Page 28 - August 22, 2024 Bulletin

TAKE BACK YOUR

PRODUCTIVITY

It makes you crazy. You reach the end of the day Take back your time with
and wonder where all your time went ... these strategies:

• Set clear goals and deadlines
and break large tasks into
There’s a good chance some of it was stolen by time thieves—seemingly smaller, more manageable ones
harmless distractions that steal your productivity, things like:
• Use a planner or calendar
• Notifications: Time slips away as you deal with email notifications to keep track of everything
and chat messages constantly interrupting your workflow and schedule buffer times
in between tasks and
• Social Media/Web Browsing: Two minutes to check a restaurant appointments to avoid
review, 10 minutes to catch up on headlines, five minutes checking feeling overwhelmed
in on social media —it adds up fast
• Prioritize tasks based on
• Disorganized Workflow: Lack of prioritization and poorly structured importance and urgency. Tackle
work processes rob valuable time from both you and others waiting challenging tasks during your
on your work
peak productivity hours. Say
• Procrastination/Distraction: Putting off your work just creates stress “no” to low-priority requests
and anxiety that don’t align with your goals.
• Multitasking: Multitasking seems efficient in theory but results in • Shut down those time thieves
tasks taking longer by turning off distracting
notifications and scheduling
specific times to catch up on
RECLAIM YOUR LOST TIME WITH BETTER TIME emails, social media and texts
MANAGEMENT SKILLS • Use time-tracking or
productivity apps to stay
Effective time management not only improves productivity, but it also
reduces stress and anxiety and improves mood and energy levels. on track and accountable
• Take regular breaks
to avoid burnout

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