Best tips, techniques & advice on "time management?"

Col Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 18 Jan 2014 23:04:50 -0500

We're all given the same amount of time; so, how is it that some seem to accomplish more--do more--and achieve more within the same amount of it? well, simply put it's all about effective 'time management.' TM is among the most important professional skills that anyone can learn; over the years many of us have found ways to maximize the hours and minutes in a given day... what are those proven methods? Mastering this area early-on could make all the difference for young leaders and those they lead... so, here's your opportunity to share what you've learned. I'm certain that this will be an interesting and informative discussion that will help many people... so, think about what are your best nuggets of wisdom, and let's get this thing started; thank you for all that you do, and... see you all in the discussion threads!

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 18 at 2014 11:15 PM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 18 Jan 2014 23:15:06 -0500

Sir,

As a young Leader, one of the ways I've practiced time management is to learn my Soldiers strengths and weaknesses FIRST. I feel that once I know what one Soldier is good at, or what one Soldier is not so good at, it enables me to use both to my advantage. For example, I have a Soldier who I can say "Go to the battery, open the connex, look for the third toughbox on the left and grab 5 handmics and bring them to SSG XYZ." and that Soldier will say "Check, rgr" and move out, no questions asked, not having to repeat myself. On the other hand, I have another Soldier who I can say the exact same thing to, verbatim, and get a call or text from said Soldier 2 minutes later asking what I needed him to do again. But that Soldier is perfect for remedial tasks such as "Update our tracker.", etc. Not the best of examples, but my overall point being that by learning their strengths and weaknesses, I can effectively task my Soldiers out, saving me time for other important tasks!

Response by Lt Col Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 19 at 2014 6:31 PM

Lt Col Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 19 Jan 2014 18:31:45 -0500

http://www.forbes.com/sites/jennifercohen/2013/10/02/5-things-super-successful-people-do-before-8-am/

Response by Lt Col Luis A. Rojas made Jan 19 at 2014 7:42 PM

Lt Col Luis A. Rojas — Sun, 19 Jan 2014 19:42:21 -0500

I started using the Franklin Planner system in 1993 and it has served me well ever since.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Franklin_Planner

Franklin Planner - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

The Franklin Planner, a paper-based time management system created by Hyrum W. Smith and marketed from 1997 by the FranklinCovey company, consists physically of a ring binder holding specially designe...

Response by Lt Col Luis A. Rojas made Jan 19 at 2014 8:12 PM

Lt Col Luis A. Rojas — Sun, 19 Jan 2014 20:12:59 -0500

<p>Another time management and organized approach, when working a staff officer job, is keeping your email inbox clean.  Here's how I do it:</p><p> </p><p>- When I first PCS to a new assignment/job, I create the following outlook .pst folders; "ACTIONS TODAY", "ACTIONS THIS WEEK", "ACTIONS NEXT WEEK", ACTIONS THIS MONTH".</p><p> </p><p>- I also create .pst folders for every tasker or project.</p><p> </p><p>- Every duty day, when I first check my emails, I go through all my inbox emails and move them into one of the above action folders.  Emails that do not require action from me, I place in the appropriate tasker or project .pst folder.  I will use this technique throughout the day as emails come into my inbox.</p><p> </p><p>- Once I quickly go through all my inbox emails and place them in a folder, I go to the ACTIONS TODAY folder to make sure I meet my suspenses.</p><p> </p><p>- Once I clear out my ACTIONS TODAY folder, I start working on my ACTIONS THIS WEEK folder and so on.</p><p> </p><p>- At the end of the duty day, I ensure all ACTION folders are updated with the appropriate emails.  For example:  I move emails, that I want to work the next day, from the ACTIONS THIS WEEK folder to the ACTIONS TODAY folder.</p><p> </p><p>It sounds complicated, but I have never busted a suspense and sometimes I even complete most of the tasks ahead of schedule.  Additionally, there's always that really HOT tasker that will pop up in the middle of the day so by having a clean inbox, it will catch my attention immediately.</p><p> </p><p> </p>

Response by CPO Jon Campbell made Jan 19 at 2014 8:28 PM

CPO Jon Campbell — Sun, 19 Jan 2014 20:28:00 -0500

Probably the most important thing I learned in boot camp was time mangement. I still try to fill every block of time in between tasks with other smaller tasks. I think recognizing the complexity of tasks and breaking them down into smaller tasks is key.

Response by SGT Brendan Beely made Jan 19 at 2014 8:33 PM

SGT Brendan Beely — Sun, 19 Jan 2014 20:33:58 -0500

For me, the simple act of not being afraid to say 'No.'<div><br></div><div>As a culture, we are trained from day one that we can and will accomplish any and every mission.  Smart leaders know that the hours in the day are finite, and some 'ZOMG HOLY CRAP THIS HAS TO BE DONE RIGHT NOW OMG WTF WHY ISN"T IT DONE YET?!?!' tasks are really not that important.</div><div><br></div><div>Sometimes, having the gumption to simply say, 'No, we can't accomplish that today' or 'We can switch to task B, but then task A won't be completed on time' makes all the difference in aligning priorities.</div><div><br></div><div>Along with this is knowing when to call it quits.  Sometimes, the variables outside your control conspire against you.  When that happens, continuing the frontal attack wastes time and resources.  Take a break, drink water, and formulate a plan to flank and destroy, and you will often come back to the mission able to complete in a timely manner.</div><div><br></div><div><br></div><div>Another thing that has served me well is that if it truly is a no-crap last minute deadline from higher, then somebody is waiting for it.  If the person who needs the task completed is at home, so are my soldiers and I.</div><div><br></div><div><br></div>

Response by 1SG Michael Blount made Jan 19 at 2014 8:41 PM

1SG Michael Blount — Sun, 19 Jan 2014 20:41:23 -0500

if faced with a large task, break it down into smaller, more manageable, bite-sized pieces. If faced with smaller tasks, prioritize and knock them out one at a time. Above all, avoid chasing the shiny object. That's the surest way to chew up a bunch of time and get nothing done in the bargain

Response by SSG Mike Angelo made Mar 15 at 2014 4:09 AM

SSG Mike Angelo — Sat, 15 Mar 2014 04:09:43 -0400

having and developing a sense of urgency

Response by 1SG Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 15 at 2014 4:53 AM

1SG Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 15 Mar 2014 04:53:35 -0400

Sir,

What I do to Manage my time is Share my Calendar with everyone and put everything on it even my own time to get my stuff done.

V/r

1SG Haro

Response by SSG Dave Rogers made Mar 25 at 2014 11:16 AM

SSG Dave Rogers — Tue, 25 Mar 2014 11:16:05 -0400

There is no simple answer to this. It takes more than just a knowledge of yourself and the tasks. When talking about a military unit, you are also dealing with other people on a task, assignments and duties outside a task, and family matters if you have them. So I learned to look at the day as it is 24 hours.

I use to keep a time chart on the wall in my office. I started with a 24 hour ruler, and would break down everything. Who was doing what, how long it should take, when is it due. I even built a binder system for the office, as well as organizational boards.

Response by Col Private RallyPoint Member made May 10 at 2014 2:00 PM

Col Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 10 May 2014 14:00:36 -0400

Here's just a few threads on related topics that you'll want to check out; thanks for all that you do, and... see you all in the discussion threads!

Response by Sgt Randy Hill made May 21 at 2014 1:18 PM

Sgt Randy Hill — Wed, 21 May 2014 13:18:15 -0400

Time management is really behavior management and perhaps this is what it should be called.Keep yourself on task for your prioritized tasks and do them. I like doing the hard stuff first thing because the rest of the day goes so much better.

Response by SSG Richard Stevens made May 25 at 2014 11:35 AM

SSG Richard Stevens — Sun, 25 May 2014 11:35:58 -0400

We need to teach that to the mangers who are in charge now they let there, power go to there head.

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 13 at 2015 4:20 PM

LTC Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 13 Jan 2015 16:20:11 -0500

Stay off Social Media?

Response by SSgt Boyd Herrst made Jun 9 at 2017 5:16 PM

SSgt Boyd Herrst — Fri, 09 Jun 2017 17:16:51 -0400

I've been out a while and what I remember
Is going over the production sheet. I served as a Cook/Baker in the AF Reserve and Regular AF. Our Storeroom clerk had our items on the cart. Some frozen, some dry(beans if that was on menu) or we'd have canned of the same item. It all depended what our meal was. I had come in early if I knew our meal was extensive.
Gather pans needed (sheet trays, line serving pans, ect.;.. get cooking what takes longest.. get the other items working according to cooking length..
and so forth. I put the newest Airmen with me or with the first cook.. I've had some new Airmen who I could put on. A product and only have to momentarily check back on them.. s'times age is a factor of the new ones.. the younger they were the more I had to be on top of what they were doing.. I'd been fortunate to have fast learners and ones who cared about turning out a professional looking product..

Response by CSM Charles Hayden made Jul 16 at 2018 11:25 PM

CSM Charles Hayden — Mon, 16 Jul 2018 23:25:24 -0400

Do not become overly engaged. Only ask so many questions (4/5), listen, take notes if needed.

DO not rush or appear impatient - let the situation develop to where the Troop is actually saying something - not just blabbing!

Focus for a few minutes - Move ON!

Several commanders demonstrated this ability to me.

I prefer to get into the nitty gritty - not needed!

Information to use or share with those concerned is important and was always my goal!