by Jessica Moore – Northwest Trek Wildlife Park
Are you a manager? Whether your job title actually calls you a manager or not, we all, to some degree are managers. We manage our finances, our work load and our lives. We manage…it’s what we do! But the big question is HOW? How do we work, volunteer, play, sleep, and function on a daily basis? The key is time management! So what does time management really involve? It’s prioritizing your projects and setting realistic, obtainable goals. As interpreters, we know all about setting goals and objectives!
In these difficult economic times, when budgets and staff are getting slimmer, we are all taking on additional work tasks and feeling the pressures of doing more with less. Time management is now more important than ever. Here are a few tips on making the most of your time and getting the most out of yourself and your staff…
- Stay organized – make lists, keep a clean work space and make a daily or weekly work plan to keep you on track. Cross things off your list as you get them done – that alone can be very satisfying and encourage you to get more done!
- Prioritize your work load – focus on what needs attention right away and keep those things that can wait until a later date.
- Do your own work, not everyone else’s – focus on your work plan and leave those little unfinished tasks to their rightful owners.
- Meet your Maslow’s needs – take care of yourself and you will be more productive and happier about life in general! A short break and an invigorating walk will do more for productivity than pushing through and burning yourself out.
We are all in different, yet similar situations, so take these suggestions and make them your own. Be creative with your time and how you manage it – creativity is the interpreter’s spark of life!
For more helpful tips on time management, visit Timethoughts.com.
