Good Intentions - 5 strategies to help manage your time

As a workplace coach supporting neurodifferent clients in their work environment, it’s almost a given that, at some point, the challenges of managing the workload, juggling competing priorities, and staying present in a task for long enough, will be raised by the client.

In a world dominated by apps and assistive technology, its natural that we turn to these tools to help us with these challenges. And there are many apps and assistive technologies that have a lot to offer when it comes to helping us prioritise, plan, and generally get things done.

In this blog we’ll visit strategies aimed at helping you manage your time.

Stay Focused written in large font on a notepad

Technological Temptations

The promise of an application that can manage all of these challenges for us is very tempting. But, although there are many advantages to using assistive technology and apps to help us manage our workload, there are also some downsides. For many applications to work effectively it often requires a great deal of information to be input and if this application is not being used by the whole organisation it can mean having to, for example, keep the team calendar up-to-date as well as our application’s calendar. Essentially, the duplication of work.

Additionally, many applications have quite a steep learning curve. In my case, I enjoy the novelty of using a new piece of software to help me manage my workload and often fool myself into thinking that my “playing” with the application and getting everything set up just right is helping my productivity, but in fact, it’s just me procrastinating!

Although applications that help us manage and plan our working lives can be extremely useful, it’s also important that we learn to cultivate a mindset that prioritizes mindfulness and intentionality. Rather than relying solely on productivity apps or rigid routines, instead work with intention and stay focused on your goals. This approach helps you remain adaptable and resilient in the face of distractions and challenges.

5 Strategies for Managing your Time Effectively:

1.Intentional Scheduling

Block focused work sessions can be effective, treat them as sacred. Schedule dedicated time blocks for deep work and protect these periods from interruptions. Communicate your availability to colleagues and set boundaries to ensure you can work without distractions. By treating these sessions as non-negotiable, you can give yourself the best chance of staying focused.

2.Monotasking Over Multitasking

Multitasking is ineffective; focus on one task at a time. Research has shown that multitasking can reduce productivity and increase stress. Instead, practice monotasking by dedicating your full attention to a single task at a time. This approach not only enhances your productivity but also promotes brain health and reduces cognitive overload.

3.End-of-Day Ritual

Write down three priorities for the next morning. At the end of each day, take a few minutes to reflect on your accomplishments and identify the top three priorities for the next day. This ritual helps you end the day on a high note and start the next day with clarity and purpose.

4.Using your Calendar as To-Do List

Schedule tasks into your calendar to ensure they get done. Treat your calendar as a to-do list by blocking time for specific tasks and commitments. Prioritize tasks and commit to them by turning them into a plan. This method ensures that important tasks are not overlooked and helps you stay organized and focused.

5.Weekly Planning

Plan the next week every Friday to start the week with clarity. Set aside time each Friday to review your progress, reflect on your priorities, and plan for the upcoming week. This practice helps you start the week with a clear sense of direction and sets the stage for a productive and focused week.

How Can Workplace Coaching Help?

The strategies and techniques that will be most effective for you may include both established methods and unique approaches, and it can be challenging to find the time and acquire the knowledge to explore this on your own. Having the support and guidance of a Workplace Coach to help identify and understand what works best for you can be extremely powerful.

By working more “mindfully” and with “clear intention”, we may find that our productivity applications and software, whether that be Microsoft Outlook or a highly specialised productivity app, become significantly more effective as tools rather than mere supports, or in my case, excuses for procrastination!

Interested in Learning More?

Our workplace strategy coaching aims to enable the client to explore and implement strategies in order to tackle specific challenges (such as time management) or situations.

If you are interested in learning more about our workplace strategy coaching, find out more here- Discover Workplace Coaching

About the author

Mark, a bald man with a black jumper standing smiling at the camera

Mark Woodward

Head of Workplace Adjustments

Mark has worked in the field of neurodiversity for more than 12 years and has a wealth of knowledge and expertise in supporting not just people but also teams, managers, and organisations, from creating comprehensive programmes to individual training and coaching.

Prior experience in senior management and operational roles has given Mark an important understanding and awareness of both the needs of the organisation, managers, and of the individual employee.

Connect with Mark on LinkedIn.

Good Intentions – 5 strategies to help manage your time