“I just don’t have enough time.” That is a challenge that my clients consistently struggle with and something that I am used to hearing as a professional coach. People come to me with a goal and are enthusiastic about taking that next step in their careers… until the next hurdle presents itself: struggling to find time to dedicate to their professional growth.
What makes some professionals more effective at getting things done? I believe a key factor in career evolution lies in the answer to this question. I decided to conduct my own empirical research and interviewed several of the most organized, Type A individuals I know. My findings confirmed what I had long suspected about time management.
The prevailing message is the need to prioritize. Every good time manger asks himself or herself: “What is important to me and my organization? What do I need to execute to achieve this specific goal?” They focus their energy on what is going to make a difference. Then, they plan.
Planning your time means creating a habit of looking ahead in order to maximize time.
Each time management expert relies on one method to organize his/her commitments (e.g. computer and phone apps for creating task lists, reminders, and appointments). Once this pattern is established, the expert routinely reviews what’s coming up the next day/week/month ahead to ensure preparation well in advance. Experts “block” immovable slots for professional, as well as personal, obligations and set realistic deadlines. Keeping your priorities clearly defined and not rescheduling or shifting things around helps you stay focused and more in control of your time.
Good time managers delegate.
Another secret to good time management is delegation. Experts entrust those who work with them and rely on the “Division of Labor” to operate in a highly organized and efficient manner. They have a “big picture” and “results-oriented” view, so they leverage different resources to achieve results faster.
Don’t sweat the small stuff.
The final pearl of wisdom imparted to me by this panel of time management gurus was the proverbial saying, “Don’t sweat the small stuff!” Think about how much energy you invest in making a decision and what the benefit is. Being a fast decision maker is an important qualifier for being more effective.
Once adopted, working smarter with the right habits enhances productivity. As clients begin to set clear priorities, plan their time in advance, and focus on the execution of high impact tasks, efficiency is increased and they achieve more. All that’s required is a healthy dose of discipline.
Leticia Hartmann is a Certified Executive Coach and Founder at Exploritat.