Establishing SMART (specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, time-bound) goals can provide direction and focus, as can helping staff prioritize tasks based on urgency and importance. Offer training on time management to equip them with effective techniques and tools. It's also useful to encourage team members to plan their days or weeks in advance with physical planners and calendars or digital tools like project management apps to keep track of tasks.

On top of these, create an environment that minimizes distractions and interruptions. Encourage practices such as setting specific times for checking emails and creating “focus hours” dedicated to undisturbed work. Implement productivity tools and software that can help streamline work processes, such as task managers or time-tracking tools.

Encourage your staff to take regular breaks to prevent burnout and use time management methods like the Pomodoro Technique. To use it, you break work into intervals, typically 25 minutes long, separated by short breaks. These work intervals are called “pomodoros” (Italian for “tomatoes”), and can improve focus, minimize distractions, and prevent fatigue. As motivational speaker Michael Altshuler said, “The bad news is time flies. The good news is you're the pilot.”

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