Time management is a common topic for employees of any business. Learning to be on top of your time and get things done when needed can be challenging. However, managers often focus less on this area and are responsible for working out their time management techniques.
As a manager, you have to think about online correspondence management, managing a team, checking in with employees, who to fire and who to keep on the team, meeting metrics for the company, helping those who ask for help, and completing paperwork and managerial tasks.
It can be a lot of pressure. So if you’re your boss, here are some tips on managing your time and getting the most out of it.
Utilize Project Management Software
Project management software is a lifesaver, primarily if you work remotely or for a team that works with digital content. You can track employees, notes, project due dates, clients, and more, all in one place!
Some popular project management services include:
- Asana
- ClickUp
- Monday
- Hive
- GanttPro
Utilize software that’s made for your industry, as well. ClickUp and Asana are best for freelancers and small companies. Many larger corporations use Monday and Hive. You can often pay for more features or pay a subscription to any software to try it out.
Multiple team members can also use project management software, and you can give different permissions to different accounts. For example, management can have the ability to check employee notes, but employees can have the ability only to leave notes on clients or check the tasks assigned to them by management.
These software programs are excellent for helping you keep on top of tasks and always get things done by their due date.
Utilize an Automated Email Delivery Service
If you dread the influx of emails you get every morning, there’s software for that! Many email delivery services allow you to send out mass emails simultaneously with unique and professional templates. You can also create email templates for inquiries you often receive or send an automated message to let people know when you’re out of the office.
These services can often tell you when there is an unread email, and you can always add essential emails to a saved list to come back to when you have time!
Organize Employee Notes and Performance
Always organize your employee notes and performance notes in one place. Even if you have physical files, make sure also to keep a notebook or digital file that contains important information that you may need to use, including:
- Their employee number
- Their name
- Their hire date
- Any important infractions
- Any important rewards earned or any gains in the company
- Notes on performance with the date attached
Keep things fair by keeping the same system for every employee, regardless of status.
Hire Help or an Assistant if Needed
It’s okay to admit when you need help. Management is hard work, and one manager can’t always do everything a large company needs. So if you need an assistant and can hire one, it’s wonderful to do it! It may even pay off, as you’ll spend more time on the more important tasks and allow your assistant to respond to more repetitive ones like emails and messages.
An assistant can also pick up on the things you miss when you’re busy, help you manage your team, and best organize your duties.
Utilize Your Strong Suits
Always focus your attention on the areas of the workforce where you work best. For example, if you’re great with catching details, utilize that in every company area. If you’re a social butterfly, use it to help retain customers and make your employees feel appreciated. Every manager is different, so follow a style that makes you happy to come to work daily.
Give Yourself a Break
You can’t do your best job if you’re burnt out! That’s why it’s essential to take a break when you need to. It’s easy to get into a routine of doing too much all the time, especially if you enjoy being busy. However, a break gives your brain a chance to rest so that you can return to the job with a clear mind and a readiness to work.
You also want to continue to value the other areas of your life, as a healthy work/life balance is essential to good mental and physical health.
Reward Yourself
As a manager, you likely don’t receive the same recognition and rewards your employees give. If you feel proud of yourself or have made significant changes in the company, reward yourself! Take yourself out for dinner or buy yourself a cake. Rewards are suitable for your brain and can motivate you to continue working hard at your job, even when you get discouraged.
Create Notes for Tomorrow
Before you leave, leave notes for yourself on what needs to be finished the next day. If you have almost finished a task, but it still needs the final touches, write it down. You might think you’ll remember it when you’re focused on it, but tomorrow’s problems can always creep up, and you’ll likely forget at least some details.
Leaving a sticky note on your desk (or desktop, if you work remotely) is a great way to remind yourself as soon as you enter the workplace and keeps you on track. You don’t want ever to leave a task unfinished. That’s where project management software can help.
Conclusion
Management is hard work, no matter what industry you work in; if you’re ready to learn more about time management and put it to the test in your professional and personal life.
