5 Ways Technology Can Clean Up Your Schedule - Forbes

Technology is a double-edged sword for busy people. On one hand, smartphones and social media have made it easier than ever to waste time without even noticing it. On the other hand, new software is released every day that’s designed to get your schedule in order. 

Making technology work for your schedule means identifying the areas that require attention and addressing them. Though there are hundreds of apps that claim to get your schedule in check, not every single one will fit your needs. The wrong software can do more harm than good, so it’s important to choose what works for you.

An effective schedule pays big dividends in happiness, productivity, and ease of mind. Reining in your schedule with tech can be an overwhelming prospect, so here are a few places to start:

1. Calendar management

One way to let technology help is to just let it take charge of your schedule entirely. Calendar management-focused applications do the heavy lifting for you by presenting your schedule in easy-to-read designs that prevent your slate from getting overwhelming. A sloppy calendar makes it easier to lose track of your appointments and sabotage your schedule in the process.  

A good calendar management app will do more than just keep track of your schedule — it will do the same for those around you. Dynamic calendar apps that allow users to share schedules makes planning meetings and lunches significantly easier and reduces time wasted on trying to find a slot that works. Getting technology to clean up your schedule requires you to find the right platform to host your schedule to begin with. 

2. Time analysis

Though everyone has a general idea, it can be difficult to know exactly how much time you spend on different activities throughout the day. The average employee spends 28 percent of his time dealing with unwanted interruptions, yet it’s still nearly impossible to know exactly what can be done to eliminate those time drains. One of the best ways to make the most of your schedule is to break it down into its smallest pieces: How are you spending each individual minute of the day? Using software that analyzes how you spend your time is a necessary step toward balancing your schedule.

Some calendar apps have time analysis software built in, while other platforms are entirely dedicated to analytics alone. Once you’ve got a breakdown of your schedule, look for places of possible improvement: Is the amount of time you’re in meetings actually paying off? What about calls? Understanding how you spend your time now is key to spending it better down the line.

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