Time management and stress have long gone hand in hand and are often a part of everyday life. Those concepts are only further exacerbated when carried over into the workplace, where the consequences for missing deadlines can mean being reprimanded and may even have a life-threatening impact on one’s health.
According to Web MD, stress in the office is a source for anxiety in nearly 40 percent of working Americans, with 25 percent reporting that the No. 1 stress factor in their lives is found at work. As heart disease continues to be the primary killer in America, the Mayo Clinic warns that unresolved stress is a high risk factor for contributing to various disorders related to the cardiovascular system, including heart attacks.
That’s why now more than ever it is imperative for companies and their workers to engage in better time management and stress-reducing practices to a ensure consistent, quality work product.
Here are a few tips to relieve stress through time management at work:
Work smarter, not harder
According to Forbes, it is always preferred to be looking for better ways to do things faster and accomplish multiple goals at once. However, it’s important not to take shortcuts that sacrifice the quality of work for the sake of saving time.
Set priorities and say no
By setting priorities, however few, at the beginning of each day, employees set themselves up for success. These priorities are on the list for a reason and their importance requires diligent work that should not be interrupted. That’s why workers who prioritize should also be prepared to say “no” to outside requests or anything else that may deter or distract them from their course.
How business analytics software helps
Companies that utilize programs such as business analytics software aggregate raw data into charts and tables that can provide a snapshot of how time is being spent at work in various departments, by employee or by task. When used with incentive compensation software, employees can plug numbers into a calculator that allows them to manage priorities and account for what they need to accomplish in order to achieve certain bonuses or promotions. This management software relieves some of the pressure from employees as they can begin to draft an idea of what their work schedule should entail and can project advanced financial goals.
Companies and workers who practice these tips are likely to produce better work at a more efficient pace.