You’re struggling to stay on top of your workload. How can you get more done in less time?

1 Prioritize your tasks

One of the key aspects of time management is knowing what to do first. Not all tasks are equally important or urgent, so you need to sort them out according to your priorities. A useful tool for this is the Eisenhower matrix, which divides your tasks into four categories: urgent and important, important but not urgent, urgent but not important, and neither urgent nor important. Focus on the tasks that are urgent and important, and delegate, schedule, or eliminate the rest.

4 Eliminate distractions

Distractions are the enemies of time management. They can reduce your focus, waste your time, and lower your quality of work. To eliminate distractions, you need to identify what triggers them and how to avoid them. Some common sources of distraction are email, social media, phone calls, noise, and clutter. You can use techniques such as turning off notifications, setting boundaries, wearing headphones, or organizing your workspace to minimize distractions and stay focused.

5 Batch similar tasks

Batching is a time management technique that involves grouping similar tasks together and doing them in one session. Batching can help you improve your efficiency, reduce switching costs, and maintain your momentum. For example, you can batch your email checking, phone calls, meetings, or reports into specific time slots or days. This way, you can avoid jumping from one task to another and losing your concentration.

6 Delegate or outsource

Sometimes, you can’t do everything by yourself. You may have too many tasks, too little time, or too little expertise. In such cases, you can delegate or outsource some of your tasks to others who can do them better or faster. Delegating or outsourcing can free up your time, reduce your workload, and increase your quality of work. However, you need to choose wisely what tasks to delegate or outsource, and to whom. You also need to communicate clearly your expectations, deadlines, and feedback.

7 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?