​Don’t get more done, give yourself less to do

Do less

Isn’t that a refreshing thought? With this in mind, here are independent procurement consultant Naomi Clews' top tips on how to organise our time in a way that makes our workload suddenly manageable (yes, Naomi really believes this is possible!)

Time management is key to getting things done. But what is time management?
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You cannot stop time or create extra time, but you can manage your time to determine what is achievable in any given hour, day, week, month or year.

Time management is not only a skill to help you to get more done, but also a form of self-improvement which you can carry through your life, outside of the office.

Here are a few tips on how to implement effective time management. 

Decipher what you can control versus what you can’t 
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The first step to getting things done is to only focus on what you can control.

Always remember that you can only control yourself, so focus on your own ability, focus on your own success, and focus on your own positive attributes.

Likewise, keep a positive mindset and focus on the obstacles you can overcome rather than the ones you cannot overturn or get around.
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Analysing what you wish you could change is just a distraction so avoid obsessing over anything trivial or unnecessary, and don’t get distracted by the silly things which are never going to matter in the long run anyway.
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People who struggle with control are often more likely to succeed if they follow a routine.

​Creating a routine can take away pressures, particularly relating to time, as it helps you to determine what you can get done in a certain time, and it also aids in streamlining processes so that you can get things done quicker.

Determine where to spend your focus and your time
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The second step to getting things done is to filter everything which comes into your working life and organise it in a way which ensures you don’t get swamped in a pit of unnecessary tasks or paperwork.

Office environments are particularly awash with meetings, memos, new rules and regulations, team briefings to name but a few.

Although these all hold weight, most do not affect the work you are desperately trying to get done.

Don’t be distracted by anything which doesn’t serve your own interests, or which doesn’t drive or excite you. If you do, your lack of passion may show in the work you produce and you run the risk of under achieving.
Take note of everything but clear it from your mind as you work so you don’t get swamped by all the finer details.
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Additionally, always make sure that you are working on a plan which has been set by yourself and is not subject to another person’s demands. Avoid being a people pleaser and stick to your plans as much as you can.

Only focus on what is truly important
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It is so easy to get overwhelmed and rush about spending too much time on things which really aren’t that important. But you must draw a line and only focus on the task at hand or the item which is of top priority at that given moment.

This is the final step to getting things done, push aside any thoughts and feelings you have swirling around inside your head. Avoid negative thoughts such as ‘it didn’t work last time; it’s not going to work again’ etc. Every day is a new opportunity to improve and achieve and you should never let self-doubt get in your way.
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It is also important to avoid distraction by not focusing on what others are doing and not spending too much time obsessing over trivial things.
For example:  The things that others achieve quicker, the promotions you are missing out on or your ambition to be better than somebody else within your field.
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Focus on the present and on you and your achievements to give yourself a better chance of proving yourself on your own merits.

About the author
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Naomi Clews

Naomi Clews is a Lichfield, Staffordshire based independent procurement consultant who assists her clients in applying good time management to the UK Government procurement process. Find out more here.