Leaders: Stay Organized & Avoid Stress by Time Blocking

Time management is simple when you know how

Photo by Firmbee.com on Unsplash

Getting and staying organized at work can be challenging, especially in a new role.

New leaders are often shocked when they are expected to attend lots of meetings, manage their team do their own work as well.

One tip that works for me is to block all activities (personal & work) into my Outlook calendar.

Your work meetings should be in your calendar but add in:

• Private appointments such as dentist, doctors, and meetings at the school with your kids
  - Two or three blocks a day to check & answer your emails, even if you answer that you’ll reply in full later
  - A lunch break so you can eat, nourish your brain and get away from your desk
  - Any deadlines so you are not taken by surprise
  - Blocks of time to work on projects
  - One-to-ones with your team
  - One-to-one with your boss
  - Team meetings

Yes, it’s a lot, which is why leaders often get burned out and overwhelmed.

Proactively managing your calendar helps you:

• Prioritize and shift the deadlines that can be moved
  - Look after your health by having a break each day for lunch
  - Grow your team by making the time to invest in them
  - Give your family and…