I realize this post can be taken wildly in the “wrong” direction. I personally struggle with setting “off-hour” work boundaries. If personnel is needed immediately for a broadcast or live event- I’m on it, Right Away for as long as it takes. I’ve pulled over on a busy highway (in a safe spot) to make calls, send texts, fb, LinkedIn connect to get crew in-time for a show or air.
Project / Production time management techniques:
There are numerous time management techniques that can help a broadcast production manager effectively manage their time. Some specific techniques that may be useful include:
• Planning and prioritizing: This involves mapping out all tasks that need to be done, setting deadlines and then prioritizing them in order of importance.
• Creating a schedule: A production manager can create a schedule that clearly indicates who is responsible for which tasks, when they are due, and how long they will take, in addition to hiring crew, and creating a happy, safe work environment for all (whether fully remote cloud, on on-site).
• Utilizing project management software: Tools like Trello, Asana, or Basecamp can help a production manager organize tasks, keep track of deadlines, and assign tasks to different team members.
• Delegating tasks: It’s important for a production manager to delegate tasks to other team members (associate pm, production assistants, and runners), this can be achieved by identifying the skill set of each team member, assigning tasks accordingly and following up regularly.
• Setting clear expectations: Clear communication from the beginning on the goals of the project, the timeline and the budget can avoid a lot of issues.
• Staying focused: It is important for a production manager to stay focused by setting specific goals for each day or week and avoiding distractions.
• Regularly reviewing progress: Regularly checking on the milestones and timelines help in understanding the progress of the production and can help in making necessary adjustments to stay on track.
Isn’t it important to take care of work / clients at any cost to my time management/ boundaries?
While it is important to provide good service to an employer / clients, it is also important to set realistic expectations and boundaries for your time management. In the demanding broadcast industry, working long hours are expected, that is not the exception, it’s the base rule (which many of us do), and being available at all times can quickly lead to burnout and impact your performance, which can ultimately affect the quality of service you provide.
By setting healthy boundaries, you can maintain a healthy work-life balance and better manage your time, which can help you perform better overall and ultimately provide better service to your clients. Additionally, setting boundaries can help prevent potential conflicts and unrealistic expectations from clients, which can ultimately lead to better working relationships.
It’s important to communicate your boundaries and expectations to your clients clearly and proactively to ensure everyone is on the same page.
Clients will appreciate the transparency, and having a clear understanding of when and how they can contact you can help you better manage your time and prioritize urgent matters.
It is possible to take care of your clients while still setting realistic boundaries and managing your time effectively. Both are important for your overall well-being and success in the demanding broadcast industry.
As a Project / Production Manager it’s difficult to set boundaries at work, especially when working with many teams across many time zones. I frequently am on calls, Zoom, TEAMS, etc at all hours of the day and night.
It’s not easy to navigate 🧭 but, if you know that you’ll have a couple of hours (or even 15 minutes) at 10a after a 4am daily meeting, take the time to recharge, take a walk, fix a healthy snack or meal, meditate – take time for YOU! That’s the ultimate point.
There are a few ways a project or production manager can set boundaries for their off time in the demanding broadcast industry:
• Clearly communicate expectations: It’s important to communicate with your team and colleagues about your off time and clearly define your work hours and availability. Let them know when you will and won’t be available and how they can get in touch with you for emergencies.
• Delegate responsibilities if possible: Assign tasks and responsibilities to team members so that they can take care of urgent matters in your absence. Give them the tools to succeed too. You can cover them in their off-time, creating a symbiotic working relationship, snd trust. This will help you feel more comfortable taking time off and allow you to fully disconnect.
• Prioritize self-care: Taking care of your physical, mental and emotional health is important, especially when working in a high-pressure industry. Make sure you schedule time for yourself to recharge and do things you enjoy.
• Stick to your boundaries as much as possible: It can be tempting to check your work email or answer calls outside of work hours, but it’s important to stick to your boundaries to avoid burnout. Set up an automatic email reply or voicemail message letting people know when you are available and when you will respond.
By implementing these strategies, project and production managers can set healthy boundaries for their off time in the demanding broadcast industry. In saying that……read on…
Now, as anyone in the industry knows. There are many “off hour” times we must respond (and for as long as it takes to resolve the issue). Below are some guidelines to help navigate responding to work emergencies, and requests.
If you have to respond during your off time in the demanding broadcast industry, it’s important to prioritize urgent matters and set limits on how much time you spend working. Here are a few strategies you can use:
• Prioritize urgent matters: If you receive an urgent email or call during your off time, assess whether it requires immediate attention or if it can wait until your next workday. If it needs to be addressed right away, respond appropriately, but try to limit your involvement to only what’s necessary.
• Try to set limits on your response time: If you do need to respond, be clear about when you will be available and how long you can spend working. Let your team know that you will address the issue as soon as possible, but that it may take longer than usual due to your off hours.
• Use technology to your advantage: Set up rules and filters in your email inbox to prioritize urgent matters and filter out non-essential messages. Consider using an app or tool to help you manage and organize your workload more efficiently.
• Establish clear boundaries (as much as possible): Despite responding during your off time, you should still take time for self-care and stick to your work-life boundaries. Avoid working for extended periods or responding to non-urgent mattersto prevent burnout and maintain a healthy work-life balance.
Remember, it’s important to take care of yourself and set (flexible) boundaries, even in a demanding industry. By doing so, you can improve your overall well-being and performance at work.
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