Seven Effective Time Management Tips to Boost Productivity & Better Manage Your Time at Work

If you’re constantly thinking, “I’m drowning in emails,” “I can’t get ahead,” or “My to-do list is a monster,” you’re not alone. The issue usually isn’t motivation. It’s that we’re juggling too much at once, without the right tools to stay focused and in control. 

That’s where smart time management comes in. 

The right strategies don’t just help you get through your to-do list. They help you reduce stress, increase productivity and create space in your schedule.   

In this article, we’ll walk through proven time management habits you can build into your daily schedule to get more done and feel less overwhelmed. 

Seven Time Management Tips You Can Apply Today  

1. Ask Yourself These Two Key Questions  
2. Reframe Your Stress 
3. Write Down Tomorrow’s Top Three Priorities—Today 
4. Block Time for Focused Work (FBOT)
5. Use a Timer to Manage Procrastination 
6. Sort Tasks Using the Time Management Matrix 
7. Expect Resistance and Plan for It  

Improve Your Productivity and Build GREAT Time Management Skills 

For Better Time Management, Ask Yourself These Two Key Questions  

Are you spending your time and valuable energy on low-impact work, while important tasks pile up? Do you feel it's easier to default to tasks that feel familiar? Or do you find yourself thinking it’s quicker to do something yourself rather than delegate it?  

We've all been there. However, over time, this slows your progress and limits your growth. 

Before diving into your next task, pause and ask: 

• Is this the best use of my time? 
• Is this the best use of my talent? 

For example, suppose you’re a manager spending an hour formatting a spreadsheet. Could that task be delegated so you can focus on project management, coaching your team or prepping for an important presentation? 

Why it works: These questions act as a filter. They help you separate busywork from meaningful work, so you can focus on the tasks that use your strengths, drive results, and move your work forward.  

Reframe Your Stress 

Stress is the gap between demand and capacity. Not all stress is bad. Some of it can actually sharpen your focus and help you perform. For example, a tight deadline on a proposal might feel overwhelming at first. But if you know it’s temporary and purposeful, it becomes a challenge rather than a crisis.  

However, over time, stress clouds your thinking, lowers creativity, and can trigger procrastination. Long term, it leads to burnout and decision fatigue. 

When that overwhelmed feeling creeps in, ask: Is this short-term pressure helping me grow? Or is it draining me day after day? If it’s the latter, it’s time to reallocate, delegate, or reset expectations. 

Why it works: By naming the kind of stress you're feeling, you take back control. Recognizing when stress is useful versus harmful helps you make better decisions about how to respond. Instead of pushing through blindly, you create space to adjust your workload, set limits, and protect your energy. 

Write Down Tomorrow’s Top Three Priorities – Today  

At the end of your day (even just two minutes before you shut down your computer), jot down your top three priorities for tomorrow. 

For example, before you leave your desk, list things like: 

• Review Q2 budget 
• Prep slides for Monday’s client pitch 
• Schedule 1:1 check-in with Sarah 

Why it works: You start the day with clarity. You’re less likely to get pulled into reactive work first thing. You give your brain a head start. Some of your best ideas might come while brushing your teeth or making dinner. 

Take Control of Your Time & Create a “Focused Block of Time” (FBOT) 

Do you find yourself allowing meetings, chats, or other distractions to interrupt your flow?  Are you "busy" but find it hard to get anything done? 

It's time to stop multitasking and use time blocking to take control of your time. Block off a meeting with yourself in your calendar. Mark it Do Not Disturb. This is your time to tackle deep-focus work. 

For example, do you need to write that quarterly report? That's going to take concentration. Book 90 minutes mid-morning, shut off notifications, and treat it like a client meeting: fixed and non-negotiable. 

Why it works: When you carve out protected time, you create the conditions for real progress. Focus blocks help you work with intention, reduce mental clutter, and avoid the constant task-switching that drains your energy. 

Set Time Limits to Beat Procrastination 

Caught procrastinating, scrolling Instagram or reorganizing your desk drawers for the 7th time? How do you get yourself back on track?  

Set a timer for 5 minutes. Give yourself a short break...but make it intentional. 

You’ve been staring at a blank email draft for 30 minutes. Set a timer, go refill your coffee, then come back with fresh eyes. Short, scheduled breaks reset your mental energy. 

It’s like rebooting your computer when it starts freezing. Sometimes we all need a reset. 

Why it works: Using a timer gives your brain structure. It signals a clear start and end point, so you don't spiral into guilt or avoidance.  

Prioritize Tasks Using the Time Management Matrix 

With your long to-do list, is it hard to figure out what to prioritize first? Draw this on a sticky note or whiteboard near your desk: 

	Urgent	Not Urgent
Important	Do it now (e.g. deadline today)	Schedule it (e.g. team development planning)
Not Important	Delegate it (e.g. form updates)	Ditch it (e.g. endless email threads)

For example, an email marked "URGENT" just came in—but it’s not related to your current project. Ask yourself: Is it urgent for me, or just for someone else? 

Why it works: This tool helps you cut through the noise and make smarter decisions about where your attention goes. When you focus on what's truly important, you'll notice more productivity and a more manageable workflow.  

You Might Slip Back into Poor Time Management Habits...Plan for It! 

Change always feels uncomfortable...at first. That’s normal. You might start strong and then find yourself slipping back into old habits. That’s part of the change cycle. 

For example, you started the year by blocking time for focused work… until one day you let meetings creep back in. The trick? Notice it. Don’t give up. Restart the habit tomorrow. 

Why it works: Planning for setbacks gives you a way forward instead of giving up. Recognizing when you’ve drifted (and knowing how to gently course-correct) keeps your momentum alive.  

Improve Your Productivity and Build GREAT Time Management Skills 

If you’re ready to improve your time management and stop feeling like you’re constantly behind, our time management training courses were built for you. 

At Great Canadian Training, we offer practical, interactive sessions that go beyond theory. These courses are designed to help professionals at every level manage their time well, reduce stress, and boost productivity and performance in a real-world work environment. 

Explore Our Time Management Course Options 

Take the Stress Out with Great Time Management 

Learn how to identify your time-wasters, set clear priorities, and apply effective time management strategies that reduce stress and improve focus. 

COURSE OUTLINE PRIVATE TRAINING REGISTER NOW

Become Great with Time Management Skills and Microsoft Outlook Tools 

Combine Outlook’s built-in features with practical techniques to streamline your calendar, tasks, and inbox. A great option for professionals who want to manage time more effectively using the tools they already have. 

COURSE OUTLINE PRIVATE TRAINING REGISTER NOW

Delegation – The Art of Delegating Effectively 

Master the skills of clear, confident delegation so you can focus on one task at a time. Ideal for managers and team leads looking to reduce busy work and create more time for deep work. 

COURSE OUTLINE PRIVATE TRAINING REGISTER NOW

Take Your Time Back with Great Time Management Workshop 

A fast-paced, 90-minute session focused on building better habits, resetting your approach to productivity, and finding time for what matters most. 

COURSE OUTLINE PRIVATE TRAINING

All sessions are virtual, instructor-led, and designed to help you effectively manage your time. For private sessions, we can tailor the learning objectives to your team's needs and deliver the training either onsite or online.

Explore your options and start building the time management habits that will support your goals, your team, and a better work-life balance. 

See upcoming courses and register today