New York Times writer Julie Morgenstern offers tips on how to declutter your work life.
Morgenstern provides the following advice on time management:
1. Consider the time a task will take.
Conduct a fair estimate of the time it takes to complete any one task. Having too many items on a to-do list can make one feel overwhelmed. Many individuals underestimate the time it will take to do any one task, throwing off the remainder of the day’s activities and leaving little room for other tasks.
2. Group similar tasks together.
Individuals can sustain balance and save a great deal of time by grouping similar tasks. For example, those who do their best work in the morning should spend the morning on tasks that are more challenging, performing less demanding tasks in the afternoon when their energy is lower.
3. Create a daily or weekly time log.
Organizing the day helps ensure balance in life. Keeping a solid daily record of what is being done helps manage time and increase efficiency. It is not as important how one keeps track of the time, but rather that the time is actually tracked.
4. Control interruptions.
It is easy to get distracted by e-mail or take too many coffee breaks. Many people waste time with administrative tasks rather than focusing on work that helps the bottom line. The key is to communicate with team and family members when you need to focus, and set realistic expectations.
5. Look at ways to reduce workload and practice the "Four D’s."
It is easy to undertake more work than can be handled. Take a hard look at all the tasks, and practice the Four D’s: delete, delay, diminish and delegate.
When looking at an item in the workload, ask if this is something that must be done, if it can be delayed, if there is a faster way to complete it, or if someone else can complete it.
Morgenstern’s seminar is available at http://www.officeliveseminars.com.
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