Time Management Tips for IT Pros

As an IT professional, do you often feel as though the clock runs your schedule? Whether you’re currently working from home or you’re in the office, you may be feeling swamped. If you’re constantly running behind, it’s time to take control of your schedule and reclaim your time! Not only can poor time management affect your performance, but it can have a negative chain reaction on your entire department and organization. The good news is that sharpening your time management habits is relatively easy with these three key strategies:

1. Eliminate distractions.

Though it may sound obvious, it’s critical first to eliminate any distractions you experience on the job, such as social media, emails and text messages. Simple steps like putting your phone on silent or reserving your lunch break to check personal emails can do wonders in helping you stay focused on your work tasks at hand. If there are external circumstances in the office that distract you – such as a noisy coworker – consider politely asking them to keep their voice down. When it comes to creating a more distraction-free work environment, little steps can go a long way!

2. Avoid multitasking.

While multi-tasking has a role in certain functions of daily living, it serves little purpose on the job. Though multitasking may appear to make you more productive on the surface, it can quickly derail your performance by diverting your attention to a multitude of tasks – without allowing you to focus on any one function of your job at a high level. This is not only detrimental to your job performance but your mental state and focus. If you’re used to multi-tasking, start to focus your time and energy on one responsibility at a time. By using a to-do list in which you check off your completed tasks, you’ll keep yourself motivated and feel greater satisfaction as you get through a day’s work.  

3. Monitor how your time is spent.

In any daily routine, time is your biggest asset – and how you spend your time can often determine your performance outcomes. The only way to truly gauge your time is by monitoring and tracking how it’s spent regularly. You can do this by recording how much time you spend each week or month on certain activities and functions of your job, such as analyzing and supporting computer systems, consulting with employees about issues, or developing new tech solutions. By monitoring how your time is spent, you’ll be able to identify the areas of your performance that require more attention and dial down on the areas that require less.  

In many ways, effective time management can transform your productivity and ultimately help you accelerate your career. Proactively making time management a priority will allow you to be the best version of yourself on the job while reducing your stress levels and helping you feel more fulfilled professionally.  

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