How many times have you thought, “I’ll never get good with time management?”
Don’t be dismayed. This is a common trope even for those who are super productive and successful.
The reason you find yourself in the cycle of what I call a time rut is because your particular time style may not fit the situation/environment and you haven’t mastered the strategies that go along with your style.
If you’re a person who appreciates spontaneity, what happens when you decide to accept an opportunity working in operations? Your time management style is one of unpredictability and being in the moment; but your job is all about systemization, consistency and predictability. As pressure mounts and demands increase, you will become drained of meeting the time demands and find yourself losing focus, struggling with organization and procrastinating more than usual.
What about when you work in an environment that suits your time style? Say that you have a perfectionist time style, and you work in education with a very meticulous view of your daily schedule. Everything could be scheduled to the minute — great right? Yes, until there is something that completely throws your schedule off, forcing you to second guess your strategies. You will find yourself cycling through bouts of unnecessary busyness feeling as though nothing is getting done.
KNOWING YOUR STYLE MATTERS
It is so important to understand your time management style beyond the surface level so that when turning points occur — because they will — you will have the right tools to help you respond and recover. It is not a common practice for people to understand their time management style, as much as they understand the strategies that have worked. That is great, but in the moments when they don’t where do you turn?
I’ve learned in my work as a leader and entrepreneur that I have a perfectionist time management style. I can spend a lot of time on the details and want everything to be right. Like all time management styles, there is a good and bad. The key is to be able to recognize the tendencies that will have you spiraling into busyness or procrastination, and use the tools to get you back on track.
Here are six common time management styles that will help you to develop a better understanding of your time need, especially when you are experiencing the rut.
- Hopper
Think of it as jumping from one thing to the next. Hoppers are serial multitaskers constantly shuffling between, through, and around tasks.
Good thing: good at transitioning between tasks
Watch out for: the gravitation toward multitasking — NOT good. I discuss the cognitive impairment that can be caused by multitasking in episode 12 of The Time Tutor podcast.
Try this: Focusing techniques and timed methods (pomodoro) with a leaning towards single tasking
2. Hyperfocus
Think of it as power zoning on one task.
Good thing: high quality productivity
Watch out for: delays in transitioning between tasks and challenges meeting deadlines
Try this: task transition strategies like breathing in/out of activities or auditory tools to break up momentum
3. Cliffhanger
Think of it as appreciating the adrenaline rush of working under pressure.
Good thing: knack for dealing with pressure
Watch out for: procrastination that results in lower quality work
Try this: set priorities and schedule tasks to stay ahead
4. Big picture
Think of it as having the full view and creating the vision.
Good thing: creative, strategic and great at problem solving
Watch out for: paying attention to the small details
Try this: collaborate with others who are detail oriented; communicate clearly
5. Perfectionist
Think of it as needing everything to be just right.
Good thing: clear on the intricacies of tasks and can produce great work
Watch out for: rushing to meet deadlines and a tendency to micromanage
Try this: take a time audit and get comfortable with delegation
6. Impulsive
Think of it as being in the moment with limited appreciation for routine and structure.
Good thing: welcomes unexpected challenges
Watch out for: limited attention span for long term assignments and an inability to keep deadlines
Try this: time boxing that schedules in time for spontaneity
To learn more about reimagining time management to go from busy to effective, please visit www.hanifabarnes.com, and follow me @hanifabarnesesq on all platforms.
