Almost every business magazine publishes time management tips because so many of us don’t make the right choices. We continue to try to do more in less time, and we wonder why we can’t get everything done. Effective time management is about eliminating time-wasters and redirecting your focus to important tasks.
Community Manager May/June 2013 referred to Steve Tobak’s Inc. Magazine article about 10 of the biggest time-wasters that sidetrack many entrepreneurs. But, time-wasters aren’t unique to entrepreneurs. Most of us can identify several ways that we wasted time when we think about just what we did today.
Time management is even more important for HOA Boards because there are never enough hands to get to everything that’s needed. Becoming aware of time-wasters and time-savers can help you concentrate on what’s important for your community. Below is a list of time-wasters and the time-saver you can implement to get your Board focused on the right things.
Disorganized board meetings waste time and accomplish little. Taking time to prepare an agenda is time well spent. Stick with the agenda topics for productive HOA Board meetings.
It’s easy to get sidetracked on Internet while researching, updating a website or posting on social media. Definitely a time-waster when you fall into a stupor. These can be important communication tools for a community. Turn this into a time-saver by resisting clicking on links and setting a time limit.
A difficult decision is tough to make, so many Boards revisit the facts repeatedly. Unless new information is available, second-guessing your decision is a time-waster. Recognize that you have made an informed decision and take the appropriate action.
Focus on solving problems with input from experts when necessary. Speculation about a complex problem before you have opinions from experts is a time-waster. Postpone discussions until all the directors have an opportunity to review the opinions, and then the Board can make a fact-based decision.
Taking on too much adds stress for everyone, and there’s always a lot to do in a homeowner association. Learn to recruit volunteers and delegate to them. Prioritize projects. Analyze the value of what you are doing and eliminate low-value tasks. Say “no” to requests that have little value or waste time.
Do you see yourself or your Board wasting time? Just a few tweaks can result in more free time to focus on the important things. You get back some time in your life. And, you accomplish more for your community in the same amount of time. Now, that’s time management!
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Wise Property Solutions is a property management company serving East Tennessee (including: KINGSPORT, TN | JOHNSON CITY, TN | BRISTOL, TN | ELIZABETHTON, TN | ERWIN, TN | BRISTOL, VA | KNOXVILLE, TN) with offices in Knoxville, TN and the Tri-Cities, TN. Specializing in Condominium Association Management, Home Owners Association Management, HOA Management and Gated Community Association Management. The firm is East Tennessee’s only Accredited Association Management Company (AAMC®).