Time Management

What is Time Management?

Time management is the deliberate planning and steering of your own time. It helps you set priorities, complete tasks efficiently and not lose sight of important goals.

Time Management in Detail

Time management encompasses methods and habits with which you deliberately allocate the available time. At its core is setting priorities: distinguishing the important from the urgent (for example with the Eisenhower principle), clarifying goals and ordering tasks accordingly. Proven techniques are planning and realistic time estimation, bundling similar tasks, setting focus times without distraction, delegating, and deliberately saying no. The aim is not to cram as much as possible into little time but to do the right things at the right time while staying capable of acting and balanced. In communication, time management is doubly relevant: it structures your own work and is at the same time important in conversations, meetings and appearances – for example in handling speaking time or in preparation. Good time management reduces stress, increases productivity and creates room for the essentials. It is not a rigid technique but a trainable skill adapted to your own way of working.

In practice, time management is doubly important in media and appearance communication. First, in the appearance itself: interviews, statements and soundbites are often extremely short, which is why you must get the essentials to the point concisely and use your own speaking time deliberately without losing your way. Techniques such as the three-block technique help you say the most important thing in a few seconds. Second, in preparation: developing messages, thinking through possible questions, checking technology and setting – all this takes time that you should plan for realistically. In discussions and meetings, too, the deliberate handling of speaking time and timing counts. Those who steer their time well in the appearance and in preparation come across as more composed, more focused and more persuasive – and avoid haste, long-windedness and avoidable glitches.

How does time management work?

Time management steers your own time through clear priorities and proven techniques: separate the important from the urgent, plan, focus, delegate and say no. The aim is to do the right things at the right time and stay capable of acting.

Time Management – Examples in Practice

A manager prioritizes her tasks by importance instead of only by urgency. A team sets fixed focus times without meetings. An employee bundles emails into fixed time slots.

Time Management: Key Features at a Glance

• Definition: deliberate planning of your own time
• Core: setting priorities
• Techniques: planning, focus times, delegating
• Principle: important before urgent
• Benefit: less stress, more productivity

Related Terms

• Business Training
• Communication Training
• Target Group Check
• Business Writing
• Web Meeting (Web Call)

Would you like to steer your time better? We support you with our Media Training Professional.

Time Management: Frequently Asked Questions

What is time management?

The deliberate planning and steering of your own time – setting priorities, completing tasks efficiently and keeping important goals in view.

How do you set priorities?

By separating the important from the urgent – for example with the Eisenhower principle – and ordering tasks by their contribution to your own goals.

What techniques help with time management?

Planning and realistic time estimation, bundling similar tasks, focus times without distraction, delegating and deliberately saying no.

Is time management about speed?

No. It is not about cramming as much as possible into little time but about doing the right things at the right time and staying balanced.