Earlier in my career, I remember being overwhelmed by the sheer amount of work I had to do one day. I wasn’t in a leadership or management role, I was an analyst for a finance company. Feeling stuck, I turned to my then manager, Mike Haywood, for advice on Time Management. He emphasised the importance of Time Management techniques to navigate through the workload.

One simple but powerful tip he shared with me almost two decades ago has stayed with me ever since:

“When you find yourself overwhelmed, choose what you believe to be the most important thing to do next regarding your Time Management, JUST FOCUS ON THAT… and ignore the rest temporarily.”

Sounds simple, right? But in the chaos of competing priorities, it’s easy to feel pressure from all angles and fall into the trap of trying to juggle multiple tasks simultaneously – often resulting in minimal ‘real’ progress.

This method help, because it will:

✅ Get one task off your list, completed to a high standard you can look back on with pride.
✅ Achieve clarity and focus, shutting out the noise of competing demands.
✅ Gain a sense of accomplishment, which fuels motivation for the next task.
✅ Reduce mental clutter, helping you breathe easier and feel more in control.
✅ Build momentum, turning small wins into sustained progress.

It’s not a magic solution for every situation, but in moments of crisis or chaos, it’s been a guiding light for me.

Now, as someone managing multiple projects and responsibilities, I know there are times when you must keep many plates spinning. But when things start to feel unmanageable, this advice remains my anchor.

This isn’t just a leadership or management tip—it’s a universal lesson. Whether you’re an analyst, a team member, or leading a project, this mindset can help you move forward with focus and clarity.

So, thank you, Mike. Your advice has stood the test of time, and I hope it serves others as well as it’s served me.

Alex.

#progress #focus #productivity #growthmindset #careeradvice #upleashed

For leaders out there: Knowing what to focus on is just one part of effective leadership. Understanding how to adapt your leadership style to different situations is equally important.

I’ve shared insights into Situational Leadership and explored three key models—Hersey-Blanchard, Skill-Will, and Path-Goal Theory—to help leaders act confidently in any scenario.

Read the full article here: https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/situational-leadership-three-key-models-explained-hersey-blanchard/

#leadershipdevelopment #situationalleadership #growthmindset #upleashed