At FormDr, we are fixated on saving time for our customers, our customers’ patients and even for ourselves. Afterall, our digital intake forms and form builder were created to make offices run smoothly and more efficiently. Beyond patient appointment reminders and automatically completing HIPAA compliant forms, we’ve compiled our favorite simple time management tips + how to’s to share each month.
Do you find yourself busier than ever? Sure, you are working harder and longer than ever, but it seems you never get everything done. Distractions and multitasking, although glorified in many ways, are to blame.
Researchers have found that all of this mental task-switching could cost anywhere from 20 to 40% of your potential efficiency in a day. Every time you switch tasks, your brain requires time to “catch up” to the new task. This actually wastes time and makes you less effective. You can actually accomplish more in less time by concentrating on one task at a time and blocking out distractions.
Time Saving Tip of the Month – Batch Your Time.
Before you jump headlong into time batching, take a day to journal your “normal” daily routine. Take note of how many times you stop to check your phone? Answer an email? Have a quick conversation or instant message with a colleague? All of this seemingly normal workday activity is sucking your productivity down the drain! Actually knowing where your time goes means you can now “sort” your workflow into “buckets”–or similar types of work. For example: answering emails, writing a presentation, pursuing new skills, etc.
Block off time for each group of tasks. It’s simple. You will only do each batch of tasks for 25 minutes, and then you will take a 5-minutes break. Next, you will tackle another 25 minutes. Then another 5-minute break, and so forth and so on. Complete one bucket, then move to the next as needed. After 4 sessions, take a longer break of 20-30 minutes.
It is your workday – break it up in the way that makes the most sense for your workstyle, your deadlines, and your peak work times. This method is called time batching, or the Pomodoro method. There are several online timers you can download to your desktop or phone to help you accomplish this positive change to your work life. The key is – do not let any distractions in. This is what your 5-minute break is for (besides coffee and the bathroom). Most emails can wait 25 minutes before a response is needed. If you need to place a “do not disturb” sign on your office door or send calls to voicemail for a bit, that is perfectly fine.
Try it – and enjoy the peace and productivity that comes from an empty inbox and the knowledge that you are working smarter, not harder!
