Why time management is important

If you're busy and want to get things done, time management is an essential skill you need to master; however, if you are new to time management and need convincing. Let's start by understanding what exactly is time management.

What is time management? 

Time management is the process of planning and exercising conscious control over the time, you spend on specific activities to work smarter, not harder. For example, suppose you're having trouble with poor time management skills at work. In that case, for example, it can result in:

- poor goal setting and attainment

- missed deadlines and appointments,

- procrastination, 

- a lack of focus or low productivity, 

- unwanted stress and a poor professional reputation.

Why time management is important in the workplace

Business leaders who want to achieve the impossible and thrive must become brutal when managing their time. Before you even consider investing a cent in growth, you need to develop and embrace the mindset and "personal systems" of getting things done. After all, how can you spend time on accelerating growth when you don't have any?

To increase your productivity, you have to understand the activities that are wasting your time. Then, replace old habits with new habits that will increase your productivity. Focusing on your highest priorities, the one's which will make the most significant impact, should in itself be a top priority.

General Dwight Eisenhower was a five-star World War II general and the 34th President of the United States. He accomplished a great deal utilising a time management strategy known as the "Eisenhower Box" or Urgent-Important Matrix - a tried and tested system first introduced in 1954.

Growth is possible in every business, team, industry and individual. Inspired by those who've come before us, we've developed a clear growth strategy for your business—one that focuses on managing your time.

Steps to time management

Prioritise what to KEEP.

Ensure that you're balancing essential and time-sensitive tasks, such as spending time with customers or enabling your sales and product teams to deliver bigger and better results.

Identify what you can DELEGATE.

Your next step is to determine which core activities create value but require delegation. You'll not only free up your time, but it'll also be a great way to help nurture your team's learning and development. Once you've designated your top priorities and built the capacity to focus even more on growth, it's time to take the next step.

What tasks can you OFFLOAD or KILL?

Identify which tasks you can offload, perhaps to a third party and those you can stop doing as they do not add value to your goals.

Now ALLOCATE your new (streamlined?) list of priorities.

Calculate how much time you've saved from the actions above, and look at what you can do with it. Allocate it to tasks that will help the organisation grow faster—for example, spending more time with customers, coaching your staff, or enabling your salesforce to be more effective. Setting boundaries with this strategy also allows you to delegate better and avoid micromanaging.

Prioritising yourself

Another significant advantage to effective time management skills is that you can experience a range of personal benefits. Meaning that if you're better at managing your time in the office, you can spend more time on your personal life, hobbies, health, and relationships with family and friends.

Using these tips and processes to manage your time will maximise productivity, and you'll become more organised. Allowing you to work smarter, not harder, which who wouldn't want to do, in the fast-paced, complex world we live in today?

So if you're going to make the most of your professional, personal and business growth potential, it only makes sense to get started with time management! If you want to learn more about freeing up your time and focusing more on the priorities that will accelerate growth, coaching can help you. Subscribe below or contact us to learn how to help you prioritise your time, work smarter, and get the results you want.