Managing time effectively is a challenge faced by professionals at every stage of their career. While there is no one-size-fits-all approach, understanding how we spend our time and recognising the habits that shape our productivity can help us work more effectively. During a recent Time Management course at PETA, participants explored practical techniques, reflected on their own working styles, and discovered simple strategies to improve focus, prioritisation, and productivity in the workplace.
Time management is one of those skills that feels simple until you actually stop and look at how your day is really spent. On a recent course at PETA, we explored this in a very practical way, focusing on real habits rather than theory or abstract models.
Breaking Down the Working Day
A big part of the session involved taking a normal working day and breaking it apart to see where time goes.
We categorised tasks into three simple groups:
- Tasks that are essential and must be completed
- Tasks that are important but not urgent
- Everything else that still takes up time but adds less value
Then we estimated how much time we actually spend in each category. That exercise made things very real. It was easy to see how quickly “small” tasks can take over without you noticing.
Some of the discussion that followed was quite honest. A lot of us realised we spend more time reacting to tasks than planning them.
Working Styles and Habits
Later in the session, we looked at different time management styles and reflected on which one we relate to most.
The four main types were:
- The perfectionist, who focuses heavily on detail and quality
- The procrastinator, who delays tasks and often feels overwhelmed
- The multitasker, who tries to do several things at once
- The over committer, who says yes to too much and struggles with boundaries
What was interesting here was that nobody fit just one category neatly. Most of us saw bits of ourselves in at least two of them, depending on workload or pressure.
It made the conversation feel more realistic rather than labelled or fixed.
Techniques We Explored
We then moved on to different time management techniques and how they can be applied in real situations. This included the Eisenhower Matrix, the Pomodoro Technique, and the Two-Minute Rule.
Each one had a slightly different focus. For example, the Eisenhower Matrix helps you separate urgent tasks from important ones, while Pomodoro is more about focus and short bursts of productivity. The Two-Minute Rule is more immediate, encouraging you to just get small tasks done straight away instead of delaying them.
It was useful to see how different tools suit different types of work rather than there being one “correct” method.
Group Task: Eat the Frog
One of the most memorable parts of the day was a timed group challenge. We had 25 minutes to present a time management technique in a creative way.
Our group chose the “Eat the Frog” method, which is based on doing your most difficult or important task first.
The experience itself was quite intense. There was a clear shift once the timer started, everyone became more focused, communication sped up, and decisions were made much faster than usual. We didn’t overthink things. We just had to get it done.
Afterwards, we reflected on how it felt working under pressure. Most of us said it felt slightly overwhelming at first, but also surprisingly productive. We still managed to complete the task within the time, which linked back nicely to the idea that structure helps even when pressure increases.
Action Planning
At the end of the session, we completed an action plan focused on personal improvement
For me, the main areas were prioritising tasks more effectively and improving focus during work periods.
My action points looked like this:
- Use time blocking more consistently during the week
- Focus on high priority tasks earlier in the day when concentration is stronger
- Use the Pomodoro Technique to stay more structured during work sessions
One habit I want to focus on this week is being more intentional with my attention, rather than switching between tasks too often.
Final Thoughts
The session was led by Emma Quance, who kept the atmosphere engaging and made the topic feel interactive rather than theoretical.
“What I love about delivering Time Management is the flexibility. It’s not about telling people what they should do – it’s about helping them reflect honestly, take accountability, and build strategies that actually fit their lives.” - Emma Quance
Overall, it was a useful reminder that time management is not just about doing more but about doing the right things at the right time. Small changes in approach can make a noticeable difference, especially when they are applied consistently in real work situations.