The top 5-time management tools for a manager to use in 2023

Time management can be a challenging task to undertake and often seems to be a game of luck. It is a crucial skill for anyone looking to increase productivity, meet deadlines, and achieve their goals. There are many different time management tools and techniques available to help you manage your time effectively, and it can be challenging to know where to start. In this blog, we will explore some of the most popular and effective time management tools, including apps, software, and methods. This blog is designed to help you find the right time management tools for your needs.

What is time management?

‘Time management ‘ is a process of organizing and managing time so that it can be used effectively for tasks and goals. It is a way of managing the time that allows individuals to work efficiently and effectively to meet goals while prioritizing tasks and maintaining good productivity levels. It involves setting priorities, making a schedule and sticking to it, and using time management tools and techniques to increase productivity and manage time effectively.

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Is time management important?

Time management is important for everyone, but it is especially crucial for managers. When you are a manager, time management is essential to stay productive and effective at. Some of the key benefits of effective time management include:

• Improved productivity: By prioritizing your tasks and focusing on the most important ones first, you can get more done in less time.
• Reduced stress:  – Time management can be challenging, but with the help of the right time management tools, it can be easier than you think. They can help you feel more in control of your workload and reduce feelings of overwhelm or stress.
• Better use of time: Effective time management allows you to make the most of your time and avoid wasting it on unimportant tasks or activities.
• Improved work-life balance: By managing your time effectively, you can ensure that you have enough time for both work and personal commitments, leading to a better balance between the two.
• Greater success: time management is important for anyone to stay on top of their game and achieve their goals. If you invest time in managing your time effectively, you can accomplish more and enjoy life to the fullest.

Click here to read in detail about the importance of time management in work-life balance for managers.

What are time management tools?

Time management tools are tools or techniques that help individuals plan, organize, and prioritize their tasks and responsibilities to manage their time more effectively. These tools can be physical or digital, and they can help you stay organized, prioritize your tasks, and improve your productivity. Some common time management tools include timers/stopwatches, task lists, daily planners, time-tracking software, and training courses. These time management tools can help you stay on top of your responsibilities, make better use of your time, and achieve your goals more efficiently.

The different types of time management tools

Time management is not an easy task, but with the help of time management tools, it becomes easier to stay focused and accomplish tasks at the right time. There are numerous time management tools available today to help you achieve your goals in time. Here are the top five most-used time management tools-

To-do lists and calendars

Calendars are used to schedule appointments, meetings, deadlines, and other events. By having a clear overview of your upcoming commitments, you can plan your time more efficiently and avoid double-booking or conflicts. To-do lists are used to organize tasks that you need to complete. They can help you remember what you need to do, prioritize your tasks, and track your progress. To-do lists can also be used to break down larger projects into smaller, more manageable tasks.

When using calendars and to-do lists together, you can also assign specific tasks to specific blocks of time on your calendar. This will help you see exactly when you have time to work on certain tasks and make it easier to plan your day and week.

For effective time management, it’s important to regularly review your calendars and to-do lists and make adjustments as needed. By doing this, you can ensure that you are staying on top of your commitments and making progress toward your goals. Following are some tools to use for to-do lists and calendars: –

• Todoist: This is one of the time management tools that allows you to create and organize tasks, set due dates and priorities, and even manage multiple projects at once. It also has a calendar view to have an overview of your upcoming deadlines and due dates.
• Timepage: This app is a calendar app that helps you keep track of events, appointments, and deadlines. It has a simple and elegant design and includes features like weather forecasts, time zones, and time-based reminders. It also supports integration with other calendar services like Google and Outlook.
• Google Calendar/ iCal

Pomodoro timer

The Pomodoro Technique is a time management method developed by Francesco Cirillo in the late 1980s. The technique uses a timer to break down work into intervals, traditionally 25 minutes in length, separated by short breaks. These intervals are known as “Pomodoros”. The idea is that by taking regular breaks, you can improve your focus and productivity while also preventing burnout.

Here’s a basic overview of how the Pomodoro Technique works:

• Decide on the task you want to work on.
• Set the Pomodoro timer (traditionally to 25 minutes).
• Work on the task until the timer goes off.
• Take a short break (typically 5 minutes).
• Every 4 “Pomodoros” take a longer break (15–30 minutes)
• Repeat the process until the task is complete or you’ve reached your desired number of Pomodoros for the day.

Pomodoro timers are now widely used time management tools that help users to time the Pomodoros and manage the tasks; some of them are even built into project management software tools.

• Focus To-Do: This app is based on the Pomodoro technique, which encourages you to work in short, focused bursts with short breaks in between. It allows you to set a timer for a specific task, and when the timer goes off, you take a break. This helps you to stay focused on one task at a time and prevent burnout.

Project management software

Project management tools allow you to organize and track the progress of projects. They help you organize tasks, plan time frames, estimate completion time, and monitor progress. These tools often include features such as task lists, calendars, and document management. There are many project management software available, and the best one for you will depend on the specific needs of your team and the type of project you are working on. Some popular options include:

• Asana: Asana is a web-based project management tool that allows teams to collaborate and manage tasks and projects in one place. It offers a range of features, including task assignment, due dates, and file sharing.

• Trello: Trello is a visual project management tool that allows teams to organize tasks using boards and cards. It is easy to use and has a flexible structure that can be adapted to a variety of use cases.

• Jira: Jira is a popular tool for software development teams, and it offers features such as bug tracking, agile project management, and integration with other software development tools.

• Basecamp: Basecamp is a web-based project management and team collaboration tool that offers a wide range of features, including task assignments, scheduling, file sharing, and group messaging.

• Monday.com: Monday.com is a project management tool that allows teams to organize and track tasks, projects, and workflow in one place. It provides a user-friendly drag-and-drop interface and a variety of customization options.

Time tracking software

These are the time management tools that allow you to track how much time you spend on different tasks or activities. This can help you identify areas where you may be wasting time and make adjustments to improve your efficiency.

There are many time-tracking software options available for managers to use. Here are a few popular ones:

• Toggl: This is a simple, easy-to-use time-tracking tool that can be used on desktop and mobile devices. It allows you to track time on projects and tasks, create detailed reports, and integrate with other tools such as Asana, Trello, and Jira.
• Harvest: This is another popular time-tracking tool that allows you to track time, generate invoices, and create detailed reports. It also includes a calendar view and the ability to set up budgets for projects. It has a simple, user-friendly interface and integrates with other tools such as Asana, Trello, and Basecamp
• Clockify: This is a free time tracking tool that is designed for teams. It offers a range of features, including time tracking, project management, and detailed reports. It also has a built-in timer and the ability to track billable hours. It also offers integration with many other tools like Trello, Asana, and Jira
• Time Doctor: This is a time-tracking tool that is specifically designed for remote teams. It includes features such as time tracking, screenshots, web and app usage tracking, and detailed reports. It also includes a built-in timer and the ability to track billable hours. It offers integrations with various project management and invoicing tools.
• Forest: This app gamifies time management by using a virtual forest as the representation of your productivity. You can set a timer for a specific task, and during that time, a tree will grow in your virtual forest. If you break the timer, the tree will die. This creates a visual representation of your progress and helps you stay focused on your task.

Productivity apps

Productivity apps have become increasingly popular in recent years as a way to help individuals manage their time, stay organized, and achieve their goals. These apps are designed to streamline tasks, automate repetitive processes, and provide a centralized location for important information. We’ll take a look at some time management tools that can help you increase productivity, manage your schedule, keep track of your to-do lists, and even boost your creativity.

• Evernote: This is a note-taking and organization tool that allows you to capture ideas, organize notes, and collaborate with your team. It includes features such as note templates, the ability to take and organize handwritten notes, and a web clipper to save articles or webpages for later.

• RescueTime: This app tracks the time you spend on your device and provides detailed reports on how you’re spending your time, allowing you to set goals and alerts to help you stay on track. It also offers a “FocusTime” feature that blocks distracting websites for a set period to increase your productivity.

• Asana: This is a task management tool that allows you to create and assign tasks, set due dates, and collaborate with your team. It also includes features such as calendars, project templates, and progress tracking. It also offers integration with various other tools like time tracking apps and messaging apps.

• Trello: This is a visual task management tool that allows you to organize tasks and projects using boards, lists, and cards. It is great for tracking progress, assigning tasks, and collaborating with your team. It also offers a range of integrations with other tools like time tracking and calendar apps.

• Slack: This is a messaging and collaboration tool that allows you to communicate with your team in real-time. It includes features such as direct messaging, group channels, and the ability to share files and links. It also has integrations with a wide range of other tools, making it a great option for teams who need to coordinate across multiple platforms.

Here are 6 proven strategies for managers struggling with poor time management.

5 Examples of effective time management techniques

Apart from the various time management tools discussed above, there are different types of time management techniques as well, each with its benefits and drawbacks. The manager needs to be able to manage their time effectively to achieve their goals.

• Resource allocation: Use resource management tools to plan how resources will be used to best prioritize work and manage projects. This helps people plan, budget, and track their costs and expenses.

• Work breakdown structure: Use a work breakdown structure to analyze tasks and identify bottlenecks. This helps you to break down large projects into smaller manageable tasks that can be completed efficiently. By using these time management techniques, you can effectively manage your time and increase your productivity levels.

• Time review and time tracking: Conduct regular reviews of past performance to identify areas for improvement. By regularly evaluating your work, you can identify gaps in skills or activities that need to be addressed immediately to improve the overall effectiveness of your time management efforts. Track time spent on individual tasks to ensure accuracy and optimize work efficiency. This helps you to identify areas for improvement and decide when to shift priorities to avoid burnout.

• Eisenhower Box Method: The Eisenhower box method is a time management technique that involves grouping tasks into boxes with specific deadlines. This method is good for taking notes, planning projects, and prioritizing tasks. It prevents procrastination and helps you to stay organized and focused on important tasks.

• Habit Stacking: Habit stacking is a time management technique that involves building successful habits one after the other. This approach involves setting up helpful routines to tackle daily tasks such as eating or showering quickly and efficiently. You can also use habit stacking to create positive habits around workouts or eating healthy food. One important thing to remember while using any of these methods to manage time is to be consistent with them and prioritize your work accordingly.

Conclusion

Time management is an important management skill that every manager must learn to be effective. In this blog, we have explored some of the most popular and effective time management tools, shared tips and tricks for using them, and highlighted their benefits. We hope you have found this blog informative and that you have gained some useful insights on how to manage your time more effectively. Remember, the key to successful time management is to find a tool or technique that works for you, set clear goals and priorities, and stick to a schedule. With the right tools and techniques, you can accomplish more in less time and live a more balanced and fulfilling life.