Time Management

In this economy, I would venture to say that most organizations are running lean these days, which requires more than ever that we work smart! And for my team and me, it all boils down to time management. I've spent some time looking at best practices for managing time, in order to provide coaching on the matter, and have some tips to share.

Let's face it - change is hard for most people, but continually improving to the way we approach our jobs is critical to our career development and performance management. It's all about creating better habits that become an organic, automatic approach for you. That begs the question... what is the best approach for creating habits?

In 7 Habits of Highly Effective People, Stephen Covey wrote that "You are what you habitually do, so adopt productive habits". For recruiters, that might include adopting social media as a candidate outreach method, pushing back on hiring managers who want detailed and manual reporting, including 45 minutes of your morning to check all your saved agents for future pipeline, or making time to update your neglected social media channels (like the Miss Recruiter blog, ahem). Here are some great tips for creating habits:

Choose one new habit at a time to introduce

If you try to take on too much at once, you are probably setting yourself up for failure. So focus on just one good habit for now—even if it's a small one—and move on to the others later.

Start slowly

It's going to take time and willpower to condition yourself, so don't beat yourself up if you miss days at the beginning. Start ramping up that good habit gradually for a more successful habit forming.

Get an accountability buddy

Surround yourself with supportive people who want to see you succeed and get a pal to help you stay accountable.

Chart your progress

Habits take weeks to establish, so keep track of how you’re doing for at least thirty days. Once skipping a session feels like you forgot something- like forgetting to brush your teeth -you can take your ritual up a notch or add a new habit.

Good Old Fashioned Bribery

Eventually habits produce their own motivation, but until then, external motivations like promising yourself a treat can keep you moving forward.

Track your time

Part of spending your time better is knowing how you’re spending it now. If you’ve ever tried to lose weight, you know that nutritionists tell you to keep a food journal because it keeps you from eating mindlessly. It’s the same with time - write down what you’re doing as often as you can. Use a spreadsheet, One Note or go old school with a pad and pen. 

Lastly, I think that prioritization is KEY to managing time. Recently, I obtained a great tool for helping myself prioritize my neverending to-do list, so please allow me to share with you. Look at your to-do list and see if your action items are:

Important and urgent - these are obviously top priority
Not important but urgent - 2nd most important in the priority list
Important and not urgent - 3rd most important; maybe interchangeable with not important and urgent
Not important and not urgent - HERE is where you need renegotiate!

Do you have something on your list that falls into the 'x box'? Then please consider renegotiating, delegating, or deleting that request - your time must be focused upon the highest priorities. Think about this method... let it sink in... and you  may adopt a new perspective on managing your time. 

Go forth and be productive! Miss Recruiter