No matter what time of year it is or what job title you hold, there will always be a need for proper time management. A quick Google search shows there are endless blogs and books on the topic. When I worked for a large corporation, the company even held mandatory workshops to help push specific time-management tactics. But why does it seem that some people can manage their days effortlessly, while others are unable to get a grip on them at all, even with consistent effort?

Being organized and knowing how to go about your day effectively seems like a task that would be easy to teach someone, especially for those who can do it. But when it comes down to the daily tasks, time management may just be unnatural to some. I imagine being persistent would work well for a scientist or salesman. But when you are juggling a dozen tasks as an account manager, sticking on one could ruin the overall productivity of your day.

Lucky as a Four Leaf Clover

I am one of the lucky ones who has a natural knack for managing my time well, yet I have a difficult time sharing the ways I go about it. For example, when I was in college, if I was taking a test and could not solve a question, I would always move on to the next one and come back if I had time. Even during my work day, if one task keeps hitting a road block, I will move onto the next to clear my head. Come to find out, that natural tendency of mine is part of effective time management. How fortunate am I that I don’t even need to think of that step, that my brain does it for me?

Instead of trying to make everyone on your team an effective manager of time, perhaps it would be better to find a manager to keep everyone on track and motivated. Proper delegation, periodic check-ins, gentle nudges along the way, and a guiding hand could go a long way toward increasing productivity and improving morale.

Even people who aren’t natural self-starters and time managers can be effective team members if the right person is watching the clock.