What do you do if your time management as a product marketer is falling short?

Time management struggles often signal a bigger issue - you're trying to do too much without sufficient prioritization. Here are some tips to regain control: First, take an objective look at your workload. Categorize tasks based on their impact toward core goals. Which ones are just busywork providing little value? Those are the first candidates for elimination or delegation. Next, analyze processes and workflows. Are there inefficient practices causing avoidable burnout and delays? Don't be afraid to have frank discussions with stakeholders about capacity. Sometimes rigorous re-prioritization is needed to refocus on high-leverage outputs. Embrace the power of saying "no" to non-essentials so you can go all-in on priorities.

Create a schedule or to-do list to organize your tasks. Set clear goals and deadlines for your activities. Break down large tasks into smaller, manageable task. Eliminate or delegate non-essential tasks. Use productivity techniques and tools such as time-blocking or the Pomodoro Technique.

Start by assessing your workload to identify tasks that are consuming too much time or can be streamlined. Following a project management tool like Notion AI or Monday.com can help a great deal.

Time management is crucial for any sound professional in any field. Missing appointments and deadlines is simply wrong. No one needs to use the mental energy required for a week’s schedule. Thus, a calendar is not only helpful but is necessary. If there are a lot of meetings to be scheduled, tools like Calendly can be beneficial for managing scheduling and eliminating scheduling conflicts. A project management tool is suitable for any project. Not only does it keep projects on track, but it also eliminates the stress and worry related to meeting deadlines. Reaching milestones on time is rewarding; it boosts confidence and helps you stay in control.

Set SMART goals (Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, Time-bound) to prioritize tasks and ensure you're focusing on what matters most. Also, one should learn how to effectively delegate and collaborate on certain tasks.

Instead of haphazardly slotting tasks, batch around themes like "Writing Wednesdays" to minimize distracting context-switches. Proactively build buffers for disruptions. Use tentpole activities like morning planners as behavioral anchors structuring your days. Audit recurring meetings ruthlessly - cut excess for uninterrupted focus stretches. During focus times, eliminate distractions with noise-canceling headphones, website blockers, etc. The goal is to create a sustainable cadence of intense work relieved by true recharge periods to avoid the constant chaos grind. It's not about busyness, but finding flow.

Plan your schedule effectively, blocking out dedicated time for high-priority tasks and minimizing distractions. Again, a project and time management tool can be a life-saver here!

One can only do so much! No matter how hard we work, we may reach our human limit. Overworking for extended periods may cause burnout. It may affect health and productivity. Thus, proper planning and delegating, as needed, increases and sustains productivity.

For my personal to-do list, like decorating my home or getting bids for a plumbing installation, I use Fiverr to identify global experts who can work virtually at a low cost. This same idea of vendor outsourcing can work with your professional to-do list. Need to build a logo? Fiverr. Need to write copy? AI and Fiverr. Need to do some research on customers? Fiverr. Need to run a content marketing campaign? Fiverr.

Delegate tasks that can be handled by others or consider outsourcing certain responsibilities to free up your time. You have to put your team management and team playing skills to work.

Product marketing involves constant decision-making. Reflect on how long each decision takes and if it could be streamlined. Did you gather enough data initially, leading to revisions later? Analyze these decisions to identify areas for improvement. This can reveal hidden time drains and opportunities to delegate tasks that require less strategic thinking.

None of us are perfect and not all days will be the same; also there is no one-size fits all strategy that works. You should regularly review your time management strategies and identify areas for improvement, making adjustments as needed.

There always is scope for fine-tuning and improving. Negative feedback and not-so-good performance in analytics is just an opportunity for finding it. It is good to ask reviewers how you can improve so that they can guide you with specifics.

Self-care is always important! Even cars can not run continuously without stopping. The human body is no different. Adequate breaks and a healthy lifestyle increase and sustain productivity in the long run.

It's very easy to list a bunch of tools to fix this issue, but there is so much more to consider. Surely it is profitable to determine the source of the time management problem; a) is it personal? ADHD, too many late nights, generalist personality type, family crisis or concern. b) is it managerial? Where I've been micromanaged, I somehow ended up dropping more balls than being trusted. It was weird. c) is it organisational? Company culture that is always putting out fires, changing goals, or understaffed. d) is it a skills issue? Have you ever learned some basic time management skills? Personally, I ended most of the apps, and took up the pen. Somehow, my thoughts flow clearly and creatively when I get away from screens and keyboards.

One approach I found helpful as a Director of Product Marketing when my time is short is Work Triage. I spend 15 minutes a day reviewing all my goals and projects and determine which activities I'll do today, which I'll do this week, which I'll do this month, which I'll do this quarter, and so on. this really helps minimize things falling through the cracks.