Time is a finite resource that everyone has the same amount of. However, some people seem to get more done with their time than others. The difference usually lies in their time management skills. Effective time management can help you achieve more without the stress and anxiety that comes with falling behind on work or commitments. As an individual in the skilled trades industry, you need to make the most of your time to ensure you deliver projects timely and efficiently. In this blog post, we will delve into the power of time management and how you can accomplish more with less stress in the skilled trades industry.
First, let’s look at some statistics. According to a survey by Salary.com, only 17% of people say they are productive for all eight hours they spend at work, while 39% admit to wasting time at work every day. This lack of productivity is costly for businesses, with the US economy losing $411 billion annually due to lost productivity. In the skilled trades industry, time is money, which means that any waste of time can directly impact project delivery and profitability.
Furthermore, a study by Workfront found that workers spend only 39% of their time on core job duties, with the rest being taken up by attending meetings, answering calls, checking email, and other distractions. This statistic highlights the importance of time management to ensure that your core duties are not neglected.
Now, let’s look at how you can accomplish more with less stress in the skilled trades industry using effective time management techniques.
1. Set Goals and Prioritize Tasks
Setting clear goals and priorities ensures that you know what you need to do and when you need to do it. As a skilled trades professional, you should know what contributes to project completion in terms of tasks, deadlines, and realistic expectations. By prioritizing tasks, you can focus on the tasks that are most important and require immediate attention. You can use the popular time management matrix by Stephen Covey, which categorizes tasks as urgent and important, not urgent but important, urgent but not important, and neither urgent nor important. By focusing on the urgent and important tasks, you can prevent last-minute panic, which often results in added stress.
2. Use Time Management Tools
Technology has made it easier than ever to manage your time. Tools like calendars, task lists, reminders, and apps can help you stay organized and on top of your tasks. Some popular time management tools include Trello, Asana, and Todoist. These tools help you prioritize tasks, set deadlines, and collaborate with colleagues, ensuring that you never forget important tasks.
3. Delegate Tasks
Delegating tasks is a fundamental aspect of time management. You should delegate tasks that you do not have the expertise to perform or those that are not part of your core responsibilities to others. This frees up your time to focus on your core duties and ensures that everything is done by the right person with the right level of skill.
4. Schedule Breaks
Taking regular breaks can boost your productivity and prevent burnout. Schedule short breaks throughout the day to recharge and re-energize. This can be as simple as taking a walk, stretching, or having a cup of tea. Breaks can help reduce stress and improve creativity, making you more productive when you return to work.
5. Avoid Distractions
Distractions are one of the biggest challenges to effective time management. Common distractions include social media, email notifications, and personal phone calls. To avoid distractions, you can turn off notifications for non-work-related apps and set specific times to check your email or social media. Also, ensure that your work environment is conducive to concentration and free from distractions like loud music and unnecessary chatter.
Bottom Line
Time management is essential for any skilled trades professional looking to accomplish more with less stress. By setting goals, prioritizing tasks, delegating duties, using time management tools, scheduling breaks, and avoiding distractions, you can manage your time effectively and improve your productivity. Remember, time is limited, and every minute counts when you have deadlines to meet. By managing your time effectively, you can complete projects on time and achieve your desired outcomes.
