Lesson 4: Tactical Time Management Techniques

Tactical Time Management Techniques

Time management is a popular topic, and books have been written about it.

Time management techniques are like diets - the best ones are the ones you can actually use.

Once you have used the Work Audit and the Eisenhower matrix, to ensure that you are taking on only the tasks you should be taking on, here are some of the known best practices you can use to actually do the work:

Time Blocking

Allocate specific blocks of time for focused work. Research shows that time blocking can significantly increase productivity and reduce task-switching costs. I like to allocate a block of time early in the morning, because that is when I am most creative.

Energy Cycles

It is important to manage your energy throughout the day, aligning high-energy tasks with their peak performance periods. Research shows that energy, not time, is the key to high performance.

Renewal Breaks

Take strategic breaks to recharge. Burnout diminishes productivity and decision-making ability. Leaders should encourage renewal for themselves and their teams.

Environment

Your environment can have an impact on your ability to focus. I find it helpful to reduce clutter and separate my environment by function - e.g. my creative space is physically separate from my working space and I don't mix the two.

Physical and Mental Health

Exercise, sleep, and mindfulness practices can dramatically improve energy management and resilience, allowing leaders to perform at their best consistently. Are you doing your non-negotiables? This is why they are here.

Time Management Assessment

You can use this assessment on a regular basis to check whether your time management skills are on point, or whether there are things you need to improve.

You can also use it to extract survey questions for others around you, to get some specific feedback on how you are showing up as a leader.