Time and priority management

How to use the compass, not the clock

We’re all faced with more competing demands on our time than ever before. But do we even know where our time goes?

Knowing how we spend it is the first step towards being able to control how we spend it. What non-essential activities can you drop? If there are things you can’t drop, how can you manage them better? How can you be more intentional about how you run your day?

This is an opportunity to explore different approaches to time and priority management. How can you manage interruptions better? How can you structure your day around your peak energy moments? How can you make your life easier by using the compass, not the clock?

What’s in it for you?

  • Explain the essential principles of time management
  • Explore how they can use their time so that it better aligns with their goals
  • Identify ways of using different planning tools to stay on track
  • Articulate the importance of being proactive and avoiding firefighting
  • Understand how to apply different strategies in a series of typical workplace situations

Workshop outline

(Full-day version, 9.30 – 5.00)

1 Time audit

  • How do you actually spend your time?
  • Important v ‘urgent’
  • The problem with ‘busy’
  • The ‘runaround’ dilemma
  • Going beyond ‘busyness’
  • Pareto’s law

2 Eliminating wasted time

  • Identifying your ‘time-stealers’
  • ‘To-do’ lists or ‘to don’t’ lists?

3 Managing yourself

  • Self-management challenges
  • Overcoming procrastination
  • Impact of stress and pressure

4 Keeping on track

  • How do you make sure you focus on your priorities – and don’t lose sight of them, especially when you’re busy?
  • The First Things First Model (FTFM)
  • Compass or clock?
  • Challenge your plan – the ‘planning fallacy’

5 Getting things done

  • The 4Ds
    • Do it
    • Dump it
    • Delegate it
    • Defer it
  • Making things happen
  • ‘Overwhelm’ and multi-tasking
  • Managing competing priorities
  • Attention, focus and willpower – working with your circadian rhythm, not against it

6 Strategies

  • Blocking time
  • Managing emails
  • Managing interruptions
  • Managing meetings

7 Actions and next steps

  • Review
  • Personal action planning
  • Next steps

‘Time and priority management’ is one of our five most popular ‘modules’ and Scott Rumsey is one of our most popular trainers. See some of the feedback he’s had recently from delivering this module virtually:

  • Inspiring!
  • ‘Excellent – I was aware of most of the techniques mentioned but really needed a refresher course on them. The trainer was really upbeat and inspiring – I came away feeling uplifted and motivated to get more organised!’
  • ‘In an age of lots of webinar content being produced, aimed at improving productivity or wellbeing, I started to feel like I never had enough time to do them all. And, disappointingly, some were often rehashing old ideas and I didn’t feel I learnt anything new. Maximum Performance is always well worth the time: always engaging, always sharing the latest research, very actionable. In the spirit of what we’ve just learnt about time / priorities management, I will be making time for Maximum Performance content ahead of others. Thank you!’
  • ‘Perfect blend of presentation; delivering at a seemingly relaxed pace yet containing an amazing amount of value. Highly recommended.’
  • ‘A very enjoyable and information overview on Time & Priority Management with lots of handy hints and tips, as well as related books, blogs and podcasts. Thank you.’
  • GREAT SESSION.’
  • ‘Well delivered! Straight to the point and very useful tips were given. Thank you.’
  • ‘Lot of good ideas and links for further reading.’
  • ‘Very snappy informative information and well presented! Thank you.’
  • ‘Great short session with loads of great content. The chats were amazing!
  • Excellent training, inspiring.’
  • ‘Gave some great information about prioritisation.’
  • ‘Very clear, and well-paced. Very responsive to comments.’
  • ‘Interactive, to the point and great useful tips – quick wins! Thank you.’
  • ‘It was a great session and especially as it was so short. You packed a lot in to a small amount of time. It is over to me now to follow though… and not procrastinate!!’
  • Brief and snappy session, reaffirming some good tips that can be easily used and applied in the day. Thanks.’
  • ‘It was a very good session. Would like to have more of this kind of webinar.’
  • ‘Really good interactive session. BRILLIANT! Scott is lovely!’
  • ‘Very worthwhile.’
  • Loved the session – loved the informal and quick style. Trainer was great.’
  • ‘Lots of really good ideas and tips. Lots of links to further information. Very useful – time well spent.’
  • ‘Great ideas that will help me when prioritising. Thank you.’
  • Excellent session and very nicely delivered with lovely interaction as usual, thank you Scott!’
  • ‘Really enjoyable – good pace, great content. Thank you.’
  • ‘Very useful training. Good interaction today with suggestions from contributors. Scott adapted the training well.’
  • Excellent
  • ‘Very good bite-sized session – the comments and links from attendees were very useful as well.’
  • ‘Well run session with such a large group!’
  • ‘Really liked the models and recommended reading. Good to have participation from attendees.’
  • ‘Really enjoyed it, useful hints and tips – Scott has been brilliant as ever.’
  • Spot on!
  • ‘Very informative and relatable training style with laid back feel. Good interaction and plenty of opportunity to share and bounce thoughts with host and colleagues.’
  • ‘Good hints and tips to help me improve my time management at work and home to make everything easier and more rewarding.’
  • ‘Very informative and useful. Excellent presentation and great to understand how our body works through the day.’

To discuss which management and personal effectiveness modules would best suit you, just give us a call on 01582 463460 and we’ll be happy to talk you through the options.