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Boost Productivity: Effective Time Management and Goal Strategy

Writer's picture: Mark ReidMark Reid

Updated: Oct 15, 2024

Amidst the hustle and bustle of the modern business landscape, it's important to differentiate between busyness and productivity. Numerous professionals and team leaders find themselves in a perpetual cycle of crisis management, deadline chasing, and struggling to stay afloat. However, true success lies in effectively managing time and establishing precise, achievable objectives.


At MTR Performance Coaching, we’ve seen how transforming your approach to time and goals can unlock higher performance, reduce stress, and drive sustainable growth for you and your team. In this blog, we’ll explore key strategies like prioritising goals, visualising outcomes, implementing the PDCA cycle, and setting clear, trackable targets—tools designed to help you take control of your time and achieve more.

Arrow and clock target bullseye
Healthy Habit: Priotise your time each morning

1. Prioritising Goals: Focusing on High-Value Tasks


A common challenge for leaders is learning how to prioritise effectively. With multiple projects on the go, it’s easy to get lost in the noise and focus on tasks that seem urgent but may not be important in the long run. The key is understanding the difference.


Recent studies show that UK professionals waste up to 2 hours a day on unproductive activities. Imagine what you could achieve if you reallocated that time to tasks that truly matter.


One approach we recommend is the Eisenhower Matrix. This simple yet powerful tool helps you categorise your tasks into four quadrants:

1. Urgent and important (tasks you must do now)

2. Important but not urgent (tasks you can plan for)

3. Urgent but not important (tasks you can delegate)

4. Neither urgent nor important (tasks you should eliminate)


By focusing on high-value tasks in the "important but not urgent" category, you can shift your mindset from reactive to proactive. You’ll be working on what matters most, rather than getting stuck in a cycle of firefighting.


MTR Tip: Each morning, take 10 minutes to list your tasks and categorise them. Prioritise the top two or three that will have the biggest impact on your long-term goals.


2. Visualising Your Goals: The Power of Mental Imagery


Did you know that over 65% of UK professionals feel they don’t have enough clarity in their goals, often leading to a lack of focus and motivation? Visualisation can be a game-changer in this respect, transforming vague aspirations into clear, actionable outcomes. At MTR, we regularly coach leaders to create a mental blueprint of their objectives, ensuring they stay on course and maintain high performance.


In fact, research shows that visualisation can boost performance by up to 35%. When you actively visualise not just the outcome but the steps required to achieve it, you engage both your conscious and subconscious mind, making it far easier to stay motivated and focused.


For example, if you’re leading a team project, visualise how you’ll manage each phase, collaborate with your team, and achieve key milestones. By picturing yourself successfully navigating challenges, you set yourself up to handle real-world scenarios with more confidence and clarity.


MTR Tip: Set aside five minutes at the start of your day to visualise your top goal. Focus not only on the end result but also on the key steps needed to get there.


3. PDCA: A Framework for Continuous Improvement


Time management isn’t just about getting through your to-do list—it’s about improving how you and your team work over time. That’s where the Plan-Do-Check-Act (PDCA) cycle comes in. This continuous improvement model is perfect for leaders looking to boost efficiency, adaptability, and performance.


Here’s how it works:

-Plan: Set clear, specific goals and identify the steps needed to achieve them.

-Do: Implement your plan, focusing on execution.

-Check: Measure your results and compare them to your goals.

-Act: Analyse what worked and what didn’t, then adjust your plan to improve next time.


By applying PDCA, you create a feedback loop that helps you refine your processes and ensure you’re always moving in the right direction. Research by the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD) highlights that companies using this iterative model see a 20% higher success rate in achieving strategic goals.


MTR Tip: Use PDCA for your personal and team projects. After each significant task or project phase, review what went well and what can be improved before moving forward.


4. Setting Clear and Trackable Goals: The Key to Achieving What Matters


One reason professionals often miss their objectives is a lack of clarity and structure. Without well-defined, trackable goals, it’s easy to lose focus or be overwhelmed by day-to-day distractions. Instead of the traditional SMART goals, we encourage using. Clear and Trackable Goals —objectives that give you both direction and a way to measure progress.


Recent research by Dr. Gail Matthews found that people who set specific, written goals are "42% more likely to achieve them compared to those who don’t". This highlights the importance of having a solid plan in place. The idea is to make goals so clear that you can easily track progress and know exactly when you've reached them.


For example, instead of aiming to "increase team efficiency," a better approach might be: "Reduce project turnaround time by 20% over the next quarter by improving task workflows and removing bottlenecks."


By having clear goals with defined metrics, you can evaluate progress regularly, make necessary adjustments, and stay on track. Regular progress reviews keep both you and your team aligned, providing an extra layer of accountability and motivation.


MTR Tip: When setting goals, always ask yourself: How can I measure success, and how will I know I’ve achieved it? This ensures you create objectives that are actionable and achievable, not just aspirational.


Conclusion: Take Control of Your Time and Your Success


At MTR Performance Coaching, we believe that mastering time management and goal setting is not just about working harder—it’s about working smarter. By prioritising high-impact tasks, visualising your success, implementing the PDCA cycle, and setting clear, trackable goals, you can take control of your time and achieve more, both for yourself and your team.


Effective time management and goal-setting are the foundations of sustainable leadership. With the right strategies, you’ll not only hit your targets but also lead with greater confidence, clarity, and purpose.


Ready to elevate your performance? Let’s work together to create a personalised plan that helps you maximise your potential.


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Author: Mark Tanchoco Reid, Founder of MTR Performance Coaching


References

-Covey, S. R. (1989). The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People. Free Press.

-Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD). (2020). Leadership and the Importance of Continuous Improvement. CIPD.

-Henkel, L. (2010). The Impact of Visualisation on Goal Achievement. Fairfield University.

-Matthews, G. (2015). The Psychology of Goal-Setting and Achievement. Dominican University of California.

-University of Warwick. (2018). Study on Time-Wasting at Work


Medical Disclaimer: The information on this site is not intended or implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Always seek the advice of a qualified medical professional with any health questions you may have. Do not begin a new medical regimen, or ignore the advice of a medical professional, as a result of information contained within this website.

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