Introduction

Some say there is nothing more precious than time so, as with all things that are precious to us, we should not waste it! There is no place where we can store unused time so we can use it later or recycle wasted time so we can use it in some other way; once it’s gone it’s gone! A poor use of time can lead to issues with:

• personal productivity at work which may affect your personal finances and your long-term career aspirations;

• relationship problems at home;

• health problems brought on by stress and anxiety;

all of which means it is in your interest to make sure you are managing your time to best effect.

Unfortunately, there are many calls on your time and some of those calls are from others who demand your time. While some of these calls you will be happy to answer there will be other calls coming from ‘time stealers’ who are, potentially, diverting you from using your time in the way you wish to use it. To minimise the impact of time stealers you will need a range coping strategies to help you. As well as managing others you will need to find ways to manage your personal efficiently.

Aims

The aim of this course is to provide you with a number of strategies and a range of tools and techniques to help you manage your time more effectively.

Objectives

By the end of the programme delegates will be able to:

• Recognise signs of chronic disorganisation;

• Describe how to keep your desk clear of clutter and create a filing system;

• Identify the most common interruptions of working time and ways to eliminate them;

• Determine why and where you procrastinate and overcome procrastination;

• Demonstrate an ability to apply the practical techniques, concepts and strategies.

Methods: this two-day programme will feature presentations, exercises and case studies.

Duration: 2 days

Class size:

To ensure maximum benefit for each delegate it is recommended that the class size for this programme does not exceed 16.

Who it's for: Everyone who needs to plan and manage their time.

Course Content

Day 1

An introduction to time management

• Defining time management;

• Acknowledging the need to manage your time;

• Exploring the demands on your time;

• Acknowledging that we sometimes procrastinate.

The concept of life planning

• Building your personal vision;

• Setting life goal;

• Establishing your priorities;

• Reconciling life goals with work goals – the work/life balance;

• Using the “walkback” technique to set medium - and short - term goals.

The time management territory

• The time management wheel;

• The time management matrix;

• How to schedule your time;

• Time management is self-management – building regimes for health and fitness.

Day 2

Time management strategies

• How to use your time effectively;

• Dealing with casual visitors;

• How to say “no;”

• How to avoid the “management by crisis” approach.

Organising yourself

• Dealing with telephone interruptions;

• Identifying and dealing with time wasters – creating “A” time;

• Controlling your reading;

• Keeping an uncluttered working environment;

• The 5S process.

Improving your personal productivity

• Creating “to do” lists;

• Handling paper;

• Managing emails;

• Creating filing systems – storage and retrieval;

• What to worry about and what not to worry about;

• How to deal with procrastination.

Group Coaching session: solving your biggest time management problem.