Mastering Time Management

By Althea Ocomen

1. Set goals correctly

Set goals that are achievable and measurable. Use the SMART method when setting goals. In essence, make sure the goals you set are Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Relevant, and Timely. Avoid wasting your time on tasks that are not urgent or important at the moment.

2. Prioritise wisely

Prioritise tasks based on their importance and urgency. For example, look at your daily tasks and determine which are:

Important and urgent: Do these tasks right away.

Important but not urgent: Decide when to do these tasks.

Urgent but not important: Delegate these tasks if possible.

Not urgent and not important: Set these aside to do later.

3. Organize your schedule

Utilize your calendar for more long-term time management. Write down the deadlines for projects, or for tasks that are part of completing the overall project. Think about which days might be best to dedicate to specific tasks. For example, you might need to plan a meeting to discuss cash flow on a day when you know the company CFO is available. Always plan in advance in order to get more things done.