In this article, we'll identify the most common things that cause time waste and negatively affect efficiency, as well as some simple tips and tricks for improving time management and productivity.
How to improve your time management
If you want to improve your time management, you need to set goals for what you want to achieve within a specified period of time, and prioritize tasks that require more attention.
A lot of things happen during the day that can take your focus off work. It might be simple things like phone calls and emails, answering colleagues’ questions, or even thinking long about tasks, but they all add up and ultimately cause a waste of time.
If you work in a noisy office, or don't have the equipment to do your job efficiently, it could mean that the work environment itself is distracting you, or your productivity may be reduced because key parts of your day require time like commuting to and from meetings.
But whether the time wasted is the result of procrastination, external factors, or distractions at work, it is important to identify its causes first in order to be able to increase productivity.
How do you determine the reasons for wasting time?
In time management you have to know the reasons that determine the reasons for wasting time.
1. Start by making notes about the amount of time you spend completing individual tasks. Recording the number of hours you spend completing your daily tasks is an extremely important step in making sure that you are making the most of the time you have.
2. Try to create a timeline or daily log, using online tools, such as a spreadsheet, or the traditional way by jotting on a notebook. The key to success here is to write down every detail i.e. every task, distraction, call or break.
Ideally, you should aim to collect this information over an extended period of time (such as a week or two) to get an accurate view of how you are using your time.
3. Check all the distractions you've identified, and then think about how to reduce them. Online productivity tools like Asana, Basecamp, and Google Keep can help you create digital to-do lists to manage your tasks and plan your day.
Some of these tools even let you delegate tasks to others, or send you a reminder when deadlines approach.
Many of these tools are available for free, and some offer free versions for small teams.
4. It is important to remain realistic, as trying to complete too much can reduce your productivity and cause you frustration, so start creating a list of priority tasks, either on paper or using one of the online tools we mentioned.
That would be a powerful incentive to get things done.
Tips to increase your daily productivity
Here are the top 5 tips you can apply to your daily regimen to help you increase your daily productivity:
1. Don't let your focus get distracted during meetings: Make sure to avoid unnecessary meetings that don't require your presence or don't help you.
2. Your time is valuable: invest it smartly. If you schedule meetings, share clear expectations with colleagues, prepare all reference materials in advance, and start and finish meetings on time.
3. Create daily to-do lists: Try to get into the habit of making a priority list of all the tasks you have to accomplish each day. Sitting at a desk all day can seem productive, but if you stop for 5-10 minutes whenever you feel tired, this will boost your focus, especially if you do some muscle-relaxing exercises or take a short walk in the office.
4. Get rid of everything that may distract you from work: Be clear to others that you prefer not to be interrupted, or move to a different place in the office to stay away from sources of distraction.
5. Get enough sleep: Lack of sleep can affect the way you work, so try to get a comfortable amount of sleep at night to make you ready for the next day.
Summary
Being more productive doesn't necessarily mean that your daily distractions will all disappear.
You'll still have to answer emails, answer questions, and attend meetings, but you need to be able to work at your highest level of productivity between distraction and more.
Working to improve your time management can be beneficial both personally and professionally. From reducing stress and reducing errors to increasing your productivity.
Think about what causes you to waste time in the day, and think about steps you can take to reduce it.