Soft skills, which can be loosely defined as transferable skills that are valuable in any industry, have become vital for job seekers. One of the most often mentioned soft skills is time management. But this skill can be further broken down into individual skills, all of which can help you become a better employee. Here’s what you should know.
Organizing
Organization is a basic building block of time management. You can’t be efficient or productive with your time if you keep wasting it looking for things. Update your calendar, organize your work space, and always take detailed notes.
Prioritizing
There simply aren’t enough hours in a day to accomplish everything. Knowing how to prioritize your tasks is key to strong time management. Put must-do projects at the top of the list, and then structure your day to get to as many things as possible in order of importance.
Breaking Down and Planning Complex Projects
Many work projects will take days, weeks, or even months to complete. A vital part of time management is understanding how to break them down into achievable chunks and how to schedule enough time to complete each piece.
Setting Goals
For your work projects, as well as your overall career path, to be successful, you’ll need to know how to set goals. Create lists of short-term, medium-term, and long-term goals, along with clear objectives. Learn to balance completing your short-term goals in a timely way while continuing to make progress on your medium-term and long-term goals.
Delegating
You can’t do everything by yourself, and it isn’t a good use of your time to try. Learn how to tell when something needs your personal attention versus when you can hand it off to someone else. Setting boundaries is an important aspect of this. Otherwise, you might take on too many things that only you can do.
Managing Stress
Did you know that stress can torpedo time management? You simply can’t maintain the focus needed to be a good time manager if you’re worried about other things. Find ways to practice self-care, from taking short breaks during the day to giving yourself small rewards for getting tasks done.
Ready for a New Position?
Are you looking for work? Custom Staffing can help! Take a look at our available positions, and then apply today.