Time Management Tips - Effective Time Management Techniques For Leaders

Effective time management tips for leaders . . . that is what I am about to share with you. And believe me, you won't find these time management techniques anywhere else on the net.

Why?

Because this site is about reality. I call it relevant reality . . . radical leadership management.

What makes these time management tips different from what you have read before?

Simply put . . . it deals with time management from the perspective that most writers have not approached the subject. It looks at time management from the perspective of the customer . . . whoever that customer may be.

The rational is simple and straightforward.

The customer is king, right?

If that is true, and your business goal is to satisfy the customer, then it makes perfect sense to see time management from the perspective of the customer. The good thing with this approach is that when you get it right with your customer, you get it right.

Enough talk.

Let's get down to who your customers are and the time management techniques (or time management tips) you need to practice to win with your customers.

Your Customers

You have four key customers:

1. Your organization - your boss, your colleagues, and the internal customers within your organization

2. Your external customers (if your work requires you to deal with external customers)

3. Your family - your wife and your kids

4. Yourself - you. Your sense of fulfillment

Understand this.

No matter how hard you work, if your time management efforts does not take into consideration the demands or requirements of your boss, you're likely to be branded as not managing time effectively.

The same goes with your customers . . . your internal and external customers. And the same goes with your family.

Hear this.

If your time management skills is so good that you're branded a superstar in the office but your wife and kids think you're too devoted to your work - so devoted that you have no time for them - you will still fail . . . eventually.

The same goes with yourself.

Studies show that over 70% of people are not completely satisfied with their jobs. They yearn for something different . . . something they've always dreamed about . . . something that keeps them awake at night, something they are passionate about.

I call it . . . pet project.

I am 99% sure you have a pet project . . . something very dear to your heart, something you wish you could spend more time doing. In this case, you are your own customer.

You are good at time management if you satisfy all the customers listed above. Any time management tips that does not address all of the areas discussed above is missing something.

Okay, let's get down to the effective time management techniques.

The Time Management Techniques

Below are nine simple but effective time management tips.

1. Set goals

Set SMART goals for yourself. Set goals that are . . .

Specific

Measurable

Achievable

Realistic

Time bound

Set SMART targets for each day and stick to your goals

2. Prioritize Activities

Rank what is to be done in terms of urgency and importance.

3. Change Your Priorities When Your Boss Gives You An Assignment

Assignments from your boss should take first place. Why?

It's pretty simple.

Your boss will write your performance appraisal. If you deliver his assignments on time, he will find it difficult to rate you as not delivering on schedule.

So, every time you have a deadline to meet with your boss, change your priorities and place his assignments first. Rate all job related boss assignments as urgent and important.

4. Give Your Family Quality Time

No matter how hard pressed you are, DO NOT take your job home.

When you're home, be home. Spend quality time with your family . . . that is effective time management in action.

Why family?

I guess the reason is obvious. If you still don't know, let me spell it out to you.

Your family is all that will be left when the job is over.

No matter how good you are, someday your company won't need your services anymore. At that point what will be left is your family. If you didn't have time for them when you were young and vibrant, they won't have time for you when you're old and spent.

When on their death beds, the very best of executives wish they had spent more time with their family. Don't let that be your story.

5. Have Time For Your Pet Project

What is your pet project? What is that thing that is very dear to your heart?

Devote some time to it. It will be a healthy release from the stress of making a living. Trust me on this.

6. Be The Time Keeper For Meetings You Attend

Meetings can easily get off-topic and eat up valuable time. So, when you are part of a meeting, ensure the meeting stays on-topic and on schedule.

Long meetings can be real time wasters. So, make meetings as short as possible.

Time Management Techniques #7:

Small Talk - How Much Time?

Engaging in 'small talk' or discussions completely unrelated with your job is a constant temptation. You will be amazed at how much time you actually lose to small talk daily if you could time yourself.

To effectively manage your business time, you need to watch your desire for small talk and control yourself.

Time Management Tips #8 - On The Job Visitors

How many unofficial visitors do you receive per day?

Visitors can be a big distraction especially unofficial visitors. So, minimize the number of people who visit you in the office. If you're like me, you will advice friends and family to visit you at home.

The office is for official business.

Time Management Tips #9 - Delegate Non-Sensitive Tasks To Subordinates

Delegation is a powerful tool. Managers who master the art of effective delegation accomplish more per unit time. Delegating some tasks to subordinates frees up more time for you to deal with core and sensitive responsibilities. And thus, manage your time better.

Don't miss opportunities to delegate. It's a huge time saver.

Time Management Tips #10 - Be Balanced

Work is great. Family is wonderful. Entertainment relieves stress. Exercise makes you fit.

One thing that is common to all of the above is . . . time. They are all activities that consume time.

Your goal?

Be balanced. Allocate time appropriately to all of these activities. And stay focused.

Final piece of advice from me . . .

Never lose your guard. And never trade your family for your job.

Take these time management tips seriously. Manage time effectively . . . even within your family

Share Time Management Tips

Know Something about time management?

Share your knowledge and experience.

Have you found a particular time management strategy useful?

Please share your story.

Use the simple form below.

NOTE:

1. The message you post here MUST be original and in your own words.

2. Your contribution should be at least 400 words otherwise it will be deleted.