Time management: six strategies for effectively organizing working hours

Difficult to concentrate at work? Is it difficult to complete a specific task without being interrupted by colleagues' notice, customer email, and new social media information? If you/employees have this problem, the following six time management strategies can be used for reference.

01 - Time frame strategy

The first time management strategy is to create time blocks to manage your schedule. This is most commonly used by employees who want to proactively manage their to-do list, but do not have a clear idea of how long each task will take.

The time frame strategy is to divide the large tasks that must be executed into several subtasks that are easier to complete. Each subtask corresponds to a time block, and the duration of a time block cannot exceed three hours. The purpose is to gradually advance the task by setting achievable short-term goals.

02-Time blocking strategy

The second time management strategy is similar to the first. The difference is that instead of setting a specific amount of time for each task or subtask that needs to be completed, you set out some time periods in your diary to complete the relevant tasks.

That is, divide your work week into different time periods. This way, you will have time dedicated to various projects, while the rest will be devoted to your internal meetings, breaks, etc.

To follow this strategy, you need to:

• Determine your daily or weekly priorities;

• Classify similar tasks into the same time period;

• Set aside some time for these tasks in your diary.

03 - Tomato working method

Another famous time management method is tomato working method.

The purpose of this technique is to encourage you to take regular breaks, which will improve your creativity and motivation. To apply this technique, you need to follow the following steps:

• Prepare a timer and priority list;

• Put your notice on hold;

• Set the timer to 25 minutes;

• In these 25 minutes, concentrate on completing a task on the list, and do not check notifications, messages or social networks.

• After this period, take a five-minute break. If you want, check your notice and restart the process.

Simply put, it means "work in a 25-minute cycle". During this period, you can't be interrupted by other things. You can take a five-minute rest immediately after completing a cycle.

Do four "25 minute work cycles" at most, and you can rest for 20 to 30 minutes after the end.

04 - How to "eat frogs"

Do you feel more efficient at the beginning of the day? The method of "eating frogs" may be suitable for you: it is based on the principle that large and complex tasks should be completed at the beginning of the day, while less urgent or less important tasks should be placed behind.

This time management skill will ensure that the most important tasks can be completed every day. If you have a tool that allows you to track and prioritize your tasks, it will be easier to implement.

05 - Pareto law

Pareto's law, also known as the "28 laws", makes it possible to organize working hours. In a sense, this rule is the opposite of the "frog eating" time management approach: it assumes that you need to quickly get rid of the smallest tasks, and then have the time and motivation to focus on the most important tasks.

It follows the "80-20 rule": we spend 20% of our time doing 80% of our work. In this case, 80% represents smaller, less urgent and less important tasks. By dealing with these tasks first in the day, you will have 80% time to do the other 20% work.

06 - "Do a good job" rule

The sixth time management strategy is called "Getting Things Done". It suggests that you write down the task and put it in a convenient place. After writing, classify and prioritize them.

In this way, you will realize that some tasks can be deleted, postponed and delegated. The purpose is to let you know clearly what you need to do in the day, and eliminate stress while improving productivity.

It is necessary to manage time well. By adopting the time management strategy, we will find that there is more time available in the day, we can prioritize things, avoid procrastination, work and life are more balanced, and stress is also reduced.