We all get the same 24 hours – so why do some people seem to achieve more with their time than others? The answer: good time management.

Time management is the process of organizing and planning how to divide your time between different activities. Get it right, and you’ll end up working smarter, not harder, to get more done in less time – even when time is tight and pressures are high.

The highest achievers manage their time exceptionally well. And by using Mind Tools’ time-management resources, you too can make the most of your time – starting right now!

The Benefits of Good Time Management

When you know how to manage your time effectively, you can unlock many benefits. These include:

• Greater productivity and efficiency.
• Less stress.
• A better professional reputation.
• Increased chances of advancement.
• More opportunities to achieve your life and career goals.

Overall, you start feeling more in control, with the confidence to choose how best to use your time.

And by feeling happier, more relaxed, and better able to think, you’re in a great place to help others reach their targets, too.

How Well Do You Manage Your Time?

Start by assessing your existing approach. How good are you at organizing your time so that you get the important things done well? Can you balance your time between different activities? And when you do make time to do something, are you able to focus – and get it finished?

Our quiz, How Good Is Your Time Management, will show you what you’re getting right, as well as highlight where – and how – you can improve.

General Time-Management Tools

Mind Tools has a range of resources designed to improve your time management overall. These offer practical solutions to common time-management challenges, as well as ways to change key habits for the better.

How to Be More Organized explains why your environment needs to be as organized as your thinking! There are practical tips from highly organized people, plus ideas for using technology to take more control of your time.

And, since good time management relies on planning, recording and reflecting on your activities, we explain some of the best-known tools for doing this, including Activity Logs, To-Do Lists and Action Programs.

Goal Setting

The most successful “time managers” have clear targets to aim for. They develop SMART Goals, allowing them to allocate their time effectively.

Treasure Mapping is a powerful way to see your goals clearly – so that you’re motivated to give them the time they need. Personal Mission Statements are also helpful for being organized and staying committed to your plans.

Concentration and Focus

It’s no good just making the time to pursue your priorities. You have to use that time well, too. We have a collection of resources devoted to doing just that, including advice on minimizing distractions, and getting into a focused state of “flow.”

There’s also detailed guidance on using your time well when you’re working from home, and when you’re doing your job on the move.

About the course

Meetings can be the best way to share information, make sure everyone’s voice is heard, and create decisive action plans. But meetings can easily go awry and waste everyone’s time. Take the lead to make sure that the time you spend in meetings matters. Use these best practices to develop precise agendas, keep people on track, and make meetings work.

Are you struggling to get everything done while others seem to do it all with ease? Time management is a valuable skill, but it can be difficult to master. Learn how to take advantage of proven time management techniques, such as setting SMART goals, managing daily interruptions & filtering your tasks to add quality time back into your day.

You want to be the best team leader. Gain the tools you need to lead meaningful meetings & manage your time wisely.

Course for you, if:

• Current team leaders & managers
• Those who regularly lead meetings or are new to leading meetings
• People who have trouble managing their time
• Those who want to improve their self-discipline