5 Time Management Mistakes You’re Making Without Even Realizing It
If you don’t feel like you have enough hours in the day, you’re not alone. Even when people begin to use productivity methods, they may feel like they’re not getting enough done. Time management is something we all strive for, but often struggle with. Here are 5 time management mistakes you’re making without even realizing it.
Email Errors
Email is one of the biggest ways that we can manage our time less efficiently. Of course, email is supposed to make us more efficient. Yet, The Huffington Post reported on a survey that says most people spend more than six hours of their work day using their email.
To regain some of the time lost to your inbox:
- Turn off new email notifications. Email is meant to be a tool to help us, not hold us hostage. How fast do you click to see a new email that came in? Turning off new email notifications from your phone and your computer can help you stay focused.
- Pick up the phone. If you have a quick question or need a quick response, pick up the phone and call the other person. You’ll likely get your answer faster. If they’re in the same building as you, stop by their desk.
- Pick three times a day to check your email and only check and respond to emails during that time. Believe us, if it is that important, they will pick up the phone and call you. You can even let people know that you are only going to check your email a few times each day. You’ll get more done while you’re at work by implementing this one tip.
Multitasking Mayhem
For a while, multitasking was taught in school and in business as the way to get more done in less time. Turns out, that line of thinking is wrong. You don’t get more done in less time. You get less done and it is usually rushed. If you really want to turn out the best products for the time you invest, focus only on one project during that specific amount of time.
We understand that you may have multiple demands for your attention. For time management purposes, you would designate a certain amount of time each day or week to each individual project. To determine how much time you would spend, you would take your deadlines into consideration.
Social Media Showboating
One of the most common excuses used by people who don’t meet their deadlines is that they just didn’t have enough time. On average, people waste 759 hours each year on social media when they are supposed to be working. When we divide that by 50 weeks in a year (assuming you take two weeks of vacation each year), that means more than 15 hours each week are spent on social media when it is time to work.
To reclaim your time to work you can:
- Turn off notifications from Facebook, Twitter, and other social media accounts. The replies and your friends’ statuses will all be there when you do have time to check it. Do not allow text notifications, browser notifications, or push notifications. Just turn it all off.
- Turn off your ringer. Don’t just put it on vibrate. Also, turn your phone over so you can’t see the screen. Even better, put your phone in a drawer. There are programs that you can install on your computer to block social media sites if you simply cannot stay off of them during the day.
- Develop self-discipline. It can be hard to stay off social media. We’re all accustomed to being constantly connected to others. Yet, all that digital togetherness takes us away from spending time on our goals and projects. Set specific times during the day that you will check your social media.
Not Planning Your Day
When we start businesses, it is often with the dream of being able to work the schedule that we want, when we want. Yet, if you don’t take the time to plan your day and review your priorities, deadlines will sneak up on you. Planning your day (and then working your plan) can help you stay focused and get more done.
Focusing on the Wrong Project
If you want to get more done, you have to focus on the right project. If you want to feel more productive, do the hardest thing first. Then, no matter how much you do (or don’t) get done for the rest of the day, you’ll feel accomplished. You’ll also feel empowered to keep working on other projects.
Make More Time for Your Clients
If you’re choosing between serving your clients and handling the administrative aspects of your business, Clients ARM can help. With more than 30 years of experience, Clients ARM provides U.S. based remote specialized services to help business owners get more done. To learn how Clients ARM can help you spend more time with your clients, schedule your free review now
