TIME MANAGEMENT¶

Clarity about life goals¶

As a project manager, being part of a team, a sub-organisation, or an organisation means that decisions have an impact on the team, the organisation, as well as one's own family and society. The most important step is therefore to become aware of this interconnectedness. Effective time management requires clarity about life goals. This can be achieved through:

1. The eulogy
   The eulogy method is a reflection technique in which you imagine which goals and achievements should be mentioned in a hypothetical eulogy about your own life.

2. Zero-zero reflection
   Zero-zero reflection is a creative technique for setting your own life goals, for all those who have no time. Over a period of two weeks, the time spent on the toilet is used to note down all possible private and professional goals and thus gain a better overview of one's own life goals.

The topics recognised in this way provide information about the mission, strategic direction, wishes and ideas about life.

Time management methods [32]¶

If these important topics for the project manager are defined with measures and deadlines, further tasks can be grouped around these topics, qualified time management can be carried out and suitable methods can be used.

Time plays a central role in self-management. Efficient time management not only protects your own health, but also saves the company money, as a poorly organised employee generally works inefficiently.

The following three success factors form the basis for efficient time management:

Prioritise¶

The Eisenhower matrix, for example, can be used to prioritise tasks. This involves prioritising tasks into four categories according to their importance and urgency. The appropriate strategy for dealing with the tasks is then selected.

The ability to say no¶

A project manager must learn to say no to the team and also to their superiors and overcome the fear of making themselves unpopular. If they do not learn to say no, they will eventually fall victim to burnout syndrome. Body and mind will no longer function effectively and serious physical and mental damage may even occur. Saying no is not only acceptable, but also a sign of personal strength.

The ability to delegate¶

An effective project manager recognises that they cannot and should not complete all tasks themselves. Delegating tasks to suitable team members can both reduce their own workload and promote the expertise of the team members. This requires a clear understanding of the strengths and weaknesses of the team in order to assign the right people to the right tasks. Targeted delegation not only saves time, but also strengthens team dynamics and trust within the group. Ultimately, this leads to greater efficiency and better results.

Other tools¶

In addition to these three main methods of time management, there are a variety of tools to help you prioritise and manage your time: - Scheduling and tracking deadlines - Use of filing, documentation and archiving systems - Creating a calm working environment - Utilising modern communication and information methods