What are some of the most common mistakes that you make when trying to improve and manage your time? Here are some examples of how we can make the same mistakes over and over again.
1. Taking on too much.
At some point you may be taking on too much. This can cause a lot of stress and decrease your effectiveness. Don’t overdo it. Learn to say no. Set boundaries and limits. Ask for help if you require some assistance with a project.
2. Being busy instead of effective.
One way to keep on track and your attention on what’s important is to ask yourself this question a few times a day “Is this useful?”. If you find that what you’re doing is not useful then you move on to something that is.
3. Becoming distracted.
Checking emails constantly throughout the day can be an interruption to the tasks at hand and you may lose momentum and focus. Maybe check them every 30 minutes or set a time for once in the morning and once in the afternoon. Doing too many things at one time might not be effective when it comes to completing your work.
4. Not taking a break.
I know we all hope that working through our lunch break will produce more results, but studies have shown the opposite. A lunch break, even a short one, gives us a chance to recharge our batteries so that we can handle all challenges more effectively and this can help make a positive difference in our personal productivity.
What are some of the time management mistakes you have encountered in your career?
by Carole Marinier, blogger for Agilec