Jobseekers

Time Management

If you're not a naturally organised person (and I'm not), you need to build strategies into your life to get things done. Effective time management doesn't just apply to work; it should spill over into your personal life too, to help in getting the balance right.

Planning is everything. Understand what your objectives are, how much time you have available and then work out how you are going to get everything done. It's important to be realistic about your capabilities. It’s OK to say “no” if you really don’t have the time to do the task justice.

Look at the resources you have available to you, is there someone you can delegate to? Most people are flattered to be asked. It doesn’t have to be the whole task, perhaps just a part of it. The managers who are best at delegating are often the most effective, and have the most effective teams.

One of the biggest time stealers is interruption. Make sure the people around you know when it’s not OK to interrupt you. Some of the most disorganised people I know curse the constant telephone calls and knocks on their door during meetings, but they’ve never asked their colleagues not to do it.

Finally, deadlines. I can’t work without them. If the task doesn’t have one already, create one for yourself, build in a little leeway in case of emergencies, and then stick to it.

It’s an old adage, but a true one – if you want something done, ask a busy person to do it.