Focusing on time management can lead to a more productive and happier workforce.

Successful businesses usually translate to busy executives, managers and employees. Taking advantage of optimization services like breakthrough consulting can provide major benefits for companies, and some simple time management advice can also help out workers.

A recent article from Entrepreneur magazine pointed out that immediate urgency and long-term importance are very different concepts that often operate at cross purposes. Short-term decisions made to the benefit of current deadlines and goals can negatively affect long-range plans and even poorly influence personal health. Balancing the two ideas can be difficult, but useful advice from Entrepreneur can help workers be successful in the short and long runs.

Schedule and prioritize

A good plan for the day’s tasks goes a long way toward minimizing stress and confusion. Instead of working to meet deadlines and not leaving time for review, corrections or even just a few minutes to breathe, Entrepreneur recommends following a schedule that is adaptable, allowing for the reality of unforeseen circumstances disrupting a thought-out timetable for the day.

A schedule should have a variable scope – the ability to change based on unavoidable issues that can crop up – but still be followed so that some work is done on a planned task. By staying ahead of deadlines, you also provide enough time to handle unexpected problems without too much stress. Sticking to a schedule day after day means developing good habits.

Most people are fresher at the beginning of the day than at the end, so putting the most important tasks at the beginning of a schedule means the time spent on them is of a higher quality. It’s easier to create a sense of accomplishment and a positive attitude when a larger project is completed at the beginning of the day, which can spur further progress.

Plan time away from work too

Scheduling your free time may not seem like fun, but making some small changes can have a big impact on productivity at work and how much you enjoy your time out of the office as well. The Economic Times said that changes as simple as a slightly earlier bedtime or a change in when you eat meals – especially if you feel sleepy after eating – can impact your productivity on the job. The same goes for getting in some physical activity each day and having a little quiet time to think.

When your business turns to professional consulting services to help reach the next level of productivity, ask about time management advice that can benefit your staff.