ces if your section is overworked and there is some likelihood (however small) of obtaining additional resources. At least bring the issue to the attention of those in power. They will not thank you for keeping them in the dark till a crisis with dire consequences is inevitable.

14.Manage your telephone calls to reduce interruptions and time wastage.

Use voice mail or an answering service when you are concentrating on an important task. Return all calls in bulk (this can be a useful break time for a lengthy task). Get someone else to take your calls and ensure they get full details so you can return the call with all the necessary facts at hand. Schedule your outgoing calls in blocks, preferably during the early morning. Never sit on hold, always leave a message. If you know you will encounter one of those long winded automated systems, use email. If staying on hold is absolutely unavoidable, put the call on speaker and do something useful while waiting.

For more time saving tips, see my other articles called Master Time Management with 7 Time Management Tips, Master

Welcome to the second in a series of four articles on ways to improve your time management skills. Time management is a hot topic these days. With more pressure on most of us to do more with less, we are constantly turning to gurus in this area to try and improve our time management skills. Here are seven more tips to help you in your quest to master your time usage.

If you missed the first article, look for it under the title of Master Time Management with 7 Time Management Tips. And after you’ve read this one, look for Master Time Management with Yet Another 7 Time Management Tips and Master Time Management with a Final 7 Time Management Tips.

8.Always take scheduled work breaks.

When you are grossly “overworked” it is tempting to cut out all breaks, including lunch, morning and afternoon tea. However, none of us can work effectively for 8 – 10 hours without a break and for the sake of both our sanity and effectiveness, we need to take reasonable breaks. Even a quick, brisk walk, stretches or a few minutes meditation/relaxation can often give your mind and body the break they need.

9.Try to complete a task in one sitting whenever possible.

Are you sometimes guilty of starting a task, spending some time on it and then baulking at the complexity of the task or difficulty of the decision(s) to be made, you throw it in the “pending” tray or back to the in-tray? Many of us repeat this process over and over again, preferring to devote our energies to easier or more interesting tasks and waste considerable time in the process of doing so. It is far more time efficient to complete a “whole” task whenever possible. Try to have all the resources you need to do this so you will not be forced to stop and start.

10.Do not take work home on weekends or evenings

It is very easy to get caught up in the habit of regularly taking work home with you on weekends and evenings. If you find yourself doing this on a regular basis, then you need to reexamine our time management techniques. A basic time management principal is to ensure you prioritize all areas of your life, including home and family. All work and no play creates a whole set of problems, other than being tired and cranky. Leave work at the workplace and manage your time better rather than stealing from Peter to pay Paul.

11.Always give your team members loads of specific and timely feedback on their performance, both positive and negative.

You will be able to manage your own time more effectively if your team members are doing their jobs properly. Being human, we all make mistakes at times and it is important to provide others with immediate, objective feedback when mistakes are made. And don’t forget the praise and gratitude when a good job is done. There is no better way to get others to help you or take over some of your tasks then to give praise when and where it is due. The more time you spend on your team members, the more time you’ll have to yourself.

12.Treat mistakes as learning opportunities

As stated earlier, your team members are human and therefore will make mistakes occasionally (don’t you?). However, they will not develop new skills and self confidence unless you provide them with learning opportunities. The chances of mistakes are lessened if you give clear instructions and appropriately monitor progress on any delegated tasks (this does not mean breathing down their necks all the time). If you treat mistakes as learning opportunities rather than opportunities for criticism, then your team will be more willing and enthusiastic to take on delegated tasks in the future.

13.Don’t be a martyr or pretend you can cope when you can’t.

Some of us suffer from a martyr complex, being determined to tackle an exorbitantly high work load for extended periods, even if it kills us (it sometimes does). Others have poorly developed assertiveness skills and are not prepared to make a case for extra resources, even when there is a crying need for them. Inadequate staff or resources can often occur if an organization is either rapidly expanding, with increased workload not being matched by increased staff numbers, or experiencing difficult times (a reduced number of staff being required to cope with the same workload). You owe it to your staff and yourself to request extra resources if your section is overworked and there is some likelihood (however small) of obtaining additional resources. At least bring the issue to the attention of those in power. They will not thank you for keeping them in the dark till a crisis with dire consequences is inevitable.

14.Manage your telephone calls to reduce interruptions and time wastage.

Use voice mail or an answering service when you are concentrating on an important task. Return all calls in bulk (this can be a useful break time for a lengthy task). Get someone else to take your calls and ensure they get full details so you can return the call with all the necessary facts at hand. Schedule your outgoing calls in blocks, preferably during the early morning. Never sit on hold, always leave a message. If you know you will encounter one of those long winded automated systems, use email. If staying on hold is absolutely unavoidable, put the call on speaker and do something useful while waiting.

For more time saving tips, see my other articles called Master Time Management with 7 Time Management Tips, Master T

break they need.

9.Try to complete a task in one sitting whenever possible.

Are you sometimes guilty of starting a task, spending some time on it and then baulking at the complexity of the task or difficulty of the decision(s) to be made, you throw it in the “pending” tray or back to the in-tray? Many of us repeat this process over and over again, preferring to devote our energies to easier or more interesting tasks and waste considerable time in the process of doing so. It is far more time efficient to complete a “whole” task whenever possible. Try to have all the resources you need to do this so you will not be forced to stop and start.

10.Do not take work home on weekends or evenings

It is very easy to get caught up in the habit of regularly taking work home with you on weekends and evenings. If you find yourself doing this on a regular basis, then you need to reexamine our time management techniques. A basic time management principal is to ensure you prioritize all areas of your life, including home and family. All work and no play creates a whole set of problems, other than being tired and cranky. Leave work at the workplace and manage your time better rather than stealing from Peter to pay Paul.

11.Always give your team members loads of specific and timely feedback on their performance, both positive and negative.

You will be able to manage your own time more effectively if your team members are doing their jobs properly. Being human, we all make mistakes at times and it is important to provide others with immediate, objective feedback when mistakes are made. And don’t forget the praise and gratitude when a good job is done. There is no better way to get others to help you or take over some of your tasks then to give praise when and where it is due. The more time you spend on your team members, the more time you’ll have to yourself.

12.Treat mistakes as learning opportunities

As stated earlier, your team members are human and therefore will make mistakes occasionally (don’t you?). However, they will not develop new skills and self confidence unless you provide them with learning opportunities. The chances of mistakes are lessened if you give clear instructions and appropriately monitor progress on any delegated tasks (this does not mean breathing down their necks all the time). If you treat mistakes as learning opportunities rather than opportunities for criticism, then your team will be more willing and enthusiastic to take on delegated tasks in the future.

13.Don’t be a martyr or pretend you can cope when you can’t.

Some of us suffer from a martyr complex, being determined to tackle an exorbitantly high work load for extended periods, even if it kills us (it sometimes does). Others have poorly developed assertiveness skills and are not prepared to make a case for extra resources, even when there is a crying need for them. Inadequate staff or resources can often occur if an organization is either rapidly expanding, with increased workload not being matched by increased staff numbers, or experiencing difficult times (a reduced number of staff being required to cope with the same workload). You owe it to your staff and yourself to request extra resources if your section is overworked and there is some likelihood (however small) of obtaining additional resources. At least bring the issue to the attention of those in power. They will not thank you for keeping them in the dark till a crisis with dire consequences is inevitable.

14.Manage your telephone calls to reduce interruptions and time wastage.

Use voice mail or an answering service when you are concentrating on an important task. Return all calls in bulk (this can be a useful break time for a lengthy task). Get someone else to take your calls and ensure they get full details so you can return the call with all the necessary facts at hand. Schedule your outgoing calls in blocks, preferably during the early morning. Never sit on hold, always leave a message. If you know you will encounter one of those long winded automated systems, use email. If staying on hold is absolutely unavoidable, put the call on speaker and do something useful while waiting.

For more time saving tips, see my other articles called Master Time Management with 7 Time Management Tips, Master

whole set of problems, other than being tired and cranky. Leave work at the workplace and manage your time better rather than stealing from Peter to pay Paul.

11.Always give your team members loads of specific and timely feedback on their performance, both positive and negative.

You will be able to manage your own time more effectively if your team members are doing their jobs properly. Being human, we all make mistakes at times and it is important to provide others with immediate, objective feedback when mistakes are made. And don’t forget the praise and gratitude when a good job is done. There is no better way to get others to help you or take over some of your tasks then to give praise when and where it is due. The more time you spend on your team members, the more time you’ll have to yourself.

12.Treat mistakes as learning opportunities

As stated earlier, your team members are human and therefore will make mistakes occasionally (don’t you?). However, they will not develop new skills and self confidence unless you provide them with learning opportunities. The chances of mistakes are lessened if you give clear instructions and appropriately monitor progress on any delegated tasks (this does not mean breathing down their necks all the time). If you treat mistakes as learning opportunities rather than opportunities for criticism, then your team will be more willing and enthusiastic to take on delegated tasks in the future.

13.Don’t be a martyr or pretend you can cope when you can’t.

Some of us suffer from a martyr complex, being determined to tackle an exorbitantly high work load for extended periods, even if it kills us (it sometimes does). Others have poorly developed assertiveness skills and are not prepared to make a case for extra resources, even when there is a crying need for them. Inadequate staff or resources can often occur if an organization is either rapidly expanding, with increased workload not being matched by increased staff numbers, or experiencing difficult times (a reduced number of staff being required to cope with the same workload). You owe it to your staff and yourself to request extra resources if your section is overworked and there is some likelihood (however small) of obtaining additional resources. At least bring the issue to the attention of those in power. They will not thank you for keeping them in the dark till a crisis with dire consequences is inevitable.

14.Manage your telephone calls to reduce interruptions and time wastage.

Use voice mail or an answering service when you are concentrating on an important task. Return all calls in bulk (this can be a useful break time for a lengthy task). Get someone else to take your calls and ensure they get full details so you can return the call with all the necessary facts at hand. Schedule your outgoing calls in blocks, preferably during the early morning. Never sit on hold, always leave a message. If you know you will encounter one of those long winded automated systems, use email. If staying on hold is absolutely unavoidable, put the call on speaker and do something useful while waiting.

For more time saving tips, see my other articles called Master Time Management with 7 Time Management Tips, Master

pportunities. The chances of mistakes are lessened if you give clear instructions and appropriately monitor progress on any delegated tasks (this does not mean breathing down their necks all the time). If you treat mistakes as learning opportunities rather than opportunities for criticism, then your team will be more willing and enthusiastic to take on delegated tasks in the future.

13.Don’t be a martyr or pretend you can cope when you can’t.

Some of us suffer from a martyr complex, being determined to tackle an exorbitantly high work load for extended periods, even if it kills us (it sometimes does). Others have poorly developed assertiveness skills and are not prepared to make a case for extra resources, even when there is a crying need for them. Inadequate staff or resources can often occur if an organization is either rapidly expanding, with increased workload not being matched by increased staff numbers, or experiencing difficult times (a reduced number of staff being required to cope with the same workload). You owe it to your staff and yourself to request extra resources if your section is overworked and there is some likelihood (however small) of obtaining additional resources. At least bring the issue to the attention of those in power. They will not thank you for keeping them in the dark till a crisis with dire consequences is inevitable.

14.Manage your telephone calls to reduce interruptions and time wastage.

Use voice mail or an answering service when you are concentrating on an important task. Return all calls in bulk (this can be a useful break time for a lengthy task). Get someone else to take your calls and ensure they get full details so you can return the call with all the necessary facts at hand. Schedule your outgoing calls in blocks, preferably during the early morning. Never sit on hold, always leave a message. If you know you will encounter one of those long winded automated systems, use email. If staying on hold is absolutely unavoidable, put the call on speaker and do something useful while waiting.

For more time saving tips, see my other articles called Master Time Management with 7 Time Management Tips, Master

ces if your section is overworked and there is some likelihood (however small) of obtaining additional resources. At least bring the issue to the attention of those in power. They will not thank you for keeping them in the dark till a crisis with dire consequences is inevitable.

14.Manage your telephone calls to reduce interruptions and time wastage.

Use voice mail or an answering service when you are concentrating on an important task. Return all calls in bulk (this can be a useful break time for a lengthy task). Get someone else to take your calls and ensure they get full details so you can return the call with all the necessary facts at hand. Schedule your outgoing calls in blocks, preferably during the early morning. Never sit on hold, always leave a message. If you know you will encounter one of those long winded automated systems, use email. If staying on hold is absolutely unavoidable, put the call on speaker and do something useful while waiting.

For more time saving tips, see my other articles called Master Time Management with 7 Time Management Tips, Master Time Management with Yet Another 7 Time Management Tips, Master Time Management with a Final 7 Time Management Tips.