What are some essential time management skills?

“Time management” refers to the way that you organize and plan how long you spend on specific activities.

It may seem counter-intuitive to dedicate precious time to learning about time management, instead of using it to get on with your work, but the benefits are enormous:

• Greater productivity and efficiency.
• A better professional reputation.
• Less stress.
• Increased opportunities for advancement.
• Greater opportunities to achieve important life and career goals.

Failing to manage your time effectively can have some very undesirable consequences:

• Missed deadlines.
• Inefficient work flow.
• Poor work quality.
• A poor professional reputation and a stalled career.
• Higher stress levels.

Time Management requires executives to identify the importance and urgency of work, at hand. It involves the3 P`s: planning, prioritizing and performing. Some executives are good at planning but fall short when it comes to execution. Time wasters like escape activities could be eliminated. Recently, I met executives preparing for travel to the airport, up to2 months in advance. How absurd?

 At other times, contingencies involving lack of time management skills  are to be taken into account. In certain cultures, deadlines are never considered and time management is all about entertaining oneself.Great amounts of patience and tact is required, to handle such teams as it leads to increased levels of stress. 

However, once you achieve mastery in time management skills you could be in demand. Indeed, time is money.  

The ability to complete the work as soon as possible and the best results

Here are  ways that you can use to improve your time management skills and increase productivity.

1. Delegate Tasks: It is common for all of us to take more tasks than our desired potential. This can often result in stress and burnout. Delegation is not running away from your responsibilities but is an important function of management. Learn the art of delegating work to your subordinates as per their skills and abilities.

2. Prioritize Work: Before the start of the day, make a list of tasks that need your immediate attention as unimportant tasks can consume much of your precious time. Some tasks need to be completed on that day only while other unimportant tasks could be carried forward to next day.  In short, prioritize your tasks to focus on those that are more important.

3. Avoid Procrastination: Procrastination is one of the things that badly affect the productivity. It can result in wasting essential time and energy. It should be avoided at all costs. It could be a major problem in both your career and your personal life.

4. Schedule Tasks: Carry a planner or notebook with you and list all the tasks that come to your mind. Make a simple ‘To Do’ list before the start of the day, prioritize the tasks, and make sure that they are attainable. To better manage your time management skills, you may think of making3 lists: work, home and personal.

5. Avoid Stress: Stress often occurs when we accept more work than our ability. The result is that our body starts feeling tired which can affect our productivity. Instead, delegate tasks to your juniors and make sure to leave some time for relaxation.

6. Set up Deadlines: When you have a task at hand, set a realistic deadline and stick to it. Try to set a deadline few days before the task so that you can complete all those tasks that may get on the way. Challenge yourself and meet the deadline. Reward yourself for meeting a difficult challenge.

7. Avoid Multitasking: Most of us feel that multitasking is an efficient way of getting things done but the truth is that we do better when we focus and concentrate on one thing. Multitasking hampers productivity and should be avoided to improve time management skills.

8. Start Early: Most of the successful men and women have one thing in common. They start their day early as it gives them time to sit, think and plan their day. When you get up early, you are more calm, creative, and clear-headed. As the day progresses, your energy levels starts going down which affects your productivity and you don’t perform as well.

9. Take Some Breaks: Whenever you find yourself for- minutes, take a break. Too much stress can take toll on your body and affect your productivity. Take a walk, listen to some music or do some quick stretches. The best idea is to take off from work and spend time with your friends and family.

. Learn to say No: Politely refuse to accept additional tasks if you think that you’re already overloaded with work. Take a look at your ‘To Do’ list before agreeing to take on extra work.

> Daily Tasks checklist with frequently review and update.

> Segregation of important and urgent tasks.

> Planning of your day.

> Stuck with plan.

> Take healthy breaks among tasks to refresh yourself

1. Goal Setting
2. Proritisation
3. Slef-awareness
4. Self motivation
5. Focus
6. Decision making
7. Planning
8. Communication skills
9. Questioning and chellenging
10. Delegation/outsourcing

First make list of your assignments/tasks. Review the important ones and number them like1/2/3. Thereafter execute the tasks one by one owning to their importance. 

Full Agree With All Expert Answers

First we should think deeply in this quote:

The bad news is that time flies. The good news is that you are the pilot".

Michael Altshuler

You should follow the following exactly:

Setting SMART Goals

Prioritizing Your Time

Planning Wisely

Overcome procrastination

Organizing Your Workspace

Setting a Ritual

Finally, also think deeply in this quote:

Harvey Mackay:

•          Time is free, but it's priceless. You can't own it, but you can use it. You can't keep it, but you can spend it. Once you've lost it, you can never get it back.

analysis our past position of business with current situation n prepare necessory recomendations.

prioritize your tasks as per its nature of criticality and urgency. keep stake holders posted.