- Some individuals are blessed to be what I call focus masters. These are individuals who have never had any issue with time management whatsoever. The biggest challenge for these people is the disorganization of everyone else around them. I'd like to provide a few tips for you focus masters, to help you find a little more patience and guidance with how to deal with the struggles of others. First, be understanding of others. Most people are struggling with time management.
In fact, when I speak, I usually do a straw poll of the audience and find that 95% of them or more are having significant time management challenges. Just having that expectation in your mind will perhaps help you be more patient with others. Second, provide a clear when. And when I say when, I mean when you ask someone to do something, give them a deadline, give them a date of when you expect it from them. And if they ask you to do something, ask the same from them.
When do they want that from you. This will help both of you stay on track. Third, build buffer into your schedule. Now you may be perfect with your time management. However, because others aren't, they're very likely to interrupt you. If you build a little extra room, a little open space into your day, you'll be prepared when those inevitable interruptions occur. Fourth, provide reminders for people. This means that midway between the point at which an assignment is due, we want to just send out a little reminder.
Hey, looking forward to getting this from you. And perhaps, just the day before, we send another reminder. Remember, 95% or more of people are struggling with time management. Because you don't, you can help them out. And number five is follow up. Consistently, the day after an assignment is due, we want to follow up with people. Now, we want to do this always, not just when they didn't do the assignment, but when they did do it. That way you can compliment them or say, "Hey, thank you for being on top of this." The more other people see your example, the more they will expect it of themselves, that they can do better with time management.
And this will help recondition their behavior and their way of thinking, which will help them improve, as well.
Author
Updated
4/15/2019Released
4/11/2016Productivity expert Dave Crenshaw provides techniques on a wide variety of topics, designed to help people better manage their time and ultimately become more productive. Tune in to learn about everything from managing emails and calendars to setting priorities, collaborating with coworkers, reducing interruptions, crafting a "productivity mindset," and creating a more comfortable and effective work environment.
Have an idea for a future video from Dave? Submit it using our course feedback form. If you want more time management strategies now, we recommend watching Dave's Time Management Fundamentals course.
- Reducing interruptions
- Dealing with feeling overwhelmed
- Responding to quick questions
- Making the most of meetings
- Following up
- Implementing a closed door, open calendar policy
Skill Level Intermediate
Duration
Views
Q: Why can't I earn a Certificate of Completion for this course?
A: We publish a new tutorial or tutorials for this course on a regular basis. We are unable to offer a Certificate of Completion because it is an ever-evolving course that is not designed to be completed. Check back often for new movies.
Related Courses
-
Excel Tips Weekly
with Dennis Taylor32h 57m Intermediate -
Time Management Fundamentals
with Dave Crenshaw2h 53m Intermediate -
Improving Your Focus
with Dave Crenshaw56m 3s Intermediate -
Time Management: Working from Home
with Dave Crenshaw1h 25m Intermediate
-
Introduction
-
Welcome43s
-
-
1. Time Management Tips
-
Power tips for sending email3m 14s
-
Positive procrastination3m 15s
-
Remove the "busy" tag2m 58s
-
Manage digital interruptions4m 19s
-
Make the most of meetings2m 52s
-
Follow up on delegated items2m 58s
-
Become tech savvy4m 33s
-
Focus on the person2m 37s
-
Time management for students2m 59s
-
Ending meetings with action1m 44s
-
Building a not-to-do list2m 46s
-
Avoiding the crowd mindset2m 58s
-
Placing a value on your time3m 30s
-
How to schedule a meeting3m 35s
-
How to develop flexibility4m 19s
-
The trouble with texting3m 48s
-
Create a perhaps list4m 58s
-
Reduce attention switches4m 46s
-
Adapt your favorite app4m 33s
-
Make time to get more time3m 49s
-
Read vs. unread email3m 52s
-
Make time to have fun3m 57s
-
Create a morning ritual3m 23s
-
When to create new homes3m 26s
-
How to reduce spam3m 48s
-
Why repetition saves time2m 48s
-
Productive passwords2m 3s
-
Productive web browser tips1m 51s
-
Writing a productive email1m 55s
-
Commit to your calendar1m 54s
-
What to say instead of ASAP1m 46s
-
Set voicemail expectations1m 43s
-
Set email expectations1m 46s
-
How to use an inbox1m 41s
-
How to use an outbox1m 53s
-
- Mark as unwatched
- Mark all as unwatched
Are you sure you want to mark all the videos in this course as unwatched?
This will not affect your course history, your reports, or your certificates of completion for this course.
CancelTake notes with your new membership!
Type in the entry box, then click Enter to save your note.
1:30Press on any video thumbnail to jump immediately to the timecode shown.
Notes are saved with you account but can also be exported as plain text, MS Word, PDF, Google Doc, or Evernote.
Share this video
Embed this video
Video: Handling the inefficiency of others