Time Management Tips

Tips to Stay on Top of Your Workload 

1. Set definitive goals. Set strict accomplishments that you must meet in a specific period. Don’t flip from task to task, hoping to get them all done by the end of the day. Go after one task first, complete it, then move on to the next one. Remember: multitasking is a death knell for productivity. 

2. Block out a schedule for your week. Break each day and an hour down into time slots aimed at accomplishing specific tasks. Break each goal down into a step-by-step process, giving each step a specific block of time. Be stern with your schedule and make sure you don’t underestimate your time.  

3. Delegate. If you have a team under you delegation is a must. When planning your schedule, identify tasks that can be done by subordinates and what work you must do personally. Don’t be afraid to trust your employees. You hired them for a reason.  

4. Take regular, scheduled breaks. The best way to get burnt out is by working yourself silly. You need to give your mind a break (even a few minutes) to recuperate before you jump back into action. Make sure you are putting breaks into your pre-planned schedule then taking them.  

5. Take advantage of extra time. Let’s say the meeting that was supposed to be an hour only lasted 45 minutes. What do you do with your extra time? Go on Facebook? Chat with a coworker? No! Instead, use that time to prepare for your next task. If you are prepared your day will feel less chaotic and you will have more breathing room to accomplish your goals.  

6. Every task should have a clear goal. Make sure you are only scheduling meetings or projects if they have one clear outcome. Don’t waste your time with blind starts as you will run into brick walls all too easily.  

7. Use productivity tools. There are dozens of different electronic tools aimed at making it easier to organize your work schedule. Find one that works for you and then use it to better plan out your time and stay organized.  

8. Remove distractions. Get rid of unnecessary side projects, phones, open browsers, or other things that sap your attention. Give the task at hand 100% of your attention.  

9. Don’t be afraid to say no. If your plate is already full, don’t take on extra responsibilities. Most people have the urge to help others and because of this, saying no can be hard. But you owe it to yourself to keep your responsibilities to a reasonable number.  

10. Don’t watch the clock. If you keep checking the clock to make sure you are on schedule, you are only wasting time. Instead, use your time to remain fully focused on one task. It’s not the end of the world if you fall a little behind.  

11. Evaluate your time. Write reports for yourself at the end of the week. Be honest with yourself about what you could have done better, what you did well, and what you failed at. Don’t be afraid of asking your colleagues or employees for feedback either. The only way to get better is through constructive criticism.  

Take Back Your Workday 

While these tips were written with marketing managers in mind, they apply to just about every job. No matter what you want to accomplish, it is always best to plan your goals out, then give them your unbroken attention.  

The feeling of accomplishment is well worth any struggles you have while completing a project. Because marketing managers have so much to accomplish, it can often be hard to revel in your victories. Take time, even a few seconds, after you have completed a project to allow yourself to feel a sense of accomplishment. You will be able to carry this pride over into your next project and it will protect you from feeling mentally drained.