Research on Time Management

Time is the one thing you can’t buy. But how you manage it makes all the difference. Managing time effectively isn’t about doing more—it’s about focusing on what matters. Over my career, Stephen Covey’s Four-Quadrant Time Management Model has proven invaluable in helping me structure my priorities: 👉 Urgent & Important: These are crises and pressing problems—tasks that must be tackled immediately. 👉 Important but Not Urgent: Strategic thinking, relationship building, and planning belong here. They don’t demand attention now but drive long-term success. 👉 Not Important but Urgent: Delegate these—routine emails, some meetings, and minor distractions. 👉 Not Important & Not Urgent: Remove the trivia and time-wasters altogether. Beyond the quadrants, structuring your time is key. For me, this means: ✅ Daily 20-minute team meetings: These short check-ins help prioritise tasks and avoid wasted time. ✅ A streamlined email system: Using three folders—“Action,” “For Information,” and “Day File”—keeps my focus where it’s needed. ✅ Efficient meetings: Clear agendas, materials sent in advance, and decisions at the centre. It’s not just about managing my own time—it’s also about enabling those around me to do the same. Two-thirds of a leader’s time is spent with direct reports, so helping them be productive has a multiplier effect. Ultimately, the goal isn’t to pack more into each day—it’s to free up time for the things that matter most, like family, friends, and personal well-being. Time is precious. Managing it well can make all the difference.

How my client reclaimed 10 hours per week as a CRA (with simple time management strategies) A clinical research associate was struggling to keep up with site visits, reports, and endless emails. But they felt constantly overwhelmed and behind schedule. They said: "I'm working longer hours but still can't get everything done. It's affecting my work-life balance." I suggested they implement the Eisenhower Matrix to prioritize tasks. • Focuses on urgent vs. important activities • Reduces time spent on low-value work • Improves overall productivity Here's what we did next: • Blocked out time for deep work sessions • Created templates for common reports • Set up dedicated email checking times The result? They freed up 10 hours per week and reduced stress significantly. Remember, managing your time effectively is the key to excelling as a CRA. PS. If you're interested in mastering time management as a clinical professional, let's connect and discuss strategies tailored for you.

I’ve mastered time management in the last 3 years. Here are 4 strategies to implement: 1. Prioritize like crazy Focus on tasks that truly move the needle. - 80% of results come from 20% of efforts (Harvard Business Review) - Identify and concentrate on high-impact tasks Maximize productivity by focusing on what matters most. 2. Use time blocks Schedule dedicated periods for deep work. - Multitasking can reduce productivity by 40% (American Psychological Association) - Set aside uninterrupted time for focused work Minimize distractions and enhance your output. 3. Say 'No' more often Every 'yes' to something unimportant is a 'no' to what truly matters. - 70% of professionals feel overwhelmed by workloads (Inc. Magazine) - Free up valuable time for tasks that align with your priorities Learn to say 'no' to protect your time. 4. Start your day with clarity Define your top three priorities each morning. - Clear goals increase focus and productivity (Journal of Experimental Psychology) - Spend 5 minutes each morning planning your day (or the day before) Set yourself up for success with a clear plan. - Effective time management can increase productivity by up to 25% (McKinsey & Company) - Improve efficiency and create more space for innovation Time is your most valuable resource. Take control of your time.

If I were to start my PhD again, I would need to read this post. Every grad student struggles with time management. This can seriously derail your academic progress. And we are not addressing it effectively enough. Here are 5 ways I would manage my time more effectively: 1. Stop relying on vague writing goals Create a realistic and specific writing schedule instead. A good approach: Set daily word count or time targets. 2. Use the 15-minute rule Tone down your perfectionism. Commit to writing for just 15 minutes a day, no exceptions. This small commitment often leads to longer, more productive sessions. 3. Use the Ivy Lee Method Write your priorities the night before. List your 6 most important tasks for tomorrow, prioritize them. Work through the list, focusing on one task at a time. 4. Always schedule collaborative writing sessions Accountability partners can boost your productivity. Example: Weekly Zoom writing sessions with fellow PhD candidates. 5. Use timeblocking Don't let distractions derail your writing time. Dedicate specific blocks of time solely to thesis writing. An effective strategy: 90-minute focused blocks with short breaks. Effective time management benefits everyone. Not just your thesis progress. Writing consistently is a superpower. But managing your time well makes you a PhD hero. P.S. Share this. Let's all do better to complete our work on time. #phd #productivity #timemanagement

"I'm not allowed to cook any meals in 2025." When one of our #founders shared this rule during a recent session, it seemed bizarre until he explained: This simple rule has already saved him countless hours of derailed focus and creative momentum. That's the counter-intuitive truth about time: Sometimes the best way to have more of it is to have less freedom with it. During our founder session, a pattern emerged. The most successful people weren't those with the most flexibility - they were those with the most intentional constraints: - One founder pre-books his next vacation before returning from his current one - One implemented a strict "no meetings after 3 pm" policy - Another enforces a "15-minute rule" - if you're stuck longer than that, you must ask for help These aren't just random rules. They're intentional constraints that: - Make important priorities non-negotiable - Eliminate decision fatigue - Prevent time from "disappearing" - Force solutions you wouldn't find otherwise My personal example? I bought non-refundable tickets for a month-long break before figuring out how to make it work. The constraint of "committed money" forces creativity that "good intentions" never would. Think about your own life: Where could a well-designed constraint create more freedom? What guardrails would actually help you move faster? Remember: A river without banks is just a flood. Sometimes, the right constraints don't limit you - they channel your energy toward what matters most. #Productivity #TimeManagement #Leadership #PersonalDevelopment

Busy Season Tips to Push on Through!! First of all, you got this!! Whether you are on the client side or a busy CPA in public accounting, deadlines are fast approaching. Busy season or not, effective time management is crucial for achieving professional success and personal well-being. Here are key strategies that can help you stay on top of your tasks without burning out: 1. Prioritize Ruthlessly: Not all tasks are created equal. Use the Eisenhower Box (urgent-important matrix) to distinguish between tasks and prioritize them accordingly. 2. Time Blocking: Allocate specific blocks of time to different activities or tasks. This helps maintain focus and increases productivity by reducing the context-switching that drains energy. 3. Set Clear Goals: Start each day with a clear set of objectives. What do you want to achieve by the end of the day? This clarity propels action and reduces procrastination. 4. Embrace 'No': Protect your time. Politely declining additional commitments that don't align with your current priorities or values can save you hours of lost productivity. 5. Leverage Technology: Utilize project management tools and apps to keep track of deadlines, set reminders, and organize your tasks more efficiently. Remember, time management is not about squeezing as many tasks into your day as possible. It's about simplifying how you work, doing what matters, and getting things done in the most efficient manner. Let's share: What time management strategies have worked best for you? #TimeManagement #ProductivityTips #ProfessionalGrowth #WorkLifeBalance

Time management isn't about managing time. It's about managing yourself. Most professionals waste 75% of their time on tasks that don't drive success. The evolution of time mastery: REACTIVE → PROACTIVE → STRATEGIC → MASTERFUL At the surface: Everyone talks about time management But few understand energy management Even fewer grasp attention management The 4D system changed everything for me: 1. Do it now Tasks that directly impact your goals High-value activities that create momentum 2. Delegate it Tasks others can handle better Activities that drain your energy 3. Defer it Tasks that need time to mature Projects requiring more information 4. Delete it Tasks that don't serve your goals Activities that waste mental bandwidth The hidden truth: Your calendar reveals your priorities Your to-do list exposes your focus Your completed tasks show your strategy But here's what most miss: Time management systems fail because they focus on the wrong metric. The goal isn't to do more things The goal is to do the right things The vital few that drive real results When you master this, something transforms: • Mental clarity increases • Strategic thinking emerges • Decision-making improves • Results multiply Your most valuable asset isn't time It's your focused attention Start treating it that way. Like and share if this resonated with you 🎯