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HR Intern Illovo, Johannesburg

Time management: Four key workplace habits to apply

14 Jan 2015

In the current downturn of the economy, people want to know what to do when times are tough. The truth of the matter is that when markets are buoyant, clients are often more optimistic and open to change. As a result they will be far more comfortable to try new things or implement initiatives and projects. In times of uncertainty, clients are more risk averse and not likely to be enthusiastic about change.

Neville de Lucia

There are four key habits that we can apply when the going gets tough:

Tighten your belt: Be conscious of maximising your time effectively and plan your day to meet multiple clients. By limiting travel time, you can be more productive in preparing for the next meeting or checking your inbox;

Rethink your behaviour: A wise man once said: "Give your best to your best." Loyal behaviour often goes a long way - ask yourself which clients are supporting you and what additional value-added services can you offer them in order to guarantee their ongoing loyalty and a mutually beneficial relationship?

Identify the critical activities and prioritise their application: Create a to-do list for the month or year and divide them up monthly to make them measurable and realistic. From the list, select the top-six items that you have to achieve daily that will allow you to reach your monthly and yearly objectives. Continuously review your workload, keep multitasking to a minimum and set realistic deadlines in order to be productive; and

Know what your calendar looks like two weeks in advance: If you fail to plan, you plan to fail. Book your diary two weeks in advance to manage stress levels and help avoid a last-minute crisis that may arise. A good idea would be to colour code the appointments to see your activities at a glance and ensure that you reach your monthly or yearly goals.

Having activities listed in a calendar means the day starts with what you have planned to do. Far too often our inbox determines our to-do list, making us less productive. In order to survive in a down economy it is important to plan your work to help you adapt to change and be proactive with business activities and be more client focused.