For many DLE members, their list of 2023 professional goals included getting a better grasp on their schedule. And that was the topic that sparked an exchange of practices for time management success among participants at the first DLE Meetup on Jan. 31.
Here are some outtakes of their unifying conversation:
- Opportunities are everything. If you can’t show up on time for an opportunity, that’s your fault. Make it your business to not waste time and to be on time.
- Set boundaries and communicate them with clear expectations. For example, if you are in a position where you approve purchase orders, set a specific time in your day when you’ll be working on that task–for example 8:30 AM on Mondays. Thus, if a team member needs a purchase order to be approved, it’s up to them to submit by that deadline rather than interrupting your day at 11:00 AM or 1:00 PM with requests.
- If a meeting is scheduled for 30 minutes, build 45 minutes into your schedule in order to leave 15 minutes for processing outcomes and refreshing.
- When you are on vacation, stay in that moment. Let team members know that you’ll be off the grid, and provide points of contact. Even better, plan a vacation spot with no cell service.
- Claim “you” time when you can. Commute time offers an ideal opportunity to focus on you rather than making work-related calls.
- Avoid back-to-back meetings. Separate them with time blocks to step away from your screen or get away from your desk for a stretch.
