How often do you find yourself wondering where the time went? Between impromptu meetings, co-worker requests and incoming calls, there are many things that can disrupt your workflow. By the end of the week, you may have completely lost track of your time and realize you didn’t accomplish what you set out to do.

Sudarshan Somanathan, the head of content at ClickUp, says it’s important to consider external and internal factors that may be impacting your day. For example, do you get sidetracked by social media or underestimate how long something will take? Maybe you feel like you’re simply drifting through your day, without any specific goal.

You can rein in your workday by following a few strategies. In this issue of PromoPro Daily, we share Somanathan’s tips to stop losing track of time and make every moment count.

1. Clarify your goals and priorities. Do this at the start of your day. Somanathan says by defining what you want to achieve, you create a roadmap that guides your focus and actions throughout the day. When you’re clear on what you need to get done, whether it’s checking in on clients or working on a long-term project, you can better navigate distractions and improve your focus.

2. Tap into time management tools. When you want to maximize your time, you need to understand how you spend it. Somanathan recommends using time management tools like digital calendars, time-tracking apps or task managers to gain insight into your daily activities. These tools can also help you stay organized by sending alerts for upcoming deadlines and ensuring you block off enough time for each task.

3. Use time blocking. This productivity-boosting strategy involves allocating specific time slots for various tasks throughout your workday. Try visualizing your day in chunks of time. Looking at it from this perspective can give you a clear roadmap that keeps you accountable, Somanathan says.

4. Regularly review your progress. Things will inevitably come up, but it’s important to consistently evaluate your progress. How much time are you spending on different tasks? Depending on your goals and deadlines, you may need to make some adjustments to stay on track.

5. Automate routine tasks. This can free up valuable time and energy, Somanathan says. Maybe you can use a scheduling tool to automatically set up meetings or use your CRM to streamline your lead-scoring process. 

6. Set more reminders. According to Somanathan, this is an effective way to boost your productivity and ensure important tasks don’t slip through the cracks. Set reminders for deadlines, meetings and other key milestones and review your reminders regularly to ensure you’re aligned with your evolving goals.

Regaining control over your time doesn’t have to be complicated. Set clear goals so you know what you’re working toward, do your best to minimize distractions and prioritize your tasks. Small adjustments can lead to big changes in your focus and productivity.

Compiled by Audrey Sellers
Source: Sudarshan Somanathan is the head of content at ClickUp, a cloud-based project management tool.