Do you feel generally overwhelmed or overloaded? Even if your answer is yes, it may not mean that you have more to do than there is time in the day, but that you simply are not managing time well.

Some people are capable of accomplishing a task, but their performance fails due to poor time management.

The lack of time management skills, not understanding objectives, limited resources, not prioritizing to avoid multiple task conflicts, not leveraging technology/tools/methods, and too many people unnecessarily involved are all factors that may lead to failure.

Poor time management is a significant contributor to feeling overwhelmed or overloaded. Good time management allocates a predetermined amount of time at a specific time to manage step-by-step task priorities. To successfully (or should we say competently) manage assignments with multiple tasks requires having the right skills and an organized management method.

To better manage time we must identify the tasks. Categorize the tasks based on priority, amount of time available, and task sequence. The categorization must make sense and be realistic to be effective. Do not leave a task until tomorrow or even next week and expect timely results. This, more than likely, will create conflict with future tasks.

In order to take the next task completion step, the task level of importance must be determined by ascertaining the deadline. Some tasks may have equal importance, but one may have more time allotted than another, thus determining its priority or importance sequence. Choosing to work on a preferred task at the expense of a more time-critical task usually results in failure to complete the more pressing task and is simply poor time management.

After categorizing tasks, creating a task management checklist based on time and priority is another good tool. The checklist should be designed based on the task mandated time cycles, again, including both the time it takes to do the task, and the “right time” for it to be done.

The bottom line is that time management methodology will help:

  1. ensure that tasks are completed on time.
  2. increase productivity.
  3. reduce stress and the sense of being overwhelmed.
  4. recognize the need for task adjustments before too late.
  5. promote job competence (even if you have both the ability and capability).
  6. decide whether there is a need for more resources or a need to choose  someone else who can get the job done.

If you already have the feeling of being overwhelmed, chances are that any new tasks are destined for failure.

The development of prioritizing habits is imperative. We must commit the right amount of time to a task at the “right time”. Developing a method of tracking tasks and regularly reviewing task progress in light of importance ensures that tasks are being carried out in a timely manner.

Managing multiple tasks can be successfully done if we approach it with the proper time management methodology.

What time do you have? Maybe this is the “right time” to find out.