Estimating Time
Estimating time is a highly under-estimated skill. Most people that I know don’t estimate time as well they would like to think they do. Estimating time in particular can be challenging.
Everyone I work with struggle to estimate how long it will take them to complete their daily activities. Whether it is a small task like sending an email or getting the kids ready and out the door for school – we tend to think it will take us less time than it does. When that happens we end up rushing, running late, and getting frustrated with ourselves or anyone else involved.
If we estimated more accurately how much time a task takes to complete then you would naturally schedule or set aside the correct amount of time to complete it. Your stress would be reduced because you completed tasks on time and you be more productive. Learning to hone this skill can help make tasks at home and work a little easier.
Estimating Your To Do List
So how can we flex this estimation muscle and hone this skill? Practice practice practice. When I work with clients on time management I assign this exercise. It can be a real eye opener.
To start, when you type or write out your task list (either at work or at home), write next to the task how long you estimate the task will take you. For example, if you have reply to sister’s email, draft a report, and meal prep estimate the time it takes to complete each one. Then time yourself while you complete the task. If you had 5 minutes for the email written but it actually takes you 10 minutes then you know in the future you need to give yourself more time.
You may also notice patterns depending on the task. You might be great at estimating emails or other tasks related to writing but struggle with tasks related to housework. With that knowledge you can start to add buffer time to each task going forward.
Time Timer + Other Gadgets
A helpful tool for managing and estimating time is a timer. A timer separate from your phone unless you mute all notifications on your phone.
The best timer I have used is the Time Timer. This timer shows the passage of time as it counts down. Being able to see how quickly time passes on this timer. When the time is up it beeps but it also has a silent mode.
Using the exercise above you can track your time and the time timer can assist in observing time and how you use it. Time Timer isn’t the only timer out there. Find one that works for you. There is an app if you prefer to use your phone but I highly suggest you put your notifications on mute or do not disturb so that you are not distracted by your phone and only use it as a timer.
Final Thoughts
Practice Practice Practice!
Try estimating your tasks for the day and see how accurate you are. It can be very interesting to see what tasks take longer and others take no time at all. Use your estimations to schedule your day around your tasks and meetings. Don’t forget to add travel time in your estimation of activities.
Let me know in the comments when you try this exercise. How good are you at estimating time?
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