Time management is one of the most common themes for conversations with CEOs and other leaders. There’s just not enough time in their calendar to get everything done. It’s a challenge for any leader but it’s particularly acute for executives in the high-growth businesses as they realize that they cannot scale themselves at the same rate as their business.
Born out of real coaching experience with CEOs and other C-Suite executives, here’s 8 proven time management techniques that will help you manage and leverage your time better. Experimenting with these time management techniques will, at the same time, reveal some deeper, psychological truths about what drives you and your behavior.
Understanding time management
Successful CEOs know time management is essential. It’s the practice of allotting time to activities to be more efficient and fruitful. This article will explain the basics of time management and how CEOs use it to stay organized and productive.
What is time management?
Time management is vital for success. Time management lets a CEO plan, organize, and prioritize tasks. Doing this well calls for discipline, focus, and a clear understanding of your goals. Effective time management helps do more in less time.
For CEOs, time management can be a make-or-break skill. Strategies to manage time effectively include delegating tasks, batching similar jobs, and dedicating specific slots for meetings and emails. CEOs prioritize and limit distractions.
Time management strategies for CEO
Time management is vital in our fast-paced world. Master it and you’ll be more productive, have less stress, and reach your goals faster and better.
Planning in advance
While some CEOs prefer to spend time each Sunday evening or Monday morning to plan their schedule, Amanda Goetz, the founder of House of Wise, says that to maintain a work-life balance, she plans her next day before signing off the previous day. There is no right or wrong time to plan. As long as you dedicate the required time to plan, find what works for you!
Schedule time for strategizing
Sometimes we get so caught up in scheduling meetings that we forget to take the time to think and strategize about our day. A CEO must prioritize time ruthlessly. Lastly, make sure there is always a meeting agenda in place for the meetings you attend.
Time between meetings
Including a buffer between meetings will help avoid Zoom fatigue. The symptoms of Zoom fatigue usually consist of feeling exhausted or burnt out, constantly rescheduling video calls, and keeping your camera off during meetings.
When a buffer is not possible, suggest changing the meeting format to a phone call. If all else fails, ask the meeting attendees if everyone could turn their cameras off. Although this may not be ideal for engagement, it will help minimize Zoom fatigue.
Always have a agenda
In a 62.5 hour/week job, one can only imagine how many priorities a CEO must keep track of. Being agenda (or calendar) driven is a great strategy for a CEO to remain organized. According to their study,
Limit routine responsibilities
CEO’s duties consume most of their time, included things from operating reviews to earnings calls. So, to limit these responsibilities, evaluating which activities fall under routine and which fall under necessary. Those activities that fall under routine, try changing them to a more efficient strategy or removing the routine altogether.
Additionally, don’t be afraid to delegate. Delegating work, especially routine responsibilities, can help you save time and get more important things done.
Build relationships
Connecting with other managers helps CEOs understand things from an employees’ perspective by taking them out of their bubble. Relationships help managers to connect with employees at multiple levels, which is essential to motivating them and winning their support.
Work on improving processes
While designing, monitoring, and improving processes can become time-consuming, it will save you time and resources in the long run. Formal reviews help monitor the company’s processes but take up a quarter of a CEO’s total work time. Thus, find a time when your workload is lighter and dedicate this time to designing, monitoring, and improving processes.
Connect with customers
As a CEO, it’s important to connect and spend time with your customers. CEOs need to start designating more time for their customers as they would not have a company without customers
Get some me time
It can become challenging for CEOs to find time for themselves in the environment they work in. However, finding that alone time is crucial to maintain a healthy well-being. Do not shy away from taking your vacation time. Skipping vacation is actually bad for your health. Not only that, but taking time to relax can make you more productive. When you’re well rested and refreshed, you’re far more likely to tackle your tasks with focus and enthusiasm.
CEOs are constantly busy. Whether you’re jumping into a meeting, finishing up a phone call, or getting caught up on the endless paperwork and emails you receive daily; the job is always time-consuming. Knowing the best practices for time management as a CEO will help make the most out of your day and hopefully cut down on some of those long hours.
So, go out there and get things done!
