Time is the great limiter—we could all use more of it, but we only have so much. If you find yourself overwhelmed by the demands of your business and personal life, try these tips for making more efficient use of your time.
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- Rise early – If you just can’t get it all done in your standard work hours, try getting into work one hour early when the office is quiet. Write your early morning to-do list down in advance and start tackling it in that productive hour before the day’s interruptions start.
- Prioritize – Having a thousand jobs spinning around in your head is frustrating and overwhelming. You might shuttle from one task to the next in a frenzy without actually getting anything done. Rarely can you meet all of your obligations in just one day. Stand back and prioritize your list. Tackle the most important things first, then proceed to the next tasks.
- Learn to delegate – You may be holding too many positions or responsibilities at work, but you cannot be in more than one place at a time. Instead of trying to do everything, outsource or hire the best employees and share some of your responsibilities with them. Always make sure that your instructions are clear and that you ask employees to report back at a certain date so that you can keep tabs on their progress.
- Master the art of short meetings – Time should not be wasted on long and unnecessary discussions. When you call for a meeting, be direct and specific. Keep conversations on task, and end meetings on time.
No one can do everything, but you can do a lot more than you think with less stress when you rely on smart time-saving strategies. Start now. Don’t wait for just the right time. Starting is half the battle.
