Time management is an important skill we must develop. If not used properly, you’ll become frustrated by inefficiency and ineffectiveness. We are blessed with 24 hours each day to use as we choose. (Do you realize how you spend your day is a choice?) Using our time wisely is a skill that can be developed and helps us become more productive. Here are some helpful tips to being an effective time manager.

1. Know your role/expectations. Stay in your lane. Stay true to your role or purpose.
2. Prioritize tasks daily or weekly. Determine what’s most important and start with those tasks.
3. Set a timeframe to complete each task. Setting clear deadlines is helpful in making sure you stay focused each day and assigning sufficient time for a project/task.
4. Minimize distractions. There will always be emergencies that pop up but every “emergency” is not a call to action. Determine what must be attended to and leave the rest.
5. As a leader, determine which tasks can be delegated. Delegating tasks can free up time needed for professional development, creating strategies, and other bigger picture tasks.
6. Stay focused keeping the end results in mind. What are the goals you’re working towards? What do you want to accomplish?
7. Plan ahead. Look at tasks that are coming up within the next few weeks so you can begin integrating them into your workflow. This will allow you not to be caught off guard and rushing through tasks at the last minute.

~Coletta Jones Patterson

Coletta is an author, speaker, life coach and business executive who is passionate about helping others get unstuck. Check out the Beyond Stuck podcast every Tuesday or pick up her book, “Beyond Stuck: Creating the Life You Want” on Amazon.