The pace of work has significantly increased due to the ongoing advancements of technology. The skill of prioritising, therefore, is a key tool and habit for those great EAs making great inroads with their executives.

Once you know where to put your energy, focus and efforts, the way you work and the efficiencies you gain in your schedule will be tangible. 

Below, three EAs offer their insights and advice. 

Regular face-to-face meetings

“Communication is key,” according to Nina Hoven, former EA of the CEO and CFO at GWA Group. Communication within the scope of an EA role is essential. 

Regular meetings with the executive or team you support is critical to understanding what is on the agenda for the week and what is a priority. 

Meeting on a Monday morning is ideal but decide on what best works for you and your team, Hoven underscores.

Strict calendar and task management

Executives are busy and so are you, which is why calendar management is vital to a successful hour, day, week or month.

Use your calendar to section off hours within your week to block out distractions; this is a great chance to work autonomously. These don’t have to be tasks such as sending out agendas and board packs – it can be trivial or simple admin. 

Schedule regular key meetings a year in advance, as this will save you last-minute rescheduling and create timelines that everyone can work with. 

“Lists are the go-to,” says Suzie Shehata, EA to the CEO of Karitane. Prioritising for yourself and your executive is vital, she says.

RELATED: The skills differentiating great EAs of the future

Delete and file your emails

Emails should be seen as a temperature check – they reflect priorities and should be used to gauge what the executive regards as important that week. Emails can be 24/7 so scanning urgency is vital and this is significantly lessened when you file emails by categories and projects, and deleting all irrelevant ones.

Using colours to coordinate your emails by priority level is also a huge time saver in the long run. Organise colour schemes with your executive and team to understand urgency and tasks that need their follow up.

Also save time by writing drafts for your executive and save them in a dedicated folder.

Overall, the keys to time management success in an EA role are to be adaptable and flexible, according to Brie Stevens, EA to the CEO of Inchcape Australia. 

You can’t control everything but if you prioritise well, organise yourself (and stick to it) you will be successful in completing your tasks in a busy role, she offers.

The panel provided their tips as part of an EA networking event, “Stretched five ways – tips for prioritising”, held in Western Sydney. 

Read more of our career advice for EAs here, check out our latest job opportunities or get in touch with a Page Personnel recruitment consultant today.

RELATED: The Modern EA: What you need to do to stay relevant

Join over 60,000 readers!
Get a free weekly update via email here and help kick start your career.

Advertise Your Role With Us

Advertise Your Role With ReachTalent