Time Management Tips for Not-For-Profits
Where does the time go? With these helpful time-management tips, you’ll know.
Authored by: iClick2Learn Team
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Time Management Tips for Not-For-Profits
“Time Management” is planning and organising how much time you spend on specific activities. So is it a good use of your time to learn about time management? Absolutely. You might be surprised how efficient and productive you are after using a few simple tools and techniques.
If you’re a not-for-profit employee or volunteer, good time management will help you make the most of your day and stay on track. As your skills improve, you can enjoy greater clarity and confidence while stressing less.
Time Management Benefits
Having better time management can make you feel like you found “extra” hours in the day. And who doesn’t want that? Even though managing and organising the day might sound limiting, it actually frees you from distractions and procrastination.
Strong time management skills produce the following benefits:
- Improved work-life balance
- Higher levels of productivity
- More energy
- Reduced stress levels
- Increased confidence
- Fewer time-consuming distractions
Whether you are a not-for-profit volunteer or paid staff member, the boundaries and structure of good time management can make you feel more productive and focused than ever.
Time Management Strategies
- Use an hourly calendar. [link to the tool here] Planning your day to the hour might sound hard. But once you get used to it, it’s an easy way to make a clear plan. Once your calendar becomes a habit, you’ll better understand how long daily tasks or activities take. Mapping your day is empowering because writing down your goals supports clarity and motivation.
- Don’t let your inbox rule your day. In an always-connected world, it can be tempting to check messages and emails every few minutes. But living at the mercy of messages is distracting and counter-productive. Set aside designated times, ten minutes here and there, to check and respond to messages. This way, you can complete the tasks at hand on time and with total focus.
- Prioritize wisely. Prioritize your tasks based on urgency and importance. This step can help you avoid unnecessary stress and overload.
- Take breaks between tasks. It can be tempting to plow through, but taking regular breaks will help you stay fresh, alert. On your breaks, try moving around, getting some fresh air, staying hydrated, or grabbing a healthy snack.
- Put your phone in its place. Although it can feel risky, it’s healthy to create boundaries with your devices. Don’t be afraid to put your phone in another room while you focus on projects. You will produce better work and avoid social media or news rabbit holes during the hours you set aside for work.
Time Management: Conclusion
It’s tempting to wake up each day and hit the ground running. Life is so fast-paced, diving into your workload can seem like the best option. But taking time to build out your schedule and set boundaries can save you time and frustration in the long run.
Check out our video series: Setting up Your Home Office to maximize minutes and focus even more. We’ve got some great tips on what equipment works best, how to do risk assessments, when to press pause, and more.