Time Management Tips

For most superintendents life means getting pushed in as many directions as a high-handicapper’s tee shots. But it doesn’t have to be that way, said Bruce Williams, CGCS, superintendent, Los Angeles Country Club. Williams delivered a presentation on time management during the Golf Course Superintendents Association of America Show, Feb. 9-14, San Diego, Calif. 

A few of the tips included:

·        Make a list of the things you want to and could do if you had more time and use the list as motivation to improve your time management.

·        List and prioritize weekly objectives

·        Continually ask, “What is the best use of my time right now?” and do it.

·        Devote primary attention to Priority A tasks

·        Take advantage of available technology such as hand-held computers, cell phones, call forwarding, teleconferencing, etc.

Additionally, Williams encouraged superintendents to avoid these common time wasters:

Disorganization: The more organized you operation, whether it’s the files on your desk, or the tools in your shop, the more efficient you will be.  

Procrastination: We all try to avoid boring or difficult tasks. But procrastination can rob you of lots of time. To fight it set a deadline for a difficult task, break the job into smaller pieces and create a reward for yourself for completing the task.

Inability To Say No: “When you take on more than you can handle, your quality will suffer, so you are better off taking on only what you can comfortably handle,” Williams said. But say no tactfully, by using one of these phrases: “I can take care of that, but what I am doing now is more important. Is your request more important?” “I’ll be glad to handle that for you. However, I can’t get to it until I finish what I’m doing. That will be…” “I appreciate your vote of confidence, but I just can’t work it into my schedule at this time. Sorry”

Visitors, Telephone Calls, Mail, E-mail: No matter how well you manage your time, there will always be interruptions and distractions from outside sources. Pay attention to these items and how you handle them. For instance, learn to handle each piece of mail just once. As you read mail, decide what action needs taken and take it or file it way if it is “information only.”

Meetings: Both meetings you call and meetings you attend can waste time. When you call a meeting, Williams pointed out, set an agenda and establish a time limit. Then keep to it. Before you attend someone else’s meeting, make sure it is necessary for you to be there and only attend for the time you are needed.