their time. Here are a few simple tips on teaching employees time management.
Tracking time
The first step to effective time management is to track daily activities. This allows your employee to form an accurate picture of how much time each daily task takes. One of the primary reasons that many people may think they don’t have enough time for everything is that they misjudge how much time they spend on daily task. To know how to be more productive, first they need to know exactly how they are spending the minutes and hours of the day.
Time tracking training tip:
Break the day into 15-minute intervals, and have the employee write down each task they work on throughout the day. Let them know to go about their day and activities as normal, and simply write down what time they change tasks and start something new. It requires the meticulous tracking of the minutes and hours throughout the day over the course of a couple weeks to get an accurate picture of daily activities.
Daily planning
Writing down what needs to get done before leaving the office at the end of the day is a great way to avoid ineffective mornings. Encourage employees to make a weekly plan and a daily plan. Some people like using a tech-based solution for to-do list, but an easy way to keep a schedule is to use a pen and paper, and organizing your time using a weekly planner.
Tasks list training tips:
Have employees make a list of all their assignments, meetings, and tasks that need to be completed at the end of the day. Organizing phone calls and meetings by time, and then fill the free hours with the day’s assignments in order of priority. Make sure the list feels attainable. No one wants a 30-item to-do list and at the end of the day have 20 items that didn’t get done.
Establish routines
For most people, creating and following a routine lets them get right down to the tasks of the day rather than frittering away time getting started. Blocking time off for specific activities, and sticking to the plan will help keep priorities straight, and increase productivity. Some people are at their best in the morning, and some do their best work later in the day. Identify when it’s easier and, then set task for that time.
Avoid multitasking
Teach your employees that while it may seem that multitasking helps get more done, the research shows otherwise. It’s well known that multitasking is horrible for productivity. Engaging in a single-task with focused attention creates higher-quality results. Also, giving each task individual time allows your employee to log it accurately. This allows them to learn to block off time to check off to-dos and get them all completed.
It’s a manager’s responsibility is to ensure the employee knows what is expected of them, has the training and resources to perform their job. A better, more mindful approach to time management helps your employees keep priorities straight, and increase your company’s productivity.