Time Management: How to Take Control of Your Schedule and Boost Productivity

Why Most Time Management Fails — And What Really Works

For many, the beginning of a new year starts with resolutions. If your goal this year is to be more organized, less reactive, achieve more, or work more efficiently, start by improving your time management. A few intentional changes can make all the difference.

We are all allotted the same 24 hours each day. It’s how you plan for those 24 hours—and how you respond to what comes your way—that creates results.

Time management is really about self-management because time will pass regardless of what we do. With that in mind, what are you doing to waste time, and what can you do to be more efficient?

Start With a Clear Picture of Your Responsibilities

Your first step is to make a list of all your obligations:

• what needs to be completed

• when tasks are due

• how long they will take

Make the list as comprehensive as possible. Then, eliminate any time wasters that sabotage your productivity.

Use One Central Planner (Your “Command Center”)

With your list in hand, tracking becomes essential. Use one planner—just one. All appointments, deadlines, tasks, and goals should live in that one place. Keep it close. If you’re without it, you should feel like something is missing.

Big tasks should be broken down into manageable pieces so you’re constantly moving toward completion. Estimate how long each step will take and create a timeline. If needed, work backward from the due date. Then place each step into your planner.

Prioritize What Matters Most

Place your highest-priority tasks and closest deadlines at the top of your list. Build your schedule around these important items. Lower priorities can fill the gaps around them.

If you struggle with procrastination, set daily, weekly, monthly, quarterly, or annual goals to keep yourself on track.

Pay attention to your energy patterns:

• Are you sharpest first thing in the morning?

• Do you get a surge of energy in late afternoon?

Schedule your least favorite tasks during your highest-energy times.

Delegate to Increase Your Effectiveness

One of the quickest ways to free up space in your schedule is to determine if you’re micro-managing. If you feel you need to have your finger on every project or every decision, you're spending too much time on tasks that can be delegated.

Delegating:

• moves you closer to completing a project

• empowers your employees to grow

• energizes them to contribute

• frees up your valuable time

Delegation does not minimize your contribution—it strengthens it.

Make Decisions and Clear the Clutter

Indecision is a time waster in itself. If you are indecisive, you’ve already made a decision—not to act. If you have the facts needed to make a decision, make it. If you need more information, gather it, decide, and move on. Next, clear your workspace. Everything should have a place—and be in its place. A clean work area reduces stress, confusion, and errors.

Create Your Own System and Stick With It

Ideas for improving time management are as varied as the people using them. These strategies are simply a starting point for building a more intentional, productive, and less stressful approach to your work and life. Make time management a daily discipline, and you’ll gain clarity, momentum, and room to breathe.

If you're ready to strengthen your productivity and leadership effectiveness, explore our Delegation & Empowerment microlearning workbook—designed to help you clarify your values, align your actions, and lead with purpose.