EP 68 | Successful Time Management is Personal

Is your approach to time management helping or hindering your workday? In this episode, Niamh explains why time management is personal and subjective, exploring how your work type affects your approach.

Learn a variety of techniques, such as using buffer time and a personal mantra, to manage your experience of time during a busy workday and reduce unnecessary stress.

Key Takeaways

• Acknowledge Time is Subjective: The amount of time something takes is less important than your personal experience of it. Niamh reminds us that managing how you feel and respond to events is as crucial as planning the work itself.

• Match Your Strategy to Your Work: Traditional time management isn’t one-size-fits-all. Your job type (strategic vs. tactical, proactive vs. responsive, unique vs. repetitive) dictates how much you can plan and control. Using someone else’s system for your job is a common source of failure.

• Build in Buffer Time: Include time in your schedule for the unexpected, urgent tasks, or things that simply take longer than you estimated. This helps prevent one interruption from completely derailing your day, helping you feel more in control.

• Minimise Stress and Multitasking: Multitasking makes you less efficient, while allowing stress and pressure to build up makes the clock feel like it's ticking too fast. Niamh suggests taking breaks, focusing on what you can control, and being mindful of your response to the work.

• Use 'Min and Max' Times: Set a minimum amount of time for important work you might be avoiding and a maximum time limit for enjoyable tasks you tend to spend too long on. This creates helpful boundaries to improve your planning.

If you found Niamh’s insights helpful, please share this episode with a friend or colleague. You can also support the podcast by subscribing and leaving a rating or review.

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