Self-Management for the Busy Professional
Jonathan Osler is an educator who specializes in teaching business professionals how to manage themselves. This article discusses the importance of managing one’s time and resources to accomplish tasks. Whether a new entrepreneur or seasoned professional, it is important that people take some time for themselves every day so that work doesn’t consume them entirely. Osler has developed strategies that can help balance your workload and ensure the success and achievement of tasks.
One of the most important things to remember is that not everything is urgent and not everything is important. In order to effectively manage your time, one needs to be able to distinguish between the two. Sometimes, we can get caught up in the urgency of a task without taking the time to determine its importance. This can lead to wasted time and resources. For example, when was the last time one checked Facebook or Twitter accounts? For most people, it is probably in the morning when they first get to work, before lunch, and during the afternoon break. This might not seem like a big deal at first glance but think about all of the other things that could occupy time during those periods if they weren’t checking their social media accounts.
It is important to develop a plan and organize time wisely. This means setting priorities and determining what can be accomplished in a certain amount of time. For example, if one has a project due in two weeks, break it down into smaller tasks that can be completed within a day. It is important to understand when most productive and when least productive. Each person has unique energy levels throughout the day. Some people might be more energetic in the morning, while others prefer working at night time after a long and stressful day at work. Figure out what works best and try to schedule your most difficult tasks during those times.
Also, try to eliminate distractions. This could include turning off notifications on phones and laptops, working in a quiet environment, or avoiding people who like to chat unnecessarily. It is also helpful to have specific times set aside for checking emails and voicemails. Try not to constantly check them as this can easily lead to wasted time.
In order to be successful, Jonathan Osler believes it is important to take some time for oneself every day. This could include taking a break after work to relax or doing something enjoyable outside of work. This will help reduce stress and allow one to come back to work with fresh energy. It is also important to set boundaries with co-workers and bosses. It is okay to say no every once in a while if one feels overwhelmed with tasks. In the long run, this will help one from being overworked and stressed out all the time.
One thing that entrepreneurs often forget is to treat their business like a real business. They get caught up in doing everything themselves instead of delegating responsibility to someone else. This can lead them to neglect important personal aspects of their lives, such as family and friends. Encourage oneself to work smarter and not harder by spending some time developing business instead of working all the time.