Shravan Kumar

"Time is what we want most, but what we use worst". This quote by William Penn runs true in most of our lives. In this busy world, we always seem to be running short of time to do the things we want, be it personal chores or our professional work. The time crunch subsequently impacts our daily routines, resulting in the potential neglect of essential aspects such as maintaining timely meals, obtaining a sufficient eight hours of sleep per day, and allocating quality time for familial engagements. Ultimately, this disparity between work and personal life culminates in diminished productivity and a myriad of health complications, including heightened levels of stress and an increased risk of depression.As Benjamin Franklin had once said, time is money, and like money, time must be managed and spent well. At YourTribe, we have consistently emphasized the importance of efficient time utilization among our employees, striking a balance between professional commitments and personal well-being. By encouraging effective time management during business hours and prioritizing personal reflection, we have witnessed exceptional performance, sustained motivation, and consistently elevated levels of productivity among our valued associates. We share some of these time management techniques here for the benefit of anyone who wants to utilize their time better -&nbsp;Set Goals &amp; ObjectivesSetting goals and objectives should be the first step before we go into the basics of time management. We should be clear on what we want to achieve, how much time we have in hand, and how we plan to make the best use of that time to attain our goals. Achieving clarity is of utmost importance as it enhances our ability to concentrate and maximize our potential, all the while minimizing unwanted distractions.&nbsp;Prioritize Your ActivitiesAfter establishing your goals, you need to perform the set of corresponding activities or tasks in order to achieve those goals. You should be able to prioritize these tasks in a way that will help you to achieve those goals sooner than later. Tasks that have a relatively smaller impact on your final deliverables should take the back seat and come down the order of priority.Have a To-do listUpon identifying and prioritizing the tasks, it is advisable to compile them into a to-do list rather than relying on memory alone. This list serves as a daily reminder of how much you have accomplished so far, what you have to work on today, and what remains to be done. You also get a sense of achievement and satisfaction when you cross out the completed tasks which in turn helps you stay motivated on course to achieve your goals.Schedule TasksEach one of us has our own distinct style and preference of working and we must make sure to capitalize on that. If you are a person with peak productivity in the mornings, try to schedule the most critical tasks in the morning. If you are someone whose energy levels are high in the evenings, it would make sense to do high-priority tasks in the evenings. Less significant tasks can be scheduled for periods when your productivity is naturally lower.Delegate As NeededDelegation is a key skill if you wish to achieve a lot within the shortest time possible. We have to realize that not everything can or should be done by us. We should be able to delegate some of the tasks to others who have both the skillset and accountability to complete them. However, delegation to the wrong person can have consequences and might impact our final deliverables.Focus on 1 task at a TimeMultitasking is a very fancy word and people take great pride in saying they can multitask. We think that multitasking can bring us to our goals quicker. However, the reality is that it actually impacts the quality of our work. Jumping from 1 task to other leads to distraction and wastes more of our precious time. Completing the tasks one by one in order of priority is the best way to go about it.Eliminate DistractionsIn today's digital world, distractions are aplenty. It is very easy for us to get diverted, leading to a loss of focus and ultimately affecting our productivity. We need to get control of ourselves and keep distractions away, especially when we are in the "flow". Keeping the mobile away from your desk, setting "do not disturb" status in your IMs, and restricting social media usage on your devices are some tips that will help keep you away from distractions.Do Not ProcrastinateMany of us tend to think that we can start a task later, especially if we have plenty of time in hand. No matter what, tasks that are important have to be done right away. It is very tempting to postpone things, but continuing this will make it a habit and we will eventually deviate off track. It is imperative to exert conscious effort in resisting the temptation to procrastinate, safeguarding our progress from being undermined.&nbsp;Take BreaksWhile it is important to stay focused on our goals, it is equally important to take occasional breaks and recharge yourself. Taking breaks is an integral part of effective time management. Failure to do so will most likely lead to burnout and put a brake on our endeavors. Engaging in activities such as taking leisurely walks, immersing oneself in favorite books, and practicing meditation are effective ways to promote relaxation and mental rejuvenation.Learn to Say NoYou may ruffle a few feathers, but it is imperative that you say NO to things that don't matter, irrespective of who it is that is asking. Saying “no” to things that are not a priority or detrimental to your goals allows you to focus on your own agenda. Attempting to accommodate everyone's needs and constantly striving to be helpful can result in overwhelming oneself, leading to heightened stress levels and diminished performance. In conclusion, it is crucial to recognize the value of time as it represents our most precious resource. Avoid squandering it needlessly or overextending yourself solely to please others. Instead, employ it judiciously in pursuit of your goals, and success will naturally ensue.

Whether you work from home or in an office, being productive while managing your time well is a crucial skill that will define your career development. Finding the time to finish every task at work and getting everything done might be difficult, but, with just a few working habits, you'll discover that you're executing more and spending less time trying to figure out what has to be done next. Here are the top ten tactics that have helped us manage our time and be more productive at work.

Top 10 Proven Tips That Helped Us Manage Time and Boost Our Productivity

Whether you work from home or in an office, being productive while managing your time well is a crucial skill that will define your career development.