Ever wondered why some people succeed and others don’t, despite them apparently having similar abilities and experience? The difference is likely to be that one understands the secret of time management and the other does not. It’s an obvious fact that everyone has the same amount of time available but here are six tips to manage that time to maximise success.

Tip #1 – Work to your internal clock

Some people work best in the morning whilst others don’t get going until the afternoon. Understand which type you are and do the hardest tasks at your best time.

Tip #2 – Prioritise effectively

Separate the important and the urgent, and do those tasks which are both urgent and important first. Leave any other tasks, since they will get done if time permits.

Tip #3 – Take time to be visible

Make sure you are seen regularly by senior decision makers, even if only to say hello. You need to be a familiar face before anything else and if you get the chance to discuss an issue then don’t be shy – go for it!

Tip #4 – Schedule tasks and not just meetings

Most people just schedule meetings, but if you schedule time to do specific tasks, particularly those which are urgent and important, then you will find you achieve and deliver far more than you currently do.

Tip #5 – Present your ideas to senior management

Take time to develop your ideas to improve the business. If you can demonstrate a proven ability to improve the bottom line then you will progress quickly.

Tip #6 – Stop working all the time and start thinking

Everyone thinks that working hard is the secret of success but there is a better way. Take time out to think deeply about the issues that your business faces and develop ideas to deal with these issues. There are plenty of worker bees, the really successful are those that think outside the box and solve problems by leveraging the effects of others.