Seven Tips: On How To Manage A Busy Schedule

DIVIDE LARGE TASKS INTO SMALLER ONES

If a project could take hours, days, weeks or longer to complete, you can try dividing up the project’s steps. Doing this can help you enjoy a series of small accomplishments and slowly work toward the primary goal.

PRIORITISE

Prioritising your work can help you complete the most critical tasks first, which may help relieve feelings of stress or uncertainty. There are many ways to prioritise tasks, such as by nearest deadlines, the importance of the client, personal importance to you and special requests by management.

MONITOR YOUR TIME

Monitoring the amount of time it takes for you to complete each task can help you more easily understand the areas of your schedule that need attention. You can keep a written log or use a time tracking application to monitor how much time you spend doing different things.

PLAN YOUR MEETINGS STRATEGICALLY

There are strategies to reduce the amount of time you spend in meetings while still ensuring that you achieve your meeting goals. You can consider whether the topic requires an in-person meeting or if you can arrange a virtual or phone conversation to eliminate commute time.

SET ACHIEVABLE PERFORMANCE EXPECTATIONS

If you have a busy schedule, it may be helpful to set achievable, realistic expectations. Sometimes, trying to complete too many tasks or complete everything perfectly can result in delays. When preparing your schedule, try to be as honest and realistic as you can about your capabilities.

DELEGATE OR OUTSOURCE SOME OF YOUR TASKS

In some cases, you can find another person who can do part or all of some of your tasks to help you focus on other responsibilities. Depending on your position, you may be able to identify who can take on some of your responsibilities and assign the tasks to them.

ACCEPT THE AMOUNT OF WORK YOU CAN REALISTICALLY HANDLE

You may feel pressure to accept more work than you can realistically complete. This could happen when if you want to impress managers in a new position or if you’re being considered for a promotion. Taking on more work than you can realistically complete can sometimes lead to a decrease in overall performance.