Time is always tight as an EA. However, while extra hours in the day are impossible to come across, getting more out of the ones you have is a lot more achievable. 

What are some ways you can find more time in your busy schedule?

Pre-planning 

Pre-planning can give you a clear direction to start with, allowing you to jump straight into your day. It's possible to lose more time that you'd expect, trying to figure out what to do with yourself once you've finished a particular task. Whereas, if you already have the next job lined up to do there's no need to stop and decide what requires your attention.

Decision-making around your schedule can consume more time than you'd expect. For example, if you've just walked into work and still don't feel quite awake, it's easy to postpone thinking about what tasks are waiting for you by dwelling over making a coffee. If you'd planned out your morning the evening ahead, however, you can get started on it while still in autopilot.

The problem is we often get stuck in making a choice when influenced by a lot of other factors. Everything from tiredness to talking with others while in the kitchen can impact decision-making abilities. They slow the process down, and don't always result in the best of choices. 

Pre-planning your day or week can streamline your schedule and choices. Additionally, you're distanced from the decision by time, allowing better reasoning to prevail. You can either do this every evening before heading home from work, or sketch out the next week as much as possible on a Friday afternoon. 

A coffee break is a good way to interact with other employees and strengthen your networks.

Doubling up on your hours

Killing two birds with one stone is a great way to make the most out of your time as an EA with a busy schedule. What activities can you pair together to double up on your productivity?

See if you could make use of the following options:

• While travelling for work purposes, take your laptop along with you. This way you can work on projects when your stuck on a train or flying to another city. 
• When responding to your EA emails, use them as a chance to strengthen your networks. After dealing with the important topics mention how much you enjoyed seeing them last, or ask them how a particular project they'd been telling you about went. 
• Use your lunch breaks to increase your knowledge of the company as a whole. Book coffee meetings in with people from different areas of the business to talk with them about what they do, and grow your understanding of how everything links together. Not only are you ensuring you're taking a break, you're also learning.

Know when you're most productive

You'll power through more in a shorter period if you choose the right times to do difficult projects or tasks. If you're slower in the afternoon, try to use these hours for simpler jobs like responding to emails. That way the harder tasks are done when you're working at your best, allowing you to get more completed in a shorter amount of time. 

If you'd like to learn more time-saving advice or how to create a better work-life balance, don't forget to head over to our blog. You'll find plenty of tips and tricks to help you succeed as an Executive Assistant.