Whether you run a company, are employed, or are a student, proper time management is essential for all tasks that need to be completed. But what can you do to increase your productivity? Below, we'll give you eight tips to help you work more productively.
This is how good time management works
The average CEO works 300 days a year, 14 hours a day. That sounds like a lot of time, but for most, it's still not enough. Good time management is essential, as studies show that a full 70% of working time is misused or even completely wasted. For example, through emails or unnecessary meetings. That's why we'll show you how good time management works and how you can become even more productive:
1. Learn to say "no"
Saying "no" is very difficult for most people. However, the more a company, group, or organization grows, the more requests and requests you'll receive. Be it invitations to meetings or simply a small favor for a colleague. But instead of accepting everything and taking on too much, be honest with yourself and ask yourself if these requests really fit into your schedule. If not, explain it to the customer or colleague in a friendly manner. They'll understand.
2. How to handle emails correctly
You receive numerous emails and messages throughout the day and can quickly disrupt your concentration. Therefore, it is good to have a strategy for dealing with emails effectively. Responding to every email immediately is not recommended. It is more efficient to check emails two or three times a day and then take the time to reply or process them. Many CEOs, for example, process their emails every morning and evening and take 60 minutes to do so. Another method is to divide your emails into emails that can be answered in under a minute and emails that take longer to respond to. Answer the first one immediately and postpone the last one to a time slot that suits you better. David Brier, CEO of DBD International, takes a similar approach, but still recommends deleting emails that haven't been processed after a self-defined period of time to prevent your inbox from overflowing one day. Email tools like Boomerang for GMail can also help you structure your emails.
3. Distribute your energy well
What's your daily routine? Are you most effective in the morning or in the evening? Divide your time accordingly. Schedule appointments specifically so that you can concentrate during these times. This varies from individual to individual, so figure out when your energy reserves are full and when they are empty. To replenish your energy, take breaks, get some fresh air, exercise, or a coffee. This will help you maintain your focus throughout the rest of the day.
4. Write a guide
Startups in particular don't document the foundations of their work, or don't do so in detail. However, you should write down and document everything you do more than three times. This makes it easier to transfer work and saves you a lot of time searching for important facts.
5. Meetings: Less is more
Startups, in particular, tend to call a lot of meetings. Too many, because most of them are unnecessary. A meeting should only be called when a decision really needs to be discussed and made. Furthermore, an agenda should be set for each meeting.
6. Working in sessions
If you have several tasks to complete throughout the day, it makes sense to divide your workday into individual sessions or blocks. These can consist of 60 to 120 minutes, followed by a short break. During this time, try to focus on one thing and avoid distractions. This way, you'll reach your goal step by step (see also the Pomodoro method).
7. Set priorities
Set priorities in your work. What's important and needs to be done immediately, and what's unimportant and can be postponed? Make a checklist and work through your to-dos according to priority.
8. Healthy diet
To work productively, a healthy and balanced diet is especially important. Your brain needs important nutrients and vitamins to perform at its best. But maintaining a healthy diet isn't always easy, especially in the professional world. If you can't manage that, you can use nutritional supplements like BRAINEFFECT. FOCUS contains vitamin B5 for mental alertness and B12, which contributes to the normal function of the nervous system.
Haven't had enough of productivity? In a podcast interview with Tim Jaudzsims, founder of Change Journal, entrepreneur, and business angel, we show you how to make 2018 your year! Become more productive to achieve your goals, achieve the can-do mindset, and step out of your comfort zone. Because growth only happens outside of your comfort zone.
Episode 7 | Growth only happens outside your comfort zone
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