17 Best Time Management Activities, Exercises & Games for Employees

Prepare these items before the activity begins so the session runs smoothly.

1. 1

   Teach the Method

   Explain the Pomodoro technique and the science behind focused sprints.

   5 min
2. 2

   Ready the Timers

   Make sure every participant has access to a working timer.

   5 min
3. 3

   Run the Cycle

   Work for 25 minutes, then break for 5 minutes, repeating four times before a longer break.

   5 min
4. 4

   Start Sprint One

   Begin the first 25 minute focused work sprint.

   5 min
5. 5

   Observe Flow

   Observe participants during the sprints and the recovery breaks.

   5 min
6. 6

   Debrief Results

   Discuss how the Pomodoro rhythm changed focus, output, and energy.

   5 min

These outcomes should be reinforced during the debrief.

Use these prompts to convert the activity into workplace learning.

1. What did your team do first during Pomodoro?
2. Which assumption turned out to be wrong?
3. How did communication affect the result?
4. Where did the team lose time or clarity?
5. What workplace situation feels similar to this activity?
6. What would you change if you ran the activity again?

Prepare these items before the activity begins so the session runs smoothly.

1. 1

   List Real Tasks

   Explain that this activity helps participants understand time perception and how subjective time can feel.

   5 min
2. 2

   Place in the Matrix

   Ask participants to close their eyes and raise a hand when they think one minute has passed.

   5 min
3. 3

   Debate Quadrants

   Quietly start a stopwatch without letting participants see or hear it.

   5 min
4. 4

   Delegate or Drop

   Watch and note the moments when participants raise their hands.

   5 min
5. 5

   Commit to the Top

   Announce when the real minute ends and compare it against participant guesses.

   5 min
6. 6

   Discuss Insights

   Discuss variations in time perception and how they affect daily productivity.

   5 min

These outcomes should be reinforced during the debrief.

Use these prompts to convert the activity into workplace learning.

1. What did your team do first during Eisenhower Matrix Workshop?
2. Which assumption turned out to be wrong?
3. How did communication affect the result?
4. Where did the team lose time or clarity?
5. What workplace situation feels similar to this activity?
6. What would you change if you ran the activity again?

Prepare these items before the activity begins so the session runs smoothly.

1. 1

   Teach Kanban

   Explain the Kanban method and how it improves workflow management.

   5 min
2. 2

   Set Up the Board

   Give each participant sticky notes and access to a Kanban board.

   5 min
3. 3

   Write Tasks

   Write tasks on sticky notes and place them in the To Do column.

   5 min
4. 4

   Move the Cards

   Move sticky notes to In Progress and then to Done as work advances.

   5 min
5. 5

   Observe Flow

   Observe how tasks move through the workflow and where they stall.

   5 min
6. 6

   Debrief Visibility

   Discuss the benefits of visualizing tasks and managing flow on a board.

   5 min

These outcomes should be reinforced during the debrief.

Use these prompts to convert the activity into workplace learning.

1. What did your team do first during Kanban?
2. Which assumption turned out to be wrong?
3. How did communication affect the result?
4. Where did the team lose time or clarity?
5. What workplace situation feels similar to this activity?
6. What would you change if you ran the activity again?

Prepare these items before the activity begins so the session runs smoothly.

1. 1

   Set the Goal

   Explain that the activity sharpens concentration and motor coordination.

   5 min
2. 2

   Deal the Decks

   Give each participant a shuffled deck of cards.

   5 min
3. 3

   Sort by Suit

   Participants sort the deck by suit and number as quickly as possible.

   5 min
4. 4

   Work the Window

   Allow ten minutes for participants to finish the sort.

   5 min
5. 5

   Observe Speed

   Observe the sorting process and where time is lost or gained.

   5 min
6. 6

   Debrief Focus

   Discuss the challenges and how improved concentration shows up at work.

   5 min

These outcomes should be reinforced during the debrief.

Use these prompts to convert the activity into workplace learning.

1. What did your team do first during Sort the Cards?
2. Which assumption turned out to be wrong?
3. How did communication affect the result?
4. Where did the team lose time or clarity?
5. What workplace situation feels similar to this activity?
6. What would you change if you ran the activity again?

Prepare these items before the activity begins so the session runs smoothly.

1. 1

   Explain the Metaphor

   Explain the jar metaphor and why prioritizing the biggest tasks first matters.

   5 min
2. 2

   Show the Materials

   Display the empty jar along with rocks, pebbles, and sand on the table.

   5 min
3. 3

   Map to Tasks

   Describe how the jar represents a day and the materials represent tasks of varying importance.

   5 min
4. 4

   Fill the Jar

   Fill the jar with rocks first, then pebbles, then sand to show how big priorities make room for the rest.

   5 min
5. 5

   Hands-On Try

   Optionally let participants try filling their own jars to feel the principle in action.

   5 min
6. 6

   Reflect

   Discuss the metaphor and how the lesson applies to daily work and weekly planning.

   5 min

These outcomes should be reinforced during the debrief.

Use these prompts to convert the activity into workplace learning.

1. What did your team do first during Mayonnaise Jar?
2. Which assumption turned out to be wrong?
3. How did communication affect the result?
4. Where did the team lose time or clarity?
5. What workplace situation feels similar to this activity?
6. What would you change if you ran the activity again?

Prepare these items before the activity begins so the session runs smoothly.

1. 1

   Set Up the Log

   Explain that this activity helps participants understand time perception and how subjective time can feel.

   5 min
2. 2

   Track 15-Min Blocks

   Ask participants to close their eyes and raise a hand when they think one minute has passed.

   5 min
3. 3

   Tally the Day

   Quietly start a stopwatch without letting participants see or hear it.

   5 min
4. 4

   Compare to Estimate

   Watch and note the moments when participants raise their hands.

   5 min
5. 5

   Plan the Recovery

   Announce when the real minute ends and compare it against participant guesses.

   5 min
6. 6

   Discuss Insights

   Discuss variations in time perception and how they affect daily productivity.

   5 min

These outcomes should be reinforced during the debrief.

Use these prompts to convert the activity into workplace learning.

1. What did your team do first during Time Audit Challenge?
2. Which assumption turned out to be wrong?
3. How did communication affect the result?
4. Where did the team lose time or clarity?
5. What workplace situation feels similar to this activity?
6. What would you change if you ran the activity again?

Prepare these items before the activity begins so the session runs smoothly.

1. 1

   Set the Aim

   Explain that tracking time in fixed blocks reveals true time management patterns.

   5 min
2. 2

   Hand Out Grids

   Provide each participant with a time tracking sheet split into 15 minute blocks.

   5 min
3. 3

   Track the Day

   Participants log activities in 15 minute intervals across a full workday.

   5 min
4. 4

   Stay Honest

   Encourage honest entries throughout the day rather than retrofitting at the end.

   5 min
5. 5

   Collect Sheets

   Collect the completed time tracking sheets for analysis.

   5 min
6. 6

   Find Patterns

   Discuss patterns and identify the biggest opportunities for improvement.

   5 min

These outcomes should be reinforced during the debrief.

Use these prompts to convert the activity into workplace learning.

1. What did your team do first during Time Squared?
2. Which assumption turned out to be wrong?
3. How did communication affect the result?
4. Where did the team lose time or clarity?
5. What workplace situation feels similar to this activity?
6. What would you change if you ran the activity again?

Prepare these items before the activity begins so the session runs smoothly.

1. 1

   Frame the Goal

   Explain the goal of naming and neutralizing the biggest workplace distractions.

   5 min
2. 2

   List Distractions

   Participants list the common distractions that pull them off task.

   5 min
3. 3

   Solo Time

   Allow ten minutes for participants to build their personal lists.

   5 min
4. 4

   Crowdsource Fixes

   Discuss the most common distractions and the strategies that beat them.

   5 min
5. 5

   Swap Strategies

   Encourage participants to share strategies that already work for them.

   5 min
6. 6

   Lock In Habits

   Summarize the top strategies and challenge the team to apply them this week.

   5 min

These outcomes should be reinforced during the debrief.

Use these prompts to convert the activity into workplace learning.

1. What did your team do first during Dealing With Distractions?
2. Which assumption turned out to be wrong?
3. How did communication affect the result?
4. Where did the team lose time or clarity?
5. What workplace situation feels similar to this activity?
6. What would you change if you ran the activity again?

Prepare these items before the activity begins so the session runs smoothly.

1. 1

   Brief the Recipe

   Explain that this activity helps participants understand time perception and how subjective time can feel.

   5 min
2. 2

   Assign the Stations

   Ask participants to close their eyes and raise a hand when they think one minute has passed.

   5 min
3. 3

   Run the Round

   Quietly start a stopwatch without letting participants see or hear it.

   5 min
4. 4

   Spot the Bottleneck

   Watch and note the moments when participants raise their hands.

   5 min
5. 5

   Rerun the Round

   Announce when the real minute ends and compare it against participant guesses.

   5 min
6. 6

   Discuss Insights

   Discuss variations in time perception and how they affect daily productivity.

   5 min

These outcomes should be reinforced during the debrief.

Use these prompts to convert the activity into workplace learning.

1. What did your team do first during Overcooked Simulation?
2. Which assumption turned out to be wrong?
3. How did communication affect the result?
4. Where did the team lose time or clarity?
5. What workplace situation feels similar to this activity?
6. What would you change if you ran the activity again?

Prepare these items before the activity begins so the session runs smoothly.

1. 1

   Set the Scene

   Explain that this activity helps participants understand time perception and how subjective time can feel.

   5 min
2. 2

   Close Eyes

   Ask participants to close their eyes and raise a hand when they think one minute has passed.

   5 min
3. 3

   Start the Timer

   Quietly start a stopwatch without letting participants see or hear it.

   5 min
4. 4

   Observe Hands

   Watch and note the moments when participants raise their hands.

   5 min
5. 5

   Reveal the Minute

   Announce when the real minute ends and compare it against participant guesses.

   5 min
6. 6

   Discuss Insights

   Discuss variations in time perception and how they affect daily productivity.

   5 min

These outcomes should be reinforced during the debrief.

Use these prompts to convert the activity into workplace learning.

1. What did your team do first during How Long is a Minute?
2. Which assumption turned out to be wrong?
3. How did communication affect the result?
4. Where did the team lose time or clarity?
5. What workplace situation feels similar to this activity?
6. What would you change if you ran the activity again?

Prepare these items before the activity begins so the session runs smoothly.

1. 1

   Set the Rules

   Explain the objective, rules, and timing of the egg drop challenge.

   5 min
2. 2

   Hand Out Kits

   Provide each group with an egg and a varied set of building materials.

   5 min
3. 3

   Plan and Build

   Give teams 30 minutes to plan and build a structure that protects the egg on impact.

   5 min
4. 4

   Drop Test

   Drop each structure from the same height to test the designs head to head.

   5 min
5. 5

   Observe Strategies

   Observe planning, collaboration, and time management strategies across teams.

   5 min
6. 6

   Reflect Together

   Discuss what worked, what failed, and how time management shaped each design.

   5 min

These outcomes should be reinforced during the debrief.

Use these prompts to convert the activity into workplace learning.

1. What did your team do first during The Great Egg Drop?
2. Which assumption turned out to be wrong?
3. How did communication affect the result?
4. Where did the team lose time or clarity?
5. What workplace situation feels similar to this activity?
6. What would you change if you ran the activity again?

Prepare these items before the activity begins so the session runs smoothly.

1. 1

   Explain the Metaphor

   Explain that 86,400 represents the seconds in a single day.

   5 min
2. 2

   Hand Out Currency

   Provide participants with play money totaling $86,400.

   5 min
3. 3

   Allocate to Buckets

   Participants allocate the money across the activities they plan for a typical day.

   5 min
4. 4

   Quiet Allocation

   Give 15 minutes of focused allocation time.

   5 min
5. 5

   Compare Choices

   Observe the choices participants make and where they invest the most.

   5 min
6. 6

   Discuss Implications

   Discuss the allocations and what they imply about real-life priorities.

   5 min

These outcomes should be reinforced during the debrief.

Use these prompts to convert the activity into workplace learning.

1. What did your team do first during How Would You Spend $86,400??
2. Which assumption turned out to be wrong?
3. How did communication affect the result?
4. Where did the team lose time or clarity?
5. What workplace situation feels similar to this activity?
6. What would you change if you ran the activity again?

Prepare these items before the activity begins so the session runs smoothly.

1. 1

   Set the Mission

   Explain that the activity promotes teamwork and efficient process design.

   5 min
2. 2

   Supply the Lines

   Provide each group with paper, scissors, and tape to run their factory.

   5 min
3. 3

   Run the Sprint

   Teams build as many paper boats as possible in 15 minutes.

   5 min
4. 4

   Time the Build

   Let teams self-organize across the full 15 minute sprint.

   5 min
5. 5

   Observe Tactics

   Observe the strategies, role splits, and bottlenecks used by each team.

   5 min
6. 6

   Count and Debrief

   Count boats and debrief on the strategies that produced the best output.

   5 min

These outcomes should be reinforced during the debrief.

Use these prompts to convert the activity into workplace learning.

1. What did your team do first during Paper Boat Factory?
2. Which assumption turned out to be wrong?
3. How did communication affect the result?
4. Where did the team lose time or clarity?
5. What workplace situation feels similar to this activity?
6. What would you change if you ran the activity again?

Prepare these items before the activity begins so the session runs smoothly.

1. 1

   Frame the Audit

   Explain that the activity reveals how time was actually spent the previous day.

   5 min
2. 2

   Hand Out Sheets

   Give every participant a sheet of paper and a pen.

   5 min
3. 3

   List Tasks

   Participants list everything they did yesterday and label each item productive or unproductive.

   5 min
4. 4

   Quiet Work Time

   Allow ten minutes for participants to complete their lists.

   5 min
5. 5

   Share Insights

   Discuss findings and let participants share patterns they noticed.

   5 min
6. 6

   Summarize Leaks

   Summarize common time wasters and strategies to minimize them tomorrow.

   5 min

These outcomes should be reinforced during the debrief.

Use these prompts to convert the activity into workplace learning.

1. What did your team do first during What Did You Do Yesterday?
2. Which assumption turned out to be wrong?
3. How did communication affect the result?
4. Where did the team lose time or clarity?
5. What workplace situation feels similar to this activity?
6. What would you change if you ran the activity again?

Prepare these items before the activity begins so the session runs smoothly.

1. 1

   Explain the Stakes

   Explain why prioritization beats raw effort when the clock is running.

   5 min
2. 2

   Distribute Sets

   Give each group a set of blocks and matching task cards.

   5 min
3. 3

   Prioritize Tasks

   Teams prioritize and complete tasks by sequencing the blocks correctly.

   5 min
4. 4

   Work the Clock

   Allow 15 minutes for teams to plan, sort, and finish their stacks.

   5 min
5. 5

   Observe Choices

   Observe how each team decides what to do first, next, and last.

   5 min
6. 6

   Debrief Order

   Discuss how prioritization changed throughput and outcomes.

   5 min

These outcomes should be reinforced during the debrief.

Use these prompts to convert the activity into workplace learning.

1. What did your team do first during Picking Up Blocks?
2. Which assumption turned out to be wrong?
3. How did communication affect the result?
4. Where did the team lose time or clarity?
5. What workplace situation feels similar to this activity?
6. What would you change if you ran the activity again?

Prepare these items before the activity begins so the session runs smoothly.

1. 1

   Teach the Concept

   Explain circadian rhythms and how they shape productivity across the day.

   5 min
2. 2

   Hand Out Planners

   Give each participant a task planning sheet covering a full day.

   5 min
3. 3

   Map Energy Peaks

   Participants plan tasks around their personal peak productivity windows.

   5 min
4. 4

   Build the Plan

   Allow 20 minutes to draft a complete energy aligned schedule.

   5 min
5. 5

   Review Plans

   Review the schedules participants designed and call out smart choices.

   5 min
6. 6

   Discuss Shifts

   Discuss how aligning tasks with energy cycles boosts daily output.

   5 min

These outcomes should be reinforced during the debrief.

Use these prompts to convert the activity into workplace learning.

1. What did your team do first during Circadian Rhythm?
2. Which assumption turned out to be wrong?
3. How did communication affect the result?
4. Where did the team lose time or clarity?
5. What workplace situation feels similar to this activity?
6. What would you change if you ran the activity again?

Prepare these items before the activity begins so the session runs smoothly.

1. 1

   Set Expectations

   Explain the benefits of solving problems and building teamwork through puzzles.

   5 min
2. 2

   Distribute Puzzles

   Give each group one jigsaw puzzle and a clear workspace.

   5 min
3. 3

   Race the Clock

   Teams complete the puzzle inside the assigned time frame.

   5 min
4. 4

   Work the Window

   Allow the full 30 minutes for teams to work the puzzle together.

   5 min
5. 5

   Observe Roles

   Observe how teams divide work, share insights, and stay coordinated.

   5 min
6. 6

   Discuss Tactics

   Discuss the strategies used and the role of teamwork in completion.

   5 min

These outcomes should be reinforced during the debrief.

Use these prompts to convert the activity into workplace learning.

1. What did your team do first during Jigsaw Puzzles?
2. Which assumption turned out to be wrong?
3. How did communication affect the result?
4. Where did the team lose time or clarity?
5. What workplace situation feels similar to this activity?
6. What would you change if you ran the activity again?