Time management is a classic topic in management training courses, but not often included in HR training.
I think it’s key – our roles are busy, complex and challenging and require many different skills. Let’s talk about time management here.
My best recommendation on books on this topic is “Make Time – How to Focus on What Matters Every Day” by Jake Knapp and John Zeratsky. Others titles are available but this one looks great, is really accessible and works!
These are my top time management tips (with due credit to the above book):
1. Plan
2. Put the plan in your calendar
3. Stick to the plan
4. Review the plan at the end of each week and update
5. Keep planning
6. Decide on today’s highlights – no more than three
7. Block the highlights in your diary for one hour each
8. Stop distractions – phone and notifications off, email off and focus you will be amazed what you can achieve in one focused hour
9. Get the work done
10. Don’t always be available – calls and emails can wait (usually) sit in your car if you have to but don’t let others distract you
11. Work out your most productive time of day and don’t waste it on admin. Admin can be done in the sludgy, tricky, grumpy bit of the day (whatever that is for you)
12. Review the above each month and find out what works for you. Then write it down and do it!
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