By Sunny Simon
The Monday morning alarm sounds. You groan wishing you could hit the snooze button a few hundred times, remain safely tucked away in your bedroom and escape the stress of yet another workweek. You really don’t hate your job so why does the thought of reporting to work have you pounding your pillow in frustration? Is it possible your stress level is soaring due to poor time management skills?
We all have one thing in common that levels the playing field. Whether you are the CEO or the front desk receptionist, the number of hours in a day remains constant. So how do we conquer the clock? Becoming a master at time management takes practice.
Start by utilizing the four P’s. Begin by planning. You will feel more control over your workday if you do some planning the night before. Create your “to do” list using whatever technological tool or master planning device you find user friendly. Pay attention to your body clock as you plan. When is the best time for you to work on complex projects? Save mindless routine work for your low energy periods.
Next, prioritize. Separate what is urgent from mundane tasks that can wait. Schedule the critical tasks during blocks of time when you can minimize interruptions.
The third “P” is practice the 10-minute rule. Experts at the Mayo Clinic suggest working on the most dreaded task as least 10 minutes each day. The philosophy behind this is once you get started you may decide to forge ahead and complete the task. Remind yourself of the satisfaction of getting the job done.
Prevent unnecessary interruptions. That’s the forth “P.” It is counterproductive to be a slave to each ring of the phone or beep of incoming mail. Your daily plan should include a time to return phone calls or attend to emails. Block out other distractions such as social media.
One more tip and this may sound counterintuitive, but get in the habit of taking more time-outs. Productivity breaks down after long stretches of concentration. Stepping away from your work area to grab a cup of coffee, or take a brief walk around the building or a short stroll outdoors has multiple benefits. Obviously, a break relaxes you, but the brain also needs and loves novelty. Do you know that even taking a different route home can light up new brain circuitry? The payoff is upon returning to your work area refreshed, you will have increased energy and focus.
