We’ve all heard the saying, “Manage your time, or it will manage you”. Listen, we’re all busy and trying to get as much done as possible in our workday. Time management isn’t about getting as many tasks done as possible each day, it’s about streamlining your work processes to make you more efficient. When you look up the term “Time Management” online, you will get more than a few theories and practices on how to go about achieving this goal. Let’s unpack a few of them…

Time Blocking Technique

Time blocking is a process where you create a structure for your day for different tasks. Instead of working by the clock, you focus on finishing big and small tasks one at a time. Take a look at all the tasks you have to complete and estimate the time it will take to complete. Then set up blocks of time during your day to focus on those tasks. This process is to help you limit distractions and get things done faster. 

The Pickle Jar Theory

The pickle jar theory, one used by Steven Covey, uses the imagery of a pickle jar. The jar is your day and represents the fixed amount of time one has to get things done. The jar is then filled first with large rocks, then pebbles, then sand. Rocks represent your big tasks, pebbles medium tasks, and sand are small tasks. If you fill your day doing small tasks, you will never have room or time to complete large ones. 

Eisenhower Method 

In 1954, president Dwight D. Eisenhower said, “I have two kinds of problems: the urgent and the important. The urgent are not important, and the important are never urgent.” Important activities are typically ones that help you achieve your goals, whereas urgent activities focus on other people’s goals. Using the Eisenhower method helps you understand which goals are important versus urgent, allowing you to decide which tasks to focus your time on. 

Bullet Journal System

The bullet journal system is a system where one takes notes quickly using page and numbers, titles, and different bullet icons to distinguish tasks. It uses modules that allow you to organize the notes you are taking in different ways. The purpose of the bullet system is to jot down incoming information and daily tasks, so they are processed, executed, and don’t go forgotten. 

Pomodoro Technique

This theory created in the 1980’s is the idea of breaking your day into 30 minute chunks, where you work for 25 minutes and then break for 5. These 25 minute periods of work are called Pomodoros. Then, after every 4 Pomodoros, your break time gets a little longer. 

Now, we’ve only just scratched the surface on time management techniques and theories, but don’t worry! Here at P1 Learning, we focus in on several time management techniques to ensure that time doesn’t manage you. Log into your training account or sign up for a free 7-day demo our time management based courses and other relevant courses today.