Time Management Methods
There is a variety of methodologies sharing how to get the most out of your time. If you are anything like me, finding one that can evolve with my life has been a bit difficult. Here we will explore together to different strategies in one place.
2-Minute Rule
Concept: Tackle small tasks, 2-mins or less, as soon as they are identified. Things like a quick email or chat, handled in the moment.
Benefit: This will help avoid procrastination and drive momentum in your day.
5-Second Rule
Concept: When you identify an action, count to 5, then ACT.
Benefit: This will help with overthinking that leads to procrastination.
Do Not Do List
Concept: Identify tasks that are detrimental to your work to eliminate or delegate. This might include things like multi-tasking during meetings.
Benefit: Frees up time for more vital tasks or projects.
Pomodoro Technique
Concept: Set 25-min time blocks to focus on a single task. Followed by a 5-min break. Repeat 4x, followed by a 20-30 min break.
Benefit: Frequent breaks promotes maintained focus and higher mental agility over time.
1-3-5 Rule
Concept: Start each day by identifying 1 big task/project, 3 medium tasks, & 5 small tasks.
Benefit: Creates a clear structure in your day boosting productivity through focused prioritization.
80/20 Rule
Concept: 20% of effort leads to 80% of results. This approach is intended to maximize that 20% of efforts.
Benefit: Focusing on highest impact tasks will boost results.
Eat the Frog
Concept: Tackle the most challenging or daunting tasks first thing in the day.
Benefit: Completing the most difficult tasks first, you clear the deck for the day and build momentum.
Eisenhower Matrix
Concept: Utilize a 2x2 matrix to categorize tasks by importance/urgency. You then tackle the “urgent” tasks first, then “non-urgent” tasks can either be delegated, removed, or tackled later.
Benefit: This matrix is intended to take a conscious approach to your day and allocate time appropriately.
Rapid Planning Method
Concept: This is a purpose focused approach to projects by creating a detailed action plan focused on the end result vs the individual tasks.
Benefit: This offers an approach with clear steps and actions right from the start eliminating several stops to understand actions.
SUMMARYThe main theme of each of these methodologies is an awareness of where your time is currently being spent, then understanding the importance of each. In many ways, these methodologies can and should be overlapping to tackle anything in a given day.