What will I actually learn in this time management course?

You'll learn how to plan your time more deliberately, prioritize what matters, and stay productive without relying on constant urgency. It starts with productive versus unproductive work and weekly planning, then builds into delegation, communication habits, timing, and focus. Along the way, you'll apply the ideas by creating a work plan, tracking your time, and identifying distractions that pull you off task.

Do I need any background before starting this course?

No, you don't need formal time management training before starting. A basic understanding of workplace organization will help, because the course quickly asks you to plan tasks, reflect on work habits, and use simple prioritization methods in everyday situations. If you already manage a calendar, to-do list, or regular responsibilities, you should be ready for the course.

Is this course beginner-friendly for time management?

Yes, it's beginner-friendly if you want practical ways to manage time better and you're willing to look honestly at your own habits. The course uses short lessons, readings, quizzes, and guided activities instead of assuming advanced business or management experience. It's especially useful if you have work or study responsibilities you can use as real examples while you learn.

How long does it take to complete this course?

It takes about 10 hours to complete. That makes it a short course rather than a long multiweek commitment, with work broken into manageable sections. The course includes lessons, readings, quizzes, and guided activities like work-planning and time-tracking exercises.

Are there hands-on exercises or projects in this course?

Yes, but the hands-on work is more like guided exercises than open-ended projects or labs. You'll create a five-day work plan, track your time and energy, complete a work-life balance toolkit, and make a plan to reduce a common distraction. That practice matters because you're applying each idea to your own schedule instead of only reading about productivity.

What skills and topics are covered in this course?

You'll work on planning, prioritization, scheduling, delegation, and managing your time and energy more deliberately. The course also covers time tracking, communication habits, the Eisenhower Matrix, and ways to protect focus by reducing distractions and avoiding multitasking. Taken together, those topics help you build a more realistic and sustainable approach to personal and professional productivity.

What can I actually do after finishing this course?

After finishing, you should be able to build a workable weekly plan, prioritize competing tasks, and decide what to do yourself versus what to delegate or decline. You'll also be able to track where your time goes, estimate tasks more realistically, and handle messages with more intention instead of constant interruption. For example, you could review a crowded workweek, sort tasks by urgency and importance, and create a schedule that protects focus time.

Is this course more focused on theory or hands-on learning?

It's more applied than theoretical, but the practice is guided rather than project-heavy. You'll learn the ideas through lessons and readings, then use them in short exercises like work planning, time tracking, and distraction management. That's a good fit if you want usable methods without a large final project.

Why would I choose this course over other time management courses?

Choose this course if you want a time management class that helps you build a system that fits you, rather than pushing one fixed productivity method. It moves from planning and prioritization into delegation, communication, timing, and focus, and it repeatedly asks you to apply those ideas through personal work plans, tracking exercises, and reflection. If you want a beginner-friendly course centered on everyday work habits instead of abstract productivity theory, this is a strong fit.

Work Smarter, Not Harder: Time Management for Personal & Professional Productivity

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Work Smarter, Not Harder: Time Management for Personal & Professional Productivity

This course is part of Career Success Specialization

Instructor: Margaret Meloni, MBA, PMP

565,229 already enrolled

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4 modules

Gain insight into a topic and learn the fundamentals.

16,840 reviews

Beginner level

No prior experience required

Flexible schedule

1 week at 10 hours a week

Learn at your own pace

98%

Most learners liked this course

4 modules

Gain insight into a topic and learn the fundamentals.

16,840 reviews

Beginner level

No prior experience required

Flexible schedule

1 week at 10 hours a week

Learn at your own pace

98%

Most learners liked this course

What you'll learn

Apply crisis management techniques to prevent and manage crises
Manage time and energy resources effectively and efficiently
Recognize and overcome barriers to successful time management
Plan effectively to achieve your personal and professional goals

Skills you'll gain

Tools you'll learn

Productivity Software

Details to know

Shareable certificate

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Assessments

4 assignments

Taught in English

91%

of learners achieved a positive career outcome

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This course is part of the Career Success Specialization

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There are 4 modules in this course

This course is for professionals, project managers, administrative assistants, and anyone seeking to enhance their personal and professional productivity. You will gain and apply knowledge of personal and professional awareness, organization, and commitment. Learn to use tools, methods, and techniques in goal setting, prioritization, scheduling, and delegation to overcome time management challenges and enhance productivity.

Upon completing this course, you will be able to: 1. Plan effectively to achieve your personal and professional goals. 2. Recognize and overcome barriers to successful time management. 3. Identify specific time management tools (e.g., digital calendars, task management apps) and use them effectively. 4. Manage resources both effectively and efficiently. 5. Keep your sense of perspective to prevent and manage crises. 6. Delegate effectively. 7. Manage expectations and say “No” when appropriate. To be successful in this course, you should have a basic understanding of workplace organization and a desire to improve personal efficiency.

Module details

Welcome to Module 1: Time Management Fundamentals and Planning! This foundational module will help you distinguish between productive and unproductive work, understand the critical importance of prioritizing, and master the basics of time planning. You'll reflect on past work situations and create your own individual work plans, setting a strong foundation for enhanced personal productivity. To succeed, actively engage with the reflection exercises and start building your plan!

What's included

2 videos6 readings1 assignment2 discussion prompts

2 videosTotal 5 minutes

Being Productive2 minutes
Task Prioritization2 minutes

6 readingsTotal 65 minutes

About this Course10 minutes
Productive vs. Unproductive Work15 minutes
Prioritize, Prioritize, Prioritize!5 minutes
Plan Your Time10 minutes
Find a System that Works for You5 minutes
Resources20 minutes

1 assignmentTotal 30 minutes

Smart Work Habits Just Don't Happen30 minutes

2 discussion promptsTotal 50 minutes

Unproductive Work20 minutes
Learning Activity30 minutes

Welcome to Module 2: Work-Life Balance and Delegation! Building on your time management fundamentals, we'll tackle the concept of work-life balance and equip you with a practical toolkit. You'll learn to evaluate time/money tradeoffs and master effective delegation, crucial skills for any project manager or administrative assistant. This module empowers you to manage your workload and achieve greater personal productivity. Focus on applying the toolkit to your own situation!

What's included

2 videos5 readings1 assignment2 discussion prompts

2 videosTotal 5 minutes

Time Tracking2 minutes
Eisenhower Matrix3 minutes

5 readingsTotal 40 minutes

Work/Life Balance is a Myth10 minutes
Where Does YOUR Time Go?10 minutes
The Time/Money Tradeoff5 minutes
It’s Still About Priorities5 minutes
Resources10 minutes

1 assignmentTotal 30 minutes

Time Is the Most Limited Resource30 minutes

2 discussion promptsTotal 65 minutes

Taking Things Off Your To-Do List20 minutes
Learning Activity45 minutes

Welcome to Module 3: Effective Communication and Scheduling! Building on your planning and delegation skills, this module emphasizes the importance of optimal timing and mastering communication strategies. You'll explore personal experiences with time management and learn to journal your energy levels to identify peak productivity times for better scheduling. This will significantly enhance your professional productivity. Pay close attention to the journaling exercises to personalize your learning!

What's included

2 videos5 readings1 assignment2 discussion prompts

2 videosTotal 5 minutes

Handling Communications2 minutes
Estimating Time2 minutes

5 readingsTotal 55 minutes

How Long Will This Take?10 minutes
Communications: When to Answer, When to Wait10 minutes
Keeping it All Together10 minutes
It’s All About the Timing10 minutes
Resources15 minutes

1 assignmentTotal 30 minutes

Little Tips That Make a Big Impact30 minutes

2 discussion promptsTotal 65 minutes

Estimating Time20 minutes
Activity45 minutes

Welcome to the final module, Focus and Productivity! Here, we'll explore how sharp focus can be your competitive advantage and debunk the myth of multitasking. You'll learn to identify and overcome common distractions, solidifying your ability to maintain high professional productivity. This module brings together all your time management skills, preparing you to apply them for sustained success. Stay engaged and reflect on your journey to maximize your learning!

What's included

2 videos7 readings1 assignment2 discussion prompts

2 videosTotal 5 minutes

Multitasking: The Myth2 minutes
Avoiding Distractions2 minutes

7 readingsTotal 62 minutes

Focus is a Competitive Advantage10 minutes
Multitasking is Madness10 minutes
Overcoming Common Distractions15 minutes
It’s All Up to You10 minutes
References2 minutes
Resources10 minutes
Course Wrap-Up5 minutes

1 assignmentTotal 30 minutes

Productivity Comes from Paying Attention30 minutes

2 discussion promptsTotal 40 minutes

Activity20 minutes
Work Smarter, Not Harder20 minutes

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Instructor

Instructor ratings

(3,480 ratings)

Margaret Meloni, MBA, PMP

University of California, Irvine

33 Courses1,291,038 learners

Offered by

University of California, Irvine

Learner reviews

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Showing 3 of 16840

Reviewed on Dec 1, 2020

Excellent presentation in a succinct, easily comprehended style. Loved the video links about multi-tasking. Wow! It totally makes sense that we've got that all wrong--even as it applies to computers.

Reviewed on Apr 10, 2020

Its a very nice and important course for our day to day life. Very effectively tutor explained the each and every topic in a very efficient manner which anyone can understand easily. Thanks.

Reviewed on Jun 14, 2017

Excelente, parece un tema muy sencillo pero la verdad cuando te empiezan a explicar lo sencillo que puede ser mejorar la productividad uno cae en cuenta de que había estado malgastando mucho su tiempo

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