Typical recommendations for better time management suggest turning off your e-mail or refusing to participate in some meetings. They are simply about how you manage your own time. What if, however, your time management measures cause problems for your colleagues or limit the operation of the whole office? Shouldn't you think about the impact on the people around you? This issue was recently addressed by Amy Gallo, author of popular management tips on the Harvard Business Review website. According to her, you can manage your time more efficiently in the following ways, while not harming your colleagues.
Choose productivity over availability
Spending too much effort pleasing others always hurts your productivity. First of all, you should realize that your ability to solve problems and complete tasks is more important than to being constantly available. You should focus less on the feelings of others and more on the strategic objectives of the company.
Ask your colleagues
Focusing less on the feelings of others of course does not mean disregarding them completely. Try to talk with your colleagues about the time management techniques you would like to try in the specific situation you are facing. Find out, for example, if someone would mind if you do not read e-mails for a certain part of or for a whole day when you are working on an important project. Thank them for their understanding and offer something in return.
Make the decisionDo not worry about your colleagues rejecting changes in your approach to time management. Try it and you will see. Help both yourself and them to understand that there is no need to feel guilty by trying to manage time better.
Explain what and why you want to change
Tell your colleagues why you will not participate in a meeting, why your computer is not turned on, etc. Sometimes it is enough to simply send an e-mail explaining that you will not be available for a specific time due to work on an important project. It will save you and others time. It is not advisable to just start behaving differently, others should know why.
Train others' expectations
Another part of your changes in time management should be to teach your co-workers what they can expect from you. If you respond to all e-mails immediately, you will show that you are available all the time. Try a change. Let others know that you will respond within 24 hours, for example, and stick to it.
Choose a suitable time
You should not change your time management habits at the time when the people around you are more busy and sensitive than usual. It should be a time when you are performing well, then others will have no fundamental objections.
Set an example
Try to inspire effective time management in your entire team. Introduce a discussion on how all of them can improve. Maybe the whole team will agree that it is enough to read e-mails twice a day and participate in meetings only if participation is really necessary.
-Kk-