You can't increase the amount of time available, so time management is about working smarter rather than harder. Companies that are introducing a four-day working week, for example, believe that good time management lets us do as much (or more) in less time. Here are our top tips to manage your time.
1. Prioritize ruthlessly according to importance. Doing one important thing in a day is surely better than doing ten unimportant things. Try, for example, the "ABC" method: "A" tasks are a high priority; "B" tasks are secondary; "C" tasks can wait if necessary.
2. Don't multitask. Trying to do two tasks at once will just compromise both. If more than one person is giving you work, refer back to point 1 and demand to know what the priorities are.
3. Know what your most productive hours are. Some people are at their best in the mornings; others need more time to get going. Try to protect that time — don't let people fill it up with meetings, etc.
4. Minimize distractions. If possible, block notifications from your phone and email. And set clear boundaries with your co-workers. Tell them you need to concentrate on something for the next hour or two, for example.
5. Manage expectations. Don't be afraid to say: "Sorry, I don't have time." Often, it's not necessary to say "no" — you just need to make clear that your capacity is limited. For example: "I won't get to this until tomorrow afternoon. Is that OK?"
6. And, finally, be willing to ask for help when you need it.