February is National Time Management Month. It was created to encourage people to prioritize tasks and use their time efficiently. While it may seem like a new-age practice, time management has been traced back to the ancient civilizations of Egypt and Greece.

Staying on task and being organized is crucial for insurance brokers like you. After all, your work is time-sensitive. You are meeting with your clients to understand their requirements and provide the right solutions. Additionally, you are keeping track of policy renewals, claims, and other administrative tasks. It can all be overwhelming without proper time management skills.

As an insurance broker, you can harness the power of time management to enhance your current processes, find new directions, and build up your book of business. Let’s unlock organizational strategies that can take you to the next level.

Key Takeaways:

• Create a time management plan by prioritizing tasks and eliminating time-wasting activities.
• Track your time to see what is working and where there is room for improvement.
• Declutter and organize your workspace to increase productivity and reduce stress.
• Automate your activities to cut down on manual tasks.
• Reduce distractions such as email and meetings to increase productivity.
• Make time for client prospecting to grow your book of business.
• Reward yourself for meeting deadlines and completing tasks on time.
  
  

Create a Time Management Plan

To start, you should sit down and plan how you will manage your time more effectively. Create a schedule of your priority tasks and eliminate time-wasting activities. This can include meetings, client calls, administrative work, and breaks. Your tasks should pass the SMART test:

• Specific
• Measurable
• Attainable
• Relevant
• Timely

Track your Time.

Tracking how you are currently spending your time on each task is essential. This will allow you to see what is working and where there is room for improvement.

You can use a stopwatch or a time-tracking app on your phone or computer. The data you collect will allow you to make tweaks to your schedule.

Using a timer can also encourage you to work both smarter and harder. Plus, it will remind you to take breaks, which can improve your productivity and focus.

Declutter and Organize your Workspace

 A cluttered workspace can take a toll on your productivity. Organizing your workspace makes it easier to focus on your tasks and manage your time efficiently.

First, you should start by removing unnecessary items, such as outdated paperwork and supplies. Next, organize your space using shelves, drawers, or other storage solutions. Finally, consider going paperless or digitizing your documents to reduce physical clutter further. By keeping your workspace organized, you can increase productivity and reduce stress.

Automate your Activities.

Automation is having an increased presence in the insurance industry each year. You can use it to your advantage by cutting down on some of your manual tasks.

For example, you can use CRM software to manage prospects. You can also use an email marketing tool to manage client relationships and social media software to schedule and publish posts.

You can use the data from your automation software to analyze success and create more personalized sales journeys.

Cut Down on Distractions

Every interruption can affect your focus and waste valuable time. Email is a prime example. Staying in the loop with clients, prospects, and business partners is vital. However, constantly checking your email is distracting. You will want to set time limits on reading emails to increase productivity and decrease stress.

Meetings are another constant in the daily life of an insurance broker. They are essential but can also take time away from other functions. You will want to decide on a meeting agenda ahead of time, only invite essential personnel, and make sure there is a time limit.

When you want to focus and tune out the distractions, close your office door, turn on relaxing music, or wear noise-canceling headphones. This will limit distractions so you can focus on the task at hand.

Make Time for Client Prospecting

You appreciate your existing clients and value their business. They have helped get you to where you are. At the same time, your success also depends on new leads. So, be sure to set aside time for prospecting. 

For example, you can build 30 minutes into your schedule to search for new clients. You will want to do it when people are more likely to respond. So, skip early mornings and late evenings.

Reward Yourself for Meeting Deadlines

Finally, it will help your motivation if you reward yourself when you meet deadlines or complete tasks on time. This can be as simple as treating yourself to your favorite snack or activity to break up the day.

Introducing changes to your work processes takes time. Tracking your progress and celebrating all the wins as they happen is essential. We wish you the ultimate success and hope these tips will help you manage your time more efficiently. For more on how to enhance your broker skills and services, get your free guide here.