Time management for case managers is essential. But keeping up with a demanding caseload, client schedule or overdue paperwork — and keeping your cool while you do it — is challenging no matter who you are. So how do the most seasoned professionals in the field of social work do it?
Whether you’re just starting to investigate social work and the wide variety of careers available in the field, or you’re a new graduate who wants to know how to be a good social worker, staying organized and making the most of your time will get you far.
Here’s our best advice for social work students and new professionals alike.
1. Plan Ahead
To properly prioritize your clients needs and effectively manage your cases, you’ll need to start each day with a good sense of what it will entail and what your responsibilities will be. The easiest way to do it is by keeping a planner.
The best planner for social workers is one with a daily view that includes spaces to make notes or keep a to-do list. From there, it’s up to personal preference — but if you’re prone to losing things on your desk or in your bag, consider a color that stands out from your other day-to-day items. Orange and pink zebra stripes may not be your style, but they’re hard to lose.
2. Befriend Technology
One of the best tips for new case managers? Tech doesn’t have to be expensive or complicated. In fact, there are myriad free and low-cost products online that can make staying organized at work much easier. Platforms like Google Docs or Notion make it easy to take notes, create tables and even make templates that you can access from any device with an internet connection.
Keep in mind that you don’t have to go all-in on digital case management organization if you don’t want to. You can keep your calendar on your phone, a to-do list in a notebook and use digital templates for case notes if that’s what works best for you.
3. Block Out Time
Have you ever wished there was a way you could improve your focus and productivity for the tasks you dread or always forget? Time blocking could be the solution you need.
This time management technique integrates the functions of a calendar and a to-do list. The theory is that by dedicating specific blocks of time out of your day to individual important tasks, you can improve focus, work more effectively and make better decisions. It allows you to dedicate your focus to completing tasks rather than attempting to multitask (or procrastinate).
But, like all time management strategies, it only works if you know what you need to do and when. So if you’re still struggling with tip #1, you may want to wait to master that first.
Level up your social work skills at Baylor
If being a better social worker is important to you, advancing your education can help you take your career and your care to the next level. The Master of Social Work (MSW) program at Baylor prepares students to change their communities and the world for the better — and you might pick up some good time management and organization skills along the way.
