Smart Tips: Time Management & Productivity from Udemy

Udemy's "Smart Tips" is the ultimate micro-learning series. Short, standalone lectures let you learn new skills at your own pace, anytime, anywhere. Find what you need, when you need it. Elevate your learning with Smart Tips.

Time Management & Productivity: Smart Tips

Master time management and equip yourself with productivity tools and strategies using 67 micro lessons

Productivity is essential to get the most out of your life. Time is the only truly limited resource in the world and you can never make more of it. But… by using this Smart Tips course, you can make the best use of every single day. Time management doesn’t just mean getting more done, it means getting the right things done. The things that move you towards your goals, add value to your life at home and at work, and bring you success. So, if you want to be someone who is calm, organised and goal-orientated, then this course is perfect for you.

Welcome to Smart Tips: Productivity. In this course I’ll provide short lectures to help you do something new - fast, so that you can immediately apply it to your work or life. The videos in this course are standalone. That means you don’t have to watch in any particular order. If you’re searching for a specific skill or topic that’s relevant for you, take a look through the available tips to find the knowledge you need when you need it.

In this course you'll learn practical techniques from short action-focused bitesize videos. We cover how to identify what is truly important to you, detailed tips for how to get better at saying no, delegating and negotiating, what you can do about interruptions to win back hours per week, overcoming procrastination and setting great goals, and even how to get the most out of meetings and your inbox. After this course you will be calm, efficient, goal-focused, and above all productive. No more rushing around all day and feeling like you achieved nothing, getting overwhelmed by balancing your work and home commitments, and dreading going in to your office. In fact - you could even be ready for a promotion or new areas of skill growth. We look at lots of real life examples (some of which will definitely get you laughing) and give you practical tools you can use right away to get better results from every day.

I'm Chris Croft, your instructor for this course. I'm an international speaker and widely published author, and have been teaching time management to companies for over 20 years. I've taught all over the world, as well as online, and take an entertaining and practical approach to teaching. I guarantee this course will keep you engaged and amused, and teach you life-changing skills for home and work.

In this course, you will learn to:

Minimise urgent panic tasks and focus on reaching your goals
Define what is truly important to you and where you want to spend your time
Create a calm and effective work environment
Find the time to spend solely on developing yourself
Master to-do lists, organisation, and goal setting
Identify and minimise interruptions and procrastination
Take back control of your inbox and meetings
Overcome overwhelm - get ahead of the game and feel balanced
And lots lots more.

By mastering productivity skills, not only will you pave the way for a future promotion, you'll also be happier in your home life. It’s time to truly identify what makes you happy and what you want your future to look like - then spend all day every day moving towards it.

What's inside

Learning objectives

Become organised, focused and successful across your work and home life
Remove all traces of stress, overwhelm, and disorganisation from your life
Achieve goals you never thought were possible... and more!
Use time management, negotiation, and assertiveness techniques in business and personal situations

Get promoted in work, and organised in life
Take back control of your inbox, and unproductive meetings
Stop procrastinating once and for all
Master to do lists, goal setting, and daily organisation

Become organised, focused and successful across your work and home life
Remove all traces of stress, overwhelm, and disorganisation from your life
Achieve goals you never thought were possible... and more!
Use time management, negotiation, and assertiveness techniques in business and personal situations
Get promoted in work, and organised in life
Take back control of your inbox, and unproductive meetings
Stop procrastinating once and for all
Master to do lists, goal setting, and daily organisation

Syllabus

Introduction

Welcome to Smart Tips: Productivity!

Meet the Trainer

Discover which animal you are!

Prioritising

Introduction: Prioritising

The Difference Between Urgent and Important

How to Get More Time for the Important Things

What is Important or Urgent to You?

Reduce the Amount of Crisis in Your Life

The Test for Unimportance

Reducing the Unimportant

Introduction: Reducing the Unimportant

Why Saying "No" is a Vital Skill (And How to Do It)

You CAN Negotiate Over Time - Here's How

Can you get better at delegating?

Is it okay to say "yes" to something and then not do it?

The Best Words to Use When You Say “No”

Systems for Time Management

Are you a perfectionist? Is that a good thing?

Are you too nice? Should you change - could you change?

Time Stealers - What Can Be Done?

Interruptions

Introduction: Interruptions

What are interruptions costing you?

Dealing with Interruptions Assertively

How To Set Up an Interruption-Proof Environment

What’s Your Biggest Interruption?

Reduce the Effect of Interruptions

Meetings

Introduction: Meetings

How do you deal with meeting latecomers?

Do These Two Things to Start a Meeting

How to Keep a Meeting On Track

How to Make Your Meetings More Effective

How to Avoid Going to a Meeting

Procrastination

Introduction: Procrastination

How to Beat Your Habit of Procrastination

Goals

Introduction: Goals

The Power of Goals: How They'll Change Your Life

How to Make Your Goals Easier to Achieve

Make Your Goals More Effective By Refining Them

Lists

Introduction: Lists

Using Lists to Feel in Control and Lower Stress

Why You Need Two Types of Lists

Using Lists to Get Your Biggest Things Done

Try a “Someday, Maybe” List

Diary

Introduction: Diary

What should be in your diary?

Why Your Diary Should Never Be Full

Never Forget Anything!

Repeaters

Introduction: Repeaters

No More Repeating Problems

Set Up Systems to Deal with Regular Tasks

The Alternative to Talking About Yourself

Emails

Introduction: Emails

Email: Is it possible to have an empty inbox?

How to Set Your Email Up for Maximum Productivity

Switching Off the Ping

Tips for Writing Great Emails

Technology

Introduction: Technology

My Favourite Productivity App of All Time

Use Excel to Boost Productivity

Five Ways to Speed Up Your Typing

Don’t Lose Everything!

Working Environment

Introduction: Working Environment

Tips for a Productive Workspace

Filing: It's Underrated & Misunderstood!

How to Set Up a “Can’t Decide” Box

Reduce Distractions in Your Workspace

Can you get rid of multitasking?

How To Get Your Certificate

Good to know

Know what's good

, what to watch for

, and possible dealbreakers

Develops professional skills in time management and productivity

Taught by Chris Croft, who is an international speaker and widely published author

Covers unique perspectives and ideas that may add color to other topics and subjects

Takes a creative approach to an otherwise established topic, field, or subject

Suitable for students with any level of experience or knowledge of the topic

Offers a comprehensive study of one aspect of the human condition

Reviews summary

Smart time optimization

Learners say this course is easy to understand and thoughtfully presented. It gives practical, engaging time management tips you can use in and out of work. If you want to increase productivity and efficiency, consider this course.

The course emphasizes that multitasking is ineffective. It is better to focus on one task at a time to achieve better results.

"Learnt better ways to be more productive by doing the following: 1. Prioritising task. 2. Effective time management 3. planning"

"Some refreshers of things I knew but needed a push and reminder and other new ideas that I'm going to put into use. Thanks so much."

The course suggests limiting interruptions, addressing latecomers, managing meeting length, and sticking to agendas. These strategies can significantly improve meeting efficiency.

"This is the best Time Management course ever, he touched every aspect and habit a human being expresses including mine."

"Good information but some areas could be condensed into one lesson, rather than having two lessons that cover similar topics."

The course stresses the importance of setting clear goals and prioritizing tasks. Doing so can help individuals stay focused on the most important activities.

"This is an amazing course not just to manage and do things productively at work but outside of it as well. Very helpful. Thank you!"

"Yes, but wondering if it has transcripts, too. I don't want to take time to rewatch and pause if I don't need to. Transcripts would help."

The course offers strategies for overcoming procrastination, such as breaking down tasks, setting deadlines, and rewarding yourself for completing tasks.

"This course was a very perfect one for me. I got to learn new things/skills that will equip me for the future."

"It was helpful to identify what a Box 4 item looks like and to have test questions to determine if it fits in this space."

This course features a quadrant system that breaks down tasks based on importance and urgency. Focusing on "Important but Not Urgent" items (Box 3) can significantly boost productivity.

"The course refresh my thinking on how to plan my in effective way , however it depends on how practical I can do."

"Helps to get things on track and helps me to become more productive."

"Yes this was a perfect match, i got to learn a lot on time management and other crucial things of my day to day life"

Activities

Be better prepared before your course. Deepen your understanding during and after it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered in Smart Tips: Time Management & Productivity with these activities:

Review Basic Time Management Concepts

Show steps

Review the basics of time management to strengthen your understanding of the concepts covered in this course.

Browse courses on Time Management

Show steps

Read an article or watch a video about the Eisenhower Matrix.
Practice categorizing tasks using the Eisenhower Matrix.
Identify areas where you can improve your time management skills.

Discuss Productivity Strategies with a Study Group

Show steps

Engage in discussions and share experiences with peers to broaden your understanding of productivity techniques.

Browse courses on Time Management

Show steps

Join or form a study group with other students taking this course.
Meet regularly to discuss the course material and share tips on productivity.
Work together on practice exercises and projects.

Prioritize Your Tasks Using the Eisenhower Matrix

Show steps

Gain practical experience in prioritizing tasks effectively using the Eisenhower Matrix, a key concept in this course.

Browse courses on Prioritization

Show steps

Create a list of all your current tasks.
Categorize each task using the Eisenhower Matrix.
Create a plan for completing the tasks in each category.

Two other activities

Expand to see all activities and additional details

Show all five activities

Learn about Delegation and Negotiation Techniques

Show steps

Explore advanced techniques for delegating tasks and negotiating effectively, skills that are crucial for productivity and covered in this course.

Browse courses on Delegation

Show steps

Watch a tutorial on delegation best practices.
Practice delegating a task to a colleague or family member.
Read an article or watch a video on negotiation strategies.
Role-play a negotiation scenario with a friend or colleague.

Create a Personalized Productivity Plan

Show steps

Develop and implement a tailored plan to enhance your productivity, putting the skills and knowledge gained in this course into practice.

Browse courses on Productivity

Show steps

Identify your current productivity challenges.
Research different productivity techniques.
Create a personalized productivity plan that addresses your specific needs.
Implement your plan and track your progress.
Make adjustments to your plan as needed.

Career center

Learners who complete Smart Tips: Time Management & Productivity will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

Productivity Consultant

A Productivity Consultant plays a key role in defining and improving the standard operating procedures of a company. This course provides an employee with the skills and knowledge needed to help investigate and understand a company's workflow. The course explains how to maximize the productivity of an employee while making sure the company is operating efficiently. This course may be helpful to a Productivity Consultant because it will help build a foundation for optimizing the productivity of individuals and companies.

See salaries and explore the career path for Productivity Consultant

Business Consultant

A Business Consultant plays a key role in improving the efficiency and profitability of a company. This course offers the skills and knowledge needed for a Business Consultant to identify opportunities to improve profitability, efficiency, and productivity for a client company. The course is especially helpful for Business Consultants who need to provide guidance on strategic planning to help companies maximize productivity and efficiency. This course may be useful to a Business Consultant because it will provide tools for improving processes and maximizing output.

See salaries and explore the career path for Business Consultant

Operations Manager

An Operations Manager oversees and directs the daily operations of a department. This course provides the skills and knowledge an Operations Manager needs to organize and manage resources and teams within a company. It also offers Operations Managers strategies for managing time and resources effectively. This course may be useful to an Operations Manager because it focuses on helping workers maximize productivity using proven tools and techniques.

See salaries and explore the career path for Operations Manager

Project Manager

A Project Manager manages and directs specific projects and initiatives within a company. This course provides the skills and knowledge needed for a Project Manager to guide a team through a project successfully. The course also includes advanced tools and techniques for staying organized and meeting project deadlines. This course may be useful to a Project Manager because it offers strategies for maximizing productivity and preventing issues from sidetracking team progress.

See salaries and explore the career path for Project Manager

Management Consultant

A Management Consultant provides advice and guidance to help companies improve their performance. This course provides a Management Consultant with skills and knowledge they need to evaluate a company's workflow and offer insights into how to increase productivity and efficiency. It offers tools to help Consultants identify opportunities to improve profitability and efficiency for a client company. This course may be helpful to a Management Consultant because it will provide tools for improving processes and maximizing output.

See salaries and explore the career path for Management Consultant

Chief Operations Officer

A Chief Operations Officer manages and directs the day-to-day operations of a company. This course provides the skills and knowledge a Chief Operations Officer needs to lead and direct the activities of multiple departments within a company. This course may be useful to a Chief Operations Officer because it includes strategies for maximizing productivity and preventing issues from leading to a loss in productivity.

See salaries and explore the career path for Chief Operations Officer

Chief Executive Officer

A Chief Executive Officer directs and manages the overall affairs of a company. This course provides the skills and knowledge needed to develop and implement company-wide policies that promote productivity and efficiency. This course may be useful to a Chief Executive Officer because it provides strategies for maximizing productivity and efficiency across the entire company.

See salaries and explore the career path for Chief Executive Officer

Organizer

An Organizer is responsible for managing and planning events. This course provides the skills and knowledge needed by an Organizer who needs to avoid confusion and chaos when planning an event. The course focuses on creating processes and systems that can help Organizers be more productive and prevent last-minute panics from leading to productivity loss.

See salaries and explore the career path for Organizer

Personal Assistant

A Personal Assistant provides administrative and operational support to a busy individual. This course provides the skills and knowledge needed by a Personal Assistant to manage an individual's schedule and complete assignments in a professional and productive manner. The course is especially valuable for Personal Assistants who need to save their clients time and avoid creating unnecessary hours of work.

See salaries and explore the career path for Personal Assistant

Time Management Specialist

A Time Management Specialist leads workshops and training programs to help individuals and teams improve their time management skills. This course provides the skills and knowledge a Time Management Specialist needs to create workshops and training programs focused on optimizing time usage and preventing wasted time. The course includes foundational knowledge about time management techniques and strategies for effective time usage.

See salaries and explore the career path for Time Management Specialist

Industrial Engineer

An Industrial Engineer designs, develops, and installs integrated systems that improve production and efficiency in an organization. This course provides the skills and knowledge needed by an Industrial Engineer who needs to maximize efficiency, reduce waste, and optimize productivity using mathematical modeling and analytical methods. The course also includes tools and techniques for creating processes to improve the efficiency of an operation.

See salaries and explore the career path for Industrial Engineer

Efficiency Expert

An Efficiency Expert analyzes and evaluates an organization's operations in order to improve efficiency and productivity. This course provides an Efficiency Expert with skills and knowledge needed to identify areas for improvement and develop solutions that will increase company profitability. The course includes tools and techniques to improve workflow and create processes that maximize efficiency.

See salaries and explore the career path for Efficiency Expert

Performance Improvement Consultant

A Performance Improvement Consultant helps organizations improve their performance by identifying areas for improvement and developing solutions. This course provides a Performance Improvement Consultant with skills and knowledge needed to assess an organization's performance and develop plans to improve productivity and efficiency. The course includes tools and techniques for improving workflow and creating processes that maximize efficiency.

See salaries and explore the career path for Performance Improvement Consultant

Productivity Analyst

A Productivity Analyst evaluates and analyzes an organization's productivity levels in order to identify areas for improvement. This course provides a Productivity Analyst with skills and knowledge needed to measure, evaluate, and improve an organization's productivity and efficiency. The course includes tools and techniques for improving workflow and maximizing efficiency.

See salaries and explore the career path for Productivity Analyst

Business Process Analyst

A Business Process Analyst studies and analyzes an organization's business processes in order to improve efficiency and productivity. This course provides a Business Process Analyst with skills and knowledge needed to improve the performance of an organization's business processes. The course includes tools and techniques for identifying areas for improvement and developing solutions that will increase profitability.

See salaries and explore the career path for Business Process Analyst