Time Management in Today's Fast-paced Environment

When given a task, most companies check their calendar for an estimated completion date…..at my firm, we check our watches.

Time management is, and always will be, a vital part of one's success. The ability to respond to an email, a phone call, produce meeting minutes, follow up on a bid or any number of tasks that confront us on a daily basis, is the key to maintaining, and obtaining, business.

How many times have we met with potential clients and asked “Why are you thinking of making a change in management”, only to hear that very common answer: “No one ever gets back to us in a timely manner”. How many times have we, ourselves, been inundated with calls, emails, and other “to do's” and realized that we failed to get back to that Board member or homeowner?

Effective time management starts with the old adage….” Only touch the piece of paper once”. That adage has changed somewhat over the years and has most likely been rewritten to say “Only touch the email, phone message or piece of paper once”. By that, we mean that when faced with the task, ACT UPON IT! Either take an immediate action step (return the call, write the memo, respond to the email), trace it for a future date (develop a trace file or some method to recall the item at the appropriate future date) or toss it (yes…..sometimes tossing it is a must!).

By implementing this method, we are getting back to our clients in a timely manner, we are keeping our in boxes (both desk and electronic) lean and mean, and we are expeditiously moving through the controlled chaos that is property management.

So, when faced with a task, look at your watch….take an action step, and keep moving forward!!

Dustan Goodell, President
Somerset Association Management, Inc.
Dallas, TX