Time is one resource that cannot be recovered once lost. As a Facility Management Professional, mastering time management is crucial to achieving results and maintaining a balanced workload, regardless of your role or level.
How can you tell if you’re not making the most of your time? Signs include being consistently late for work and appointments, missing deadlines, and delivering reports late. If your productivity is falling short of expectations, it could be due to poor time management.
Here are 5 time management tips that can help you turn things around and start seeing positive results quickly:
1. Start Each Day with a Plan
Begin each day with a clear focus on your activities, ideally planning them either first thing in the morning or the night before. Having a daily plan allows you to stay on track, even if unexpected tasks arise, by comparing your progress against the planned activities as the day goes on.
2. Time Each Activity
Having a plan is great, but it’s important to manage your time effectively within that plan. Allocate specific start and finish times for each task to pace yourself appropriately. Don’t forget to leave some buffer time—5 to 10 minutes—between activities for flexibility.
3. Resist Distractions
Distractions can derail your productivity. Learn to say “No” to unnecessary interruptions like personal phone calls, emails, extended lunches, or social media. Make it clear to family and friends that work hours are off-limits for casual chatting unless it’s an emergency. Some professionals even choose to turn off their personal phones during work hours or send calls to voicemail.
4. Use Digital Organizers and Calendars
There are many free digital organizers and calendars available that can enhance your time management efforts. These tools can help you organize and keep track of your projects, meetings, and to-do lists. Google Calendar is a great starting point, and it offers the advantage of accessing your schedule on the go.
5. Delegate, Delegate, Delegate
Delegation doesn’t have to be difficult. Many professionals hesitate to delegate because they fear the job won’t be done correctly. However, effective delegation can significantly reduce your workload, freeing up time for more important tasks. When delegating, be sure to clearly explain what needs to be done, how it should be done, and when the task should be completed.
By incorporating these time management tips into your routine, you’ll start to see improvements in your work efficiency and productivity. Begin with one or two tips, and gradually integrate the others to enhance your facility management skills.
