Sometimes it seems that there isn’t a week that goes by that there isn’t some sort of device being launched that in some way is supposed to make our lives easier and yet despite that many people still remain incredibly poor at managing their time at home or at work.

Part of the reason for this is that many people remain incredibly stubborn about managing their time, believing that there’s nothing they can do about it. This is never true. There are many steps that you can take to improve your time management.

Listed below are a number of strategies you could use at work, though some of them may apply at home as well. It’s important that you find what works for you, so pick out issues that resonate for you and start taking some action to make poor time management a thing of the past.

1. Treat time as a resource that needs to be managed: If you think of time in this way it will help you to remember how precious your time is and to be organised.

2. Value your time: Don’t allow yourself to waste time gossiping or doing tasks that don’t matter. Time is short – so value the time that you have.

3. Plan ahead: Some people have a real dislike of action plans or schedules. However, with no plan for your day, week, month you will find that you waste a lot of time. Remember time is a precious resource ...

4. Use your time to get results not just fulfil duties: Make sure that you have a clear idea what you are working towards. A lot of time is wasted by lack of planning. Most people work in a results driven environment so keep that in mind.

5. Ask yourself "what is the best use of my time now?" questions: However, much you plan – normal working life means things will come up unexpected – so always question what is the best use of your time.

6. Identify and ditch your time robbers: Do you have people who are constantly distracting you? Do you waste time in meetings that go on too long? Do you do tasks that aren’t really a priority? Just think of all the things that actually rob you of time that you could be using more effectively.

7. Have a regular time slot for routine tasks: Whatever your job you will always have a certain amount of routine tasks that you have to complete. Bunch things together and allocate a regular time to complete them.

8. Identify bottlenecks and eliminate them: If you find that you are struggling with your time because of someone else’s actions talk to them about the impact on you. People don’t always realise. Bottlenecks won’t always be people they may be processes – but it’s still important to tackle the issue and see what can be changed to help you manage your time better.

9. Keep an organised work space: It goes without saying that keep your space neat and tidy, will help you to work more efficiently. If you work in a mess you will waste time looking for things. Don’t kid yourself that you work in an ‘organised mess’ – no you don’t!

10. Take regular breaks: Skipping lunch breaks, working at your desk for 8 hrs at a time is not an efficient way of working. Your brain and your body needs exercise and fresh air. Take regular breaks you will work much better if you do.

Summary

These are just a few strategies for managing your time. There are many more. However much you may make excuses for not being able to manage your time efficiently – that’s all they are excuses.