Wellness Seminar

Effective Time Management

Julie Johnson, LPC, CEAP

2

Time Management Quiz

Which of the following statements are TRUE?

1. Most of our problems could be resolved if we only had more time.

2. Our lives are largely controlled by time.

3. We can squeeze more activities into our schedule if we really want to.

4. People are naturally disorganized and, as a result, will always experience time-related stress.

3

Seminar Goals

• Identify barriers to effective time management

• Learn to prioritize your time to achieve your goals, both personally and professionally

• Learn techniques to help you manage time more effectively

• Know the benefits of your EAP

4

What’s Stopping You?

1. Not deciding what deserves your time

2. Not letting go of unnecessary control

3. Not being assertive about your time

4. Being a perfectionist

Adapted from “Managing Your Time”, University College and Extension Services, California State University, Long Beach

5

Where Does the Time Go?

Adapted from The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People,

by Stephen Covey

URGENT NOT URGENT

IMPORTANT

I ACTIVITIES:

Crises, pressing problems, deadline-driven projects

II ACTIVITIES:

Exercise, long-range planning, preparation, preventive maintenance, relationship building, personal growth activities, some leisure

NOT IMPORTANT

III ACTIVITIES:

Interruptions, some calls, some mail, some reports, some meetings

IV ACTIVITIES:

Trivia, busy work, some mail, some calls, time wasters, some pleasant activities

6

Decide What Deserves Your Time

• Identify Your Roles

• Select Your Goals

• Schedule

• Daily Adapting

7

Let Go of Unnecessary Control

Delegation

– Gofer delegation

– Stewardship delegation

• Desired results

• Guidelines

• Resources

• Accountability

• ConsequencesAdapted from

The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People,

by Stephen Covey

8

Be Assertive About Your Time

• What will I gain from this?

• Will the time spent on it be worth it?

• Will I be resentful/angry if I say “yes”?

• Can someone else do it?

10

Learn To Not Be Perfect

• Set realistic expectations

• Deal with your fear of failure

• Let go

• Look at the big picture

11

Keep a Time Log

• Track your time for 3-7 days

• Decide if the activities were worth the time spent on them

• Pinpoint consistent distractions/interruptions

• Look at transition times—how efficiently do you spend that time?

Adapted from Time-Management-Guide.com

12

Analyzing Time Wasters

Internal

• Procrastination

• Failure to delegate

• Failure to set priorities

• Failure to plan

• Poor scheduling

• Lack of self-discipline

• Attempting to do too much at once

External

• Interruptions

• Meetings

• Visitors

• Socializing

• Poor communication

• Red tape

• Excessive paperwork

13

Managing Email• Your email inbox is not necessarily your

“to-do” list

• Remove your name from unnecessary distribution lists

• Check your email only when you have enough time allocated to respond to them

• Disable any audio or visual signals that alert you to new emails

• Avoid “shuffling” emails

• Learn to prioritize

Adapted from Dr. Donald Wetmore

Productivity Institute

14

General Time Management Techniques

• Use a calendar, date book, PDA or computer software

• Make a daily task list

• Rank activities

• Plan ahead

• Schedule yourself first

16

Benefits of the EAP

• Confidential

• Prepaid

• Available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week

• Appointment offered within 2 business days

• Telephonic consultation available

• Household benefit

• Child care, elder care, and legal concerns