Time Management Techniques

Below is my system for staying productive all day, every day. It allowed me to sell over $100M in my B2B sales career, then build a 7 figure coaching business working an average of 40 hours/week. Most importantly, my nights and weekends are free to spend with my family. Here's are the 3 simple steps I take every single week: Step 1: Complete a Weekly Plan & Scorecard at the beginning of each week On Monday mornings (or Sunday evening), I print and fill out a Weekly Plan & Scorecard. On this document, I write down all the important tasks and action items I aspire to get done that week in no particular order. I then rank each task in order of priority, typically prioritizing RGA's (Revenue Generating Activities) for my business. I originally took this scorecard from a book called the 12 week year, then adapted it to include a "Rank" column, which allows me to prioritize each action item. Prioritizing the Action Items allows me to know where to start every day, and prevents me from getting overwhelmed. If you want to download the adapted Weekly Scorecard I use, you can find it here: https://lnkd.in/gvADT_QR Step 2: Daily Task Blocking in Calendar Whitespace At the beginning of each weekday, I fill up all the whitespace on my calendar for that day with high priority tasks taken directly from the Weekly Plan & Scorecard. This ensures that the most important tasks for the week get done first and eliminates daily decision fatigue. The key is to put the specific tasks on your calendar so there's no empty space. If for some reason any tasks on the calendar don't get completed for that day, I move them to the next day in any open whitespace. Step 3: Weekly Scoring At the end of each week, I score my performance using the simple formula: Tasks Completed / Tasks Written Down = Score % My goal is to score 85% or higher each week, although admittedly there are many weeks where I fall short. If there are any tasks that didn't get completed that week, they get moved to the following week. I rinse and repeat this process every single week. This ensures that I SHOW UP every single day, and stay productive throughout the entire work week. Additional keys to success include: 1. Taking short breaks when you feel mentally drained. Stretching, a short walk, and standing desk do wonders to change your state. 2. Minimize the number of daily meetings on your calendar (4 or less is optimal) to stay focused and ensure you have enough whitespace to get deep work done. 3. Give yourself an hour lunch to break up the work day. Every day I have lunch with my wife, and that's also on the calendar. 4. Do one thing at a time 5. If you have an unproductive day, forgive yourself. Every day is a fresh opportunity to get it right! In today's training video, I share how to use this exact system in detail. You can find the full training here:

Working from home doesn’t have to mean living at work. Remote work gives us flexibility, but it’s easy to slip into long hours, constant pings, and blurred boundaries. The good news? With the right habits and tools, you can stay productive without burnout. Thanks to a recent course, I now have a top five list of simple ways to make remote work, work for you: ✅ Establish a Routine – Start and end your day consistently. A structured schedule helps maintain focus and prevents burnout. ✅ Prioritize Communication – Over-communicate when necessary. Clear, proactive messaging keeps teams aligned and reduces misunderstandings. ✅ Create a Dedicated Workspace – Having a separate, distraction-free zone boosts efficiency and reinforces work-life boundaries. ✅ Leverage Technology – Use project management tools, video calls, and chat platforms to stay engaged and connected with your team. ✅ Set Boundaries – Just because you're home doesn’t mean you should always be "on." Respect your working hours to maintain balance. ✅ Stay Visible – Engage in team discussions, contribute ideas, and participate in virtual meetings to maintain your professional presence. Remote work isn’t just about location—it’s about optimizing how we work. What strategies have helped you succeed in a remote setting? What am I missing? #RemoteWork #Productivity #WorkFromHome #CareerSuccess

I get asked a lot by people, "Ryan, how do you manage all these different projects?" It isn't easy and I am not perfect at it, but you can climb the highest mountain by taking one step at a time. 10 Tips for Mastering Multi-Tasking Like a Pro 🚀 1️⃣ Prioritize Your Tasks 📝 Start with high-impact tasks first. Use the Eisenhower Matrix (urgent vs. important) to decide what needs immediate attention. 2️⃣ Use Time Blocking ⏳ Dedicate specific time slots for different tasks. Avoid context-switching by grouping similar activities together. 3️⃣ Leverage Technology 📲 Use productivity tools like Trello, Asana, or Notion to organize tasks and track progress efficiently. 4️⃣ Set Clear Deadlines ⏰ Give yourself a time limit for each task. Parkinson’s Law states that work expands to fill the time available—keep deadlines tight! 5️⃣ Master the 2-Minute Rule ⚡ If a task takes less than 2 minutes to complete, do it immediately instead of adding it to your to-do list. 6️⃣ Limit Distractions 🚫📵 Silence notifications, close unnecessary tabs, and use focus apps like Freedom or Forest to stay in the zone. 7️⃣ Batch Similar Tasks Together 🔄 Answer emails in one go, make all phone calls at once, and schedule social media updates in bulk instead of spreading them throughout the day. 8️⃣ Use the Pomodoro Technique 🍅 Work in focused 25-minute intervals followed by short breaks. This helps maintain energy and prevents burnout. 9️⃣ Learn to Delegate 🙌 If someone else can handle a task better or faster, delegate it. Free up time for high-value work. 🔟 Take Breaks & Recharge 🌿 Multi-tasking can drain mental energy. Step away, stretch, hydrate, or take a walk to refresh your mind before diving back in. ✅ Bonus Tip: Focus on progress over perfection—multi-tasking isn’t about doing everything at once but managing tasks efficiently without sacrificing quality! #Productivity #TimeManagement #Efficiency #WorkSmarter #Multitasking

How to Get More Done in Less Time. (Your guide to working smarter, not harder) As a busy dad of 4 building a brand & business, I had to get creative with how I managed my time. I've read dozens of productivity books, listened to the podcasts, and followed the gurus. But it wasn't until I found what worked for me, that I was able to accomplish more with what seems to be less effort. Here's my 5-Step Framework: 1. Prioritize and Plan with Intention - What will move the needle forward today? - Choose 3 high-impact tasks and write them down. - Set deadlines and time limits for each. - Build your day around these priorities—everything else is noise. 2. Time Block Like a Pro - When will you do your best work? - Dedicate focused blocks of time for deep work. - Schedule everything: calls, emails, breaks—even downtime. - Stick to your blocks like they’re non-negotiable meetings. 3. Automate and Systematize - What tasks can you stop doing manually? - Use tech tools to handle repetitive work (e.g., auto-replies, scheduling). - Create templates, SOPs, or workflows for tasks you repeat often. - Free up mental energy for what matters. 4. Batch Similar Tasks - How can you reduce context-switching? - Group related tasks (e.g., emails, brainstorming, admin) and tackle them in one go. - Focus on one "mode" at a time: create, respond, or strategize. - End the habit of jumping between tasks—it kills momentum. 5. Delegate or Outsource - What can someone else do for you? - Identify low-leverage tasks that don’t need your expertise. - Train someone, then trust them to own it. - Stay focused on the high-value work only you can do. Ready to lock this in? Which one are you starting with today? ♻️ Share to help your network be more efficient. ➕ Follow Nico for daily productivity & branding insights.

Dear Professionals, Is productivity overrated? Oh, not at all. But you can’t wish it away. You need proven strategies to improve your productivity in the coming year! Before diving into that, let me share a little story. During my undergraduate days, I always multitasked. I combined a part-time home schooling initiative with my academics. In the evenings, I would go to various homes to teach secondary school students compulsory subjects (English, Maths, Physics, Chemistry, and Biology). In no time, more parents showed interest, and to maintain the quality of service, I had to involve other intelligent colleagues. We prepared many of these students for their final exams, and they achieved great success. I was also involved in student politics and had to lead delegations to the vice-chancellor and government for various causes that required advocacy and high-level interventions. Amidst all these activities, I raised funds and organized several health outreaches to underserved communities. I built leadership, organizational, research, and time management skills that helped me succeed as a student. These skills have not only helped me as a professional but have also opened doors and unlocked many opportunities too numerous to mention. But here’s the thing: you need to put systems in place because systems are drivers of productivity. Some systems have worked for me. Have a go at them: 1. Time Blocking: Allocate specific blocks of time for different tasks throughout your day. This helps maintain focus and prevents multitasking, which can reduce productivity. Use tools like Google Calendar to schedule these blocks and stick to them. For instance, dedicate mornings to deep work and afternoons to meetings and emails. 2. The 2-Minute Rule: If a task will take less than two minutes to complete, do it immediately. This prevents small tasks from piling up and cluttering your to-do list. This hack is particularly useful for quick emails, small administrative tasks, or filing documents. 3. Prioritize with the Eisenhower Matrix: Organize your tasks based on urgency and importance using the Eisenhower Matrix. - Quadrant 1: Urgent and Important (Do immediately) - Quadrant 2: Not Urgent but Important (Schedule for later) - Quadrant 3: Urgent but Not Important (Delegate if possible) - Quadrant 4: Neither Urgent nor Important (Eliminate if possible) By focusing on what truly matters and eliminating unnecessary tasks, you can significantly boost your productivity and efficiency. I see you winning in the coming year, 2025. What strategies do you employ to be productive? Feel free to share; iron sharpens iron. A lighted candle doesn’t lose anything by lighting another. Till we all win!

Email is NOT dead – most people just don’t know how to use email effectively. It is quite simple and more important than ever. TL;DR: 𝗘𝗺𝗮𝗶𝗹 𝗶𝘀 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗯𝗲𝘀𝘁 𝘄𝗮𝘆 𝘁𝗼 𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗺𝘂𝗻𝗶𝗰𝗮𝘁𝗲 𝗯𝗲𝗰𝗮𝘂𝘀𝗲 𝗶𝘁’𝘀 𝗻𝗼𝗻-𝗶𝗻𝘁𝗿𝘂𝘀𝗶𝘃𝗲. Unlike Slack or WhatsApp, which scream “I need you right now,” email lets people respond at their own pace, when they’re ready. I recently saw a VC from a top tier firm praise a founder for instantly responding to his emails. But is that really the bar we’re setting? Is it impressive to be waiting around for emails all day? Personally, I’d be more impressed by their progress and results than their inbox responsiveness. Here are 10 steps to master email (using Gmail as an example): 1. 𝗦𝘁𝗮𝗿 𝗶𝗺𝗽𝗼𝗿𝘁𝗮𝗻𝘁 𝗲𝗺𝗮𝗶𝗹𝘀 - don’t rely on unread messages as a reminder. 2. 𝗔𝗿𝗰𝗵𝗶𝘃𝗲 𝗲𝗺𝗮𝗶𝗹𝘀 𝗮𝗳𝘁𝗲𝗿 𝗿𝗲𝘀𝗽𝗼𝗻𝗱𝗶𝗻g to keep your inbox clear. 3. If a response takes less than 2 minutes, 𝗷𝘂𝘀𝘁 𝗵𝗮𝗻𝗱𝗹𝗲 𝗶𝘁 𝗶𝗺𝗺𝗲𝗱𝗶𝗮𝘁𝗲𝗹𝘆. 4. 𝗗𝗶𝘀𝗮𝗯𝗹𝗲 𝗱𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗿𝗮𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀 like priority inbox and labels. Gmail’s search works great. 5. 𝗨𝗻𝘀𝘂𝗯𝘀𝗰𝗿𝗶𝗯𝗲 𝗳𝗿𝗼𝗺 𝘀𝗽𝗮𝗺 𝗹𝗶𝘀𝘁𝘀, or filter them straight to the trash. 6. Use a tool like Mailman to batch your emails, so you can focus on real work. 7. 𝗘𝗻𝗮𝗯𝗹𝗲 𝗸𝗲𝘆𝗯𝗼𝗮𝗿𝗱 𝘀𝗵𝗼𝗿𝘁𝗰𝘂𝘁𝘀 for speed. I changed “Delete” to “d” for convenience. 8. Set 𝗨𝗻𝗱𝗼 𝗦𝗲𝗻𝗱 𝘁𝗼 𝟯𝟬 𝘀𝗲𝗰𝗼𝗻𝗱𝘀 - trust me, you’ll thank yourself later. 9. 𝗗𝗼𝗻’𝘁 𝗹𝗲𝗮𝘃𝗲 𝗲𝗺𝗮𝗶𝗹𝘀 𝗶𝗻 𝗱𝗿𝗮𝗳𝘁𝘀 - finish them and hit send. 10. 𝗛𝗶𝗱𝗲 𝘂𝗻𝗻𝗲𝗰𝗲𝘀𝘀𝗮𝗿𝘆 𝗳𝗼𝗹𝗱𝗲𝗿𝘀 and disable chat if you don't use it. For the record, I’ve tried Google’s Gemini for drafting replies. It’s not there yet, but I believe AI will soon revolutionize how we use email and make it even more efficient. Email isn’t going anywhere. If you master it, it’ll become one of your most valuable tools. Image Credits – Janis Ozolins —— Follow Blaine Vess for more startup building tips and reflections 🙌 #email #productivity #work

Hot take: most weekly AE forecast calls are a waste of time 🙄 While i see the value around deal reviews in general, doing it in a team setting makes no sense. 🛑 Ask any AE how much value they get from these meetings… 😢 A team of 8 AEs spend 50 mins listening to their teammates rush through their late stage deals with superficial updates coupled with a few basic questions from the manager. 🤷🏽♀️ If the goal is to drive accountability of your sales process and help the rep with blindspots, do it in a 1:1 setting with proper preparation before the meeting. 🔑 If the goal is to share best practices across the group of AEs — pick 2-3 deals, standardize the discussion and go deep on specific stages, whats worked, what didn’t and what we should try next (brainstorm) 🔑 Some ideas: 1️⃣ use technology to help you set up a scalable deal machine that highlights gaps and allows you to easily spot opps for acceleration before it’s too late (identify hot deals in early stages, have key activity inputs for late stages) 2️⃣ as a manager, use equal amount of time to prep vs host a meeting. 30 mins prep time for a 30 mins 1:1. Listen to call recordings, check activity, identify gaps to discuss on specific opps across the funnel (not only late stage) 3️⃣ create a pipeline format that works for your business today. Don’t blindly follow what you have done in the past. Things like ACV, competitors, sales cycle length, AE experience levels etc. are all part of this decision. Ideally every meeting is insightful, engaging and fun. ✅ If it’s a bunch of repetitive updates on opps across a large group that could have been shared on an email, you are doing it wrong. 😑 Happy leading friends! #salesops #pipeline #forecasting #dealreviews

I've seen it on LinkedIn, with clients, friends, family, and even with me.   Projects and tasks seem to be taking longer than initially expected, especially those with less structure.   Is this the same for you? Why do you think that is the case?   Take the time to plan up front that it is going to take you more time than you anticipate.   📈 Buffer Time: When estimating timelines, I now add a 20% time buffer to account for potential delays or unforeseen circumstances. 50% if it is an important project.   🔀 Break it Down: I break larger projects into smaller, more manageable tasks or milestones, making it easier to track progress and adjust as needed.   ⌚ Time Blocking: I dedicate specific time blocks for focused work on different areas, allowing me to fully immerse myself in each task.   ⭐ Prioritize Important Tasks: For critical projects, I schedule them during my most productive hours to ensure they receive the necessary attention and energy.   📣 Communicate Proactively: I let stakeholders know in advance if I anticipate being unavailable or facing potential delays, setting realistic expectations from the outset.   By implementing these practices, I've found it easier to navigate the complexities of project management and maintain a better work-life balance. It's an ongoing process, but these strategies have helped me stay on top of my commitments more effectively.   --------------------------------------- ⏳I am David Buck the Time Strategist   📅I guide business professionals, who struggle with a lack of flexibility to create more quality time in life.    Liked this post? Want to see more? 🔔 Ring it on my profile   Follow #timeoptimize Learn more in my book The Time-Optimized Life Kairos (Time) Management Solutions Time Management Analysis (TMA)   #management #timemanagement #personaldevelopment

My lessons in time management from running a 2-person company with >30 corporate clients: It was only when I started my first company that I TRULY understood the importance of time management. I was running sales, product design, customer support, marketing and finance. If I didn’t get things done each day, our company did not move forward. Good time management helped me achieve our goals and stay sane (most of the time). The research supports this too - according to a Stanford University report, good time management makes you more likely to achieve your goals and have lower stress levels. Here is my simple formula for WHAT, WHEN and HOW to get the important things done: First, deciding WHAT to work on… You need a system for prioritizing. You will always have more tasks than you can do.  I like these three frameworks because they are simple: 1/ 80 / 20 Rule 2/ ABCDE Method 3/ Eisenhower Matrix You only need one. Try one for a week, and if it doesn’t work, try another. I do a version of 80/20 where I look at my life and ask myself: “In 1 month’s time, what are the 1-3 things that I will regret not making progress on?” This could be getting a new job or improving relationships with your partner or friends. It means some things will fall by the wayside (e.g., life admin), and your life may be unbalanced for a while. That imbalance is 1) not permanent and 2) the price to pay for achieving your goals. Now, WHEN to work… I recommend doing these 3 things: 1/ Identify and use your most productive hours effectively ↳ This means if you have a 9-5 job and are a morning person and you want to change job, you should get up 1-2 hours earlier and use that time to work on your dream.  ↳ Yes it sucks. But less than doing your current job forever :). 2/ Work in time blocks ↳ 2-hours for each block is ideal. ↳ Context switching kills your concentration and energy. 3/ Batch together similar tasks ↳ Try to do all your calls in one batch and all your small tasks in another, etc. Then finally my take on HOW to work effectively: 1/ Break work into 25-min sprints.  ↳ Leave the timer in front of you to create urgency and pull you back when you get distracted. 2/ Give yourself a goal for each sprint.  ↳ Again helps to create urgency. 3/ Use caffeine  ↳ Matcha for me. Yerba mate tea is also great! Try to avoid within 10 hours of bedtime. 4/ Keep your phone away from you ↳ And use app blockers on your computer. 5/ Get good quality, consistent sleep ↳ Good sleep -> good focus. 6/ Reflect and review ↳ Write down what worked and what didn’t and repeat! If you ask an 80-year-old what they would give for more time, their answer is everything. Don’t let yours fly by. P.S. What is your top tip for mastering your time? --- ♻️ Repost this to help your network become top performers. 📌 Want a high-resolution PDF of this? 1. Just follow me Will McTighe 2. Sign up for my free Level Up Community at lnkd.in/gKzZUq-b

Time Management Insights for Improving Productivity ⏰💡 I have been mentoring several people around the topic of time management. These are some pointers to help you master your time, boost productivity, and achieve more with less stress. 📈 1. Self-Assessment: Track and Analyze Your Time 📊 Track Your Time: For the next two weeks , keep a detailed log of how you spend each hour. There are tools like Toggl or RescueTime to help simplify this process.  I will put link to their sites in the comments. John Jensen also has a spreadsheet he utilizes that is a great framework for sales people. Categorize Activities: Once your log is complete, sort activities into categories such as planning, deal management, prospecting, admin tasks, internal and external meetings, and personal time.  Do you also understand what your high-impact activities are? Evaluate: Reflect on your log. Are you dedicating enough time to high-impact activities? Are personal activities getting the time they deserve? 2. Identify Areas for Improvement 🔍 High-Value vs. Low-Value Tasks: Pinpoint tasks that drive your goals forward. Delegate or eliminate low-value tasks. High-value tasks are often those that only you can do. Time Wasters: Identify activities that consume time without adding value, such as redundant meetings or excessive email checks. 3. Set Clear Priorities 🎯 Define Your Key Responsibilities: Clarify your role and responsibilities. Focus on activities that align with these and have the most significant impact. Goal Setting: Set clear, measurable goals. This will sharpen your focus and help you prioritize and delegate tasks effectively. 4. Improve Delegation 🤝 Identify Delegation Opportunities: Based on your time log and priorities, find tasks that can be handed off, freeing you to focus on high-level strategy. 5. Continuous Improvement 📈 Regular Check-Ins: Schedule regular check-ins to review your progress, discuss challenges, and adjust strategies as needed. This keeps you accountable and allows for timely adjustments. Personal Insights from My Experience 🌟 When I first started tracking my time, I was amazed at how much of it was spent on low-value tasks. By categorizing and analyzing my activities, I identified key areas for improvement and began delegating tasks that were consuming my time without significant returns. Setting clear priorities and goals was a game-changer, allowing me to focus on high-impact activities and achieve better results. Implementing these steps transformed my productivity, and I'm confident it can do the same for you! 🚀 #TimeManagement #Productivity