If you’ve been selected to hold a position in management, it’s assumed that you already have what it takes to lead a team, to complete projects and meet deadlines, and do so in an overall efficient manner.
But it’s just not always that easy.
On the perfect day, with all team members present and active and working to their full potential, without unnecessary interruptions, anything can be accomplished!
But in the real world, there are inevitably delays, mishaps, and things that simply don’t go as planned.
In ant article at Radio INK magazine, corporate coach Paul Anovick offers a series of tips to help managers get more done in less time, and a few of them are really excellent.
Out of the seven time management tips, here are a few that you should definitely pay attention to.
Eliminate distractions.
This one is obvious. But what counts as a distraction may not be.
While your email may be the primary way that customers and clients contact you about services, it’s important that you check messages only at designated times.
While the countless reminder tools out there are great in their ability to check everyconceivable inbox and social media account once every five minutes, you will find yourself fighting a never-ending battle if you try to respond to each message as it is received.
Choose a few key times per day in which you’ll have the time and focus to handle the messages properly, and encourage your team members to keep messages brief and to-the-point.
Eliminate items from your “to do list.”
As Anovick points out, this doesn’t mean just crossing things as they are done, but simply deciding not to do them altogether.
While this isn’t always an option, it’s important to remember that you have the power to change your mind or delegate work to others. The to-do list is not set in stone.
Call a meeting with yourself.
It’s often easy to spot an employee thinking of leaving or a team member needing some one-on-one advice, so it only makes sense that you should prioritize time to regroup when needed.
Re-examine your priorities, look at the big picture, and give yourself a short break that will give you the energy to move forward.