Discipline and organization – these are two key attributes needed when it comes to mastering the skill of time management. And for interior designers, it’s more important than ever. Time management skills are what keep the days, weeks, and months on track. This one seemingly simple skill allows you to get your jobs done right, on time, and on budget—something you and your clients appreciate.
It can be something that we all struggle with from time to time. Especially when things get a little bit crazy and unbalanced in our work lives. But we can make it easier. Read on below and master time management with these 3 tools for interior designers.
1. TO-DO LISTS
Get into the habit of starting the day off by writing a to-do list. Making lists has been proven to:
- Reduce anxiety
- Increase focus
- Improve productivity
You can make weekly to-do lists, or monthly ones, and then break them down into smaller lists per day. Employ a prioritization system – ranking each task depending on its level of importance. This will help you to manage your time while also making sure you also don’t forget those important things you need to do like invoice dates and client meetings.
After some more tips to help you stay organized? Read our blog on 8 Tips for Helping Interior Designers Stay Organized.
2. EQUIP YOURSELF WITH THE RIGHT SOFTWARE
Making sure you’re utilizing the best software for your business is going to make your job a whole lot easier in a number of different ways. Using a software program that tracks your time effectively can be extremely insightful. It can help you to understand what you're spending the majority of your time on each day.
Ensuring you work with a project and financial management software designed specifically for interior designers can help. It will help to show you exactly what you’re spending the most time on, and where you could potentially streamline your daily tasks.
3. DON’T GET DISTRACTED
Every time you check your emails or have a quick scan of your Instagram account you shift the focus away from the task at hand. It’s more productive and results in less time wasted if you schedule chunks of time throughout the day where you can reply to your emails. Try playing with your email’s filter settings so that if one client is really important, their emails are set to always come right to the top of your inbox, helping you prioritize responses.
