Other Time Management Tips, time management in technical training centre’s Chapter 2 Review of the Related Literature Page 12

Other Time Management TipsWhen you're faced with a pile of things to do, go through them quickly and make a list of what needs doing and when. After this handle each piece of paper only once. Do not under any circumstances pick up a job, do a bit of it, and then put it back on the pile. Do not start lots of jobs at the same time.Be absolutely firm in dealing with time allocated for meetings, paperwork, telephone, and visitors. When you keep your time log you will see how much time is wasted. Take control. If you keep a weekly activity schedule you will be able to control the time allocated for your tasks. Review your work environment, layout, IT equipment, etc, and set it up for efficiency. Tidy up your work-space and keep all paperwork filed away unless you're working on it. Keep a clean desk and well-organized systems, but don't be obsessive, or spend all week adjusting the settings of your screen-saver.If you can't stop interruptions then go elsewhere when you need time alone. Fight for your right to work uninterrupted when you need to.

Review all the regular reports you write and receive for usefulness, and make or recommend changes. Set up an acceptable template for the regular weekly or monthly reports you write, so you only need to slot in the updated figures and narrative, each time. Why re-invent the wheel?Sharpen up your decision-making. If you can't decide, then decide how to, (e.g. consult, get more information, delegate, etc), but don't just let it sit there. Remember 'JFDI' (see the acronyms archive).sLearn to say 'No', politely, and constructively. Don't make a rod for your own back. Be careful about accepting sideways delegation by your peers to you. If you find it difficult to say 'No' you'll find it easier by using business reasons to justify your position, e.g., "I understand this is urgent for you, but I have other priorities which I must deal with first for the good of the business - I'd rather agree a realistic deadline with you than one which I can't meet." And show people your schedule, which justifies and proves how you priorities and manage your time. (Belitz, C., & Lundstrom, M. 1997)Always probe deadlines to establish the true situation - people asking you to do things will often say 'now' when 'later today' would be perfectly acceptable. Appeal to the other person's own sense of time management: it's impossible for anyone to do a good job without the opportunity to plan and priorities.