It can be easy to go from meeting to meeting, making decisions on the fly and reading documents as they’re being discussed. I’ve even created a presentation during a meeting when I forgot I was due to present at it!2
You might think that’s the most efficient way of using your time, and my diary is the same: a series of back-to-back meetings on various issues. However, without the time to reflect, you’ll end up making knee-jerk responses, missing out on the opportunity to influence a project, or not spotting a risk you could have avoided. Reflecting on your actions and decisions can significantly enhance your time management skills, leading to more effective outcomes.
After a period of stress, where I used cognitive behavioural therapy, I learnt to write a worry diary and now block out time to review the week ahead; you could argue I should be reviewing the fortnight, if not the month ahead! This proactive approach to time management has helped me stay ahead of my tasks and feel more in control of my schedule.
I also block out time to do work between meetings. This practice has been beneficial as it allows me to focus on tasks without the pressure of upcoming meetings, ensuring I give each task the attention it deserves. Even if I’m still influenced by how much time I’ve left after meetings, rather than how much time I need for work and which meetings I need.
At one point, I set aside half an hour each day after work to write in my diary about how I felt about the day, what I’d achieved, what issues had come up, and what I could do to tackle them and improve my work. This practice not only helped me manage my time better but also fostered personal growth and self-improvement, which I believe is crucial for every professional.
How do you use your time effectively?
