How can you improve your time management skills to better serve patrons?

2 Set SMART goals

The second step to improve your time management skills is to set SMART goals. SMART stands for Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-bound. These criteria will help you to define what you want to accomplish, how you will measure your progress, whether you have the resources and skills to achieve it, why it is important for your role and the patrons, and when you will complete it. For example, a SMART goal could be: "I will answer 10 reference questions per hour using the online catalog and databases by the end of the week."

3 Prioritize your tasks

The third step to improve your time management skills is to prioritize your tasks. You can use a tool like the Eisenhower matrix, the ABCDE method, or the Pareto principle to categorize your tasks based on their urgency and importance. This will help you to focus on the most critical and valuable tasks first, and delegate, postpone, or eliminate the less important or urgent ones. For example, you can use the Eisenhower matrix to divide your tasks into four quadrants: do, decide, delegate, and delete.

4 Plan your schedule

The fourth step to improve your time management skills is to plan your schedule. You can use a tool like a to-do list, a planner, or an app to organize your tasks and allocate time for them. This will help you to create a realistic and flexible plan that suits your work style and preferences. You should also consider factors like your energy levels, peak hours, deadlines, and breaks. For example, you can use a to-do list to list your tasks in order of priority, estimate how long they will take, and assign them to specific time slots.

5 Execute your plan

The fifth step to improve your time management skills is to execute your plan. You can use a tool like a timer, a reminder, or an app to monitor your progress and stay on track. This will help you to follow your plan and complete your tasks within the allocated time. You should also avoid multitasking, minimize interruptions, and seek feedback. For example, you can use a timer to set a time limit for each task, a reminder to alert you of upcoming deadlines, and an app to track your performance and results.

6 Review and adjust

The sixth step to improve your time management skills is to review and adjust. You can use a tool like a journal, a survey, or an app to reflect on your achievements and challenges. This will help you to evaluate your plan and identify what worked well and what needs improvement. You should also celebrate your successes, reward yourself, and seek support. For example, you can use a journal to write down your accomplishments and difficulties, a survey to ask for feedback from your patrons and colleagues, and an app to reward yourself with points or badges.

7 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?