Time Management
Work Time
“My daily routine consists of getting up, being amazing then going back to bed” Anon
Work is a daily grind. It can sap your enthusiasm, so you have to get organised to fight it.
So how am you going to organise yourself on a daily basis so that you are setting yourself up to be excellent at work?
Well, you should have some sort of job description. It will no doubt be slightly different to the role that was described in the job ad that you replied to.
Also you should have picked up a few clarifications to your job. These will be additions to your allocated tasks that may have come up during your orientation. Now is the time for you to set out what your job actually is.
Best thing to do is to write down what must get done as part of your job. Not what you are going to do, but what MUST get done and PRIORITISE.
The difference is:
“My duties”
“What I am going to do”
Work Time
“My daily routine consists of getting up, being amazing then going back to bed” Anon
Work is a daily grind. It can sap your enthusiasm, so you have to get organised to fight it.
So how am you going to organise yourself on a daily basis so that you are setting yourself up to be excellent at work?
Well, you should have some sort of job description. It will no doubt be slightly different to the role that was described in the job ad that you replied to.
Also you should have picked up a few clarifications to your job. These will be additions to your allocated tasks that may have come up during your orientation. Now is the time for you to set out what your job actually is.
Best thing to do is to write down what must get done as part of your job. Not what you are going to do, but what MUST get done and PRIORITISE.
The difference is:
“My duties”
“What I am going to do”
Daily work day
Time is money, and it’s limited. If you are like millions of others, your workdays are going to be repetitive and predictable. Don’t think of this as a problem. It’s an opportunity for you to get some organisation into the things that must be done for the boss. So set yourself a routine, be dependable and therefore predictable to your co-workers.
Something as simple as your start time for example: demonstrate that you always catch the 7 o’clock bus and are at work 15 mins early every day, likewise at knocking off time, have a routine to close off the day, and prepare for the new one before you leave.
Business runs on repetition and predictability, so get used to it and use it to your advantage.
Time management
Let’s start with some generic rules on time management.
Starting time
Be early. You are enthusiastic and optimistic. So you are there early and raring to go. As a junior you don’t have to be too early, but certainly in enough time so that you are at your place of work in sufficient time to receive any tasks for the day. Greet your colleagues, never be late.
During the day
As a new starter you will probably find that people have their established routines at your workplace. It will take you a few weeks to notice the routine of your new workplace, but you’ll pick it up.
Things like where they go for lunch, where they sit for lunch, who they sit with, what they talk about etc. A new starter can find it difficult to fit in, especially if there is a generational gap, and new starters are generally shy and lacking in self-confidence until they find their feet.
Be patient, your co-workers are in a routine, and it will take a while for them to get used to you.
If it is a large company there may be other new starters that you could buddy with until you find your feet.
Otherwise it may be an idea to bring in a magazine or a book that you are interested in. This can lead to conversations with other workers, so leave yourself open to putting the mags down and chatting.
Also try and get some exercise at lunch breaks so that you are not sitting all day at your bench or desk. You can grow stale if you don’t get out. Also drink water at your desk; you will dehydrate in an air-conditioned office.
End of the day routine
Don’t be a clock-watcher. For one thing time won’t go any quicker, and people will notice you doing it. Clock watching will damage your all-important reputation.
Don’t rush out the door at knock off time. Don’t be in a great hurry to leave. Unless there is a bus or a train to catch start clearing your work area at finishing time.
Don’t leave a messy desk when you finish. Put any work away, preferably out of sight and leave the desk clear for tomorrow. Wait till everyone is starting to leave before clearing your desk.
Bosses like to come around at the end of the day, and you don’t want to let the boss see you at the empty desk strumming your fingers waiting for knocking off time.
Allow yourself some time to clear your desk and jot down the things that you want to get done tomorrow.
As you get into this routine of writing down what to do the next day, you will be able to cross off your accomplishments from today.
Don’t hang around for too long either, no point in being a suck up. Just be known as someone who meets their employment obligations and is ready for the next day.