In our busy world it can feel like time is running away from you and there simply aren’t enough hours in the day. Yet time is a precious resource, and one we can’t get back. In the wise words of Master Oogway, “Yesterday’s the past, tomorrow’s the future, but today is a gift. That’s why it’s called the present”.
And there is no time like the present to brush up on your time management skills. An online course can help you create space in your life for what’s important and ensure you take control of your time again.
With so many to choose from, I've spent the last two weeks searching for the best courses and provided this best time management course review so you can save some time and dive right in!
So, without further ado, here are my top picks.
What is the best online time management course?
- Productivity & Time Management Strategies for Goal Setting & Eliminating Distractions (Skillshare)
- Time Management Mastery: Productivity & Goals (Udemy)
- Time Management Mastery: Do More, Stress Less (Udemy)
- Efficient Time Management (LinkedIn Learning)
- Time Management Fundamentals (LinkedIn Learning)
- Productivity and Time Management for the Overwhelmed (Udemy)
- Work Smarter, Not Harder: Time Management for Personal & Professional Productivity (Coursera)
- ACCREDITED ADHD Mums How to Manage Time & Be More Productive (Udemy)
- Time Management for Beginners (EdX)
- Work from Home – Work Life Balance and Time Management (Udemy)
Productivity & Time Management Strategies is my top pick as it’s a fantastic walk through from beginner to advanced with a focus on goal setting. It’s packed full of practical advice about batching time, minimizing multitasking and building helpful routines. You’ll also learn why it’s okay to say no, when to say no, and how to budget for varying energy levels.
If you don’t want to commit to a Skillshare subscription, you can purchase any of the courses on Udemy on a one off basis. Time Management Mastery: Productivity and Goals has a motivational instructor, actionable advice and content that builds incrementally. So it ticks all the boxes of a top online course and will help you prioritize tasks before finding ways to schedule them and carry them out more efficiently.
Best free online time management courses
- Productivity & Time Management Strategies for Goal Setting & Eliminating Distractions (Skillshare)
- Work Smarter, Not Harder: Time Management for Personal & Professional Productivity (Coursera)
- Time Management for Beginners (EdX)
The EdX and Coursera courses can be taken free without a certificate of completion (you pay a small additional fee if you do want the certificate). Skillshare’s Productivity and Time Management course can be completed within the free one month trial period.
Best online time management course reviews
1. Productivity & Time Management Strategies for Goal Setting & Eliminating Distractions (Skillshare)
Platform: Skillshare | Teacher: Patrick Dang | Course length: 22 video lessons totaling 2 hours 24 minutes
Patrick doesn’t waste any time in this concise course, which covers time management strategies and how to adjust your schedule according to your different energy levels. In 22 high quality video lectures, you’ll learn to plan short- and long-term goals whilst minimizing distractions to keep you on track.
You’ll learn:
- What batching is and how to implement it daily
- How to manage your different energy levels and still get stuff done
- To build a routine that helps you stay on track
- Why saying yes can be detrimental to even the best time management
- To identify your why before planning short- and long-term goals
Pros
- Positive and engaging instructor
- Beginner friendly but with something for everyone
- Down to earth examples throughout drawing from Patrick’s own life
- Clear and concise so is well suited to non-native English speakers
- High quality video lectures with subtitles available
- Practical and actionable advice
Cons
- A few videos dedicated to goal setting, which may not be relevant for everyone
- Discussion forum isn’t active
Who’s it for: Covering management of commitments, energy levels and goal setting this course has something for everyone
Overall: A positive and engaging program that will have you scheduling like a pro by the end of the course. Patrick’s relatable teaching style makes it clear he’s been in the same boat so rest assured if your time keeps running away from you, you’ll learn to overcome natural tendencies without judgment.
2. Time Management Mastery: Productivity & Goals (Udemy)
Platform: Udemy | Teacher: Chris Croft | Course length: 47 video lessons totaling 4 hours 1 minute
Chris published his first book on time management in 1996 and has since taught over 500,000 students with an instructor rating of 4.6. In this thorough course you’ll learn to prioritize tasks effectively, reduce procrastination and build a productivity system that helps you to achieve goals efficiently.
You’ll learn:
- The key objectives of time management
- Productivity systems to become more efficient
- What to put on your master list before your to-do list
- The difference between urgent and important tasks
- Common time wasters
- Strategies to reduce procrastination
Pros
- Covers ways in which saving time also saves money
- Motivational and humorous instructor
- Actionable advice for professional and personal time management
- Walk through from beginner to more advanced strategies
- Unique content on goal setting which branches out from SMART goals
Cons
- Would benefit from more demonstrations
Who’s it for: If you are looking to improve personal time management to achieve specific goals then this is the course for you
Overall: With a motivational instructor, actionable advice and content that builds incrementally, this class ticks all the boxes of a top online course. The lectures on a master list and to-do list are helpful for identifying key tasks before finding ways to schedule them and carry them out more efficiently.
3. Time Management Mastery: Do More, Stress Less (Udemy)
Platform: Udemy | Teacher: Alexis Haselberger | Course length: 45 video lessons totaling 2 hours 5 minutes
In this course, broken down into bite-sized lectures under 6 minutes, you’ll learn to plan and manage your workload efficiently using a variety of techniques. You’re in good hands with Alexis, who has taught over 110,000 students and has an instructor rating of 4.5.
You’ll learn:
- How to prioritize your to-do list
- To understand your natural tendencies and use them as a productivity advantage
- How to minimize distractions
- The value of time-blocking and how to integrate it into your life
- How to plan effectively in daily, weekly, monthly, and annual increments
- The Pomodoro technique
Pros
- 11 exercises to practice skills covered
- Concise explanations
- Subtitles available in 22 languages including English, French and Italian
- End of section quizzes
- Included in Udemy personal plan
Cons
- Would benefit from more text on screen
- Some computer literacy required e.g., spreadsheets
Who’s it for: Whether you already have a time management system in place or are just starting out, Alexis’s course has pointers for all levels
Overall: A short yet informative program that focuses on time management strategies, minimizing distractions and using your strengths to simplify time management in your life. The practice exercises set this course apart from some of the others and pushes you to practice the techniques covered in the lectures.
4. Efficient Time Management (LinkedIn Learning)
Platform: LinkedIn Learning | Teacher: Chris Croft | Course length: 26 video lessons totaling 1 hours 31 minutes
A concise course that covers essential time management techniques such as to-do lists, prioritization and building a productive space. You’ll also learn how to harness the power of technology to assist you along the way.
You’ll learn:
- How to maximize moments of spare time
- Brain dumping for time management
- The best way to create a productive environment
- How to use Word and Excel for time management
- To make the most out of your calendar
- How to make an effective daily to-do list and master list
Pros
- Advice can be applied personally and professionally
- High quality video lectures with subtitles, captions, and transcript available
- Humorous and engaging instructor who uses relatable examples
- Concise videos under 5 minutes
- Notebook feature in LinkedIn Learning allows you to take notes as you go
- Certificate of completion endorsed by the Project Management Institute (PMI)
Cons
- Section on using technology for time management may be too basic for those with an existing system
Who’s it for: Applicable personally and professionally with a range of techniques covered, this course has something for everyone
Overall: Dave is humorous and relatable, making this an enjoyable watch without sacrificing quality content. With videos under 5 minutes, you’ll come away from each one with actionable advice or a time management technique and, as a bonus, the certificate of completion is endorsed by the PMI and can be conveniently added to your LinkedIn profile.
5. Time Management Fundamentals (LinkedIn Learning)
Platform: LinkedIn Learning | Teacher: Dave Crenshaw | Course length: 52 video lessons totaling 1 hour 47 minutes
Dave Crenshaw is an author and leadership coach, publishing The Myth of Multitasking which went on to become a time management bestseller. Covering the three principles of productivity: space, mind and time, you’ll learn to make the most of your calendar and make space for the most valuable activities every day.
You’ll learn:
- How to choose the right calendar for you and make the most of it
- Why switch tasking is hindering not helping you
- How to identify your most valuable activities and budget time for them
- The what, when, where processing system
- When to say no to other commitments
- The relationship between focus and chaos
Pros
- Bite-sized lectures under 4 minutes
- Relatable and engaging instructor
- High quality video lectures with infographics and subtitles
- Practical examples and exercises to reinforce learning
- Beginner friendly
- Actionable advice about adjusting habits to make time management easier from the get-go
Cons
- A bit basic for those with an existing calendar and email system
- Repetitive at times but reinforces the skills covered
Who’s it for: Beginners and intermediates, but is especially suited to working professionals
Overall: While discussing calendars may sound a bit basic, this course challenges you to assess each step of your time management system and, with videos of under 4 minutes, Dave does not waste a second in delivering advice that can be implemented immediately. The what, when, where processing system is unique to this course but will ensure you stay on top of your most valuable tasks and activities.
6. Productivity and Time Management for the Overwhelmed (Udemy)
Platform: Udemy | Teacher: Josh Paulson | Course length: 32 video lessons totaling 1 hour 55 minutes
Josh Paulsen is a productivity and goals coach, passionate about organization and harnessing potential. Having taught over 180,000 students with an instructor rating of 4.5 rest assured you’re in good hands and will learn how to plan ahead effectively without needing to multitask.
You’ll learn:
- Effective planning for productivity
- Why multitasking doesn’t save time
- What Parkinson’s law is and how to use it to your advantage
- To make an effective to-do list
- Warren Buffer’s productivity secret and the Jerry Seinfeld strategy
Pros
- Actionable advice with pointers on productivity as well as time management
- Concise videos under 7 minutes
- PDF resource summarizing key concepts and exercises to apply skills covered in the course
- Some tactics are relevant to neurodivergent needs
- Helps to understand your natural tendencies
- Included in Udemy personal plan
Cons
- Slides would benefit from more written information for those who like to take notes
- Some sections are repetitive, but this can be a helpful reminder of why the strategies covered are worth implementing
Who’s it for: This concise course is ideal for students who are feeling overwhelmed with a never-ending workload
Overall: Josh’s program is an enjoyable watch with unique coverage of Warren Buffet and Jerry Seinfeld’s productivity and time management strategies. The PDF summaries can be used after the course has finished and will even save you some time making your own notes.
7. Work Smarter, Not Harder: Time Management for Personal & Professional Productivity (Coursera)
Platform: Coursera | Teacher: Margaret Meloni | Course length: 8 video lessons totaling 20 minutes
Part of the Career Success specialization, this segment covers time management in a way that can be applied at work and at home. The lectures on delegation and managing expectations are particularly useful and are covered well in this course.
You’ll learn:
- To plan for personal and professional goals effectively
- How to realistically estimate the time a task takes
- To identify your personal barriers to time management
- The importance of prioritizing your to-do list
- To manage others expectations and when to say no
- How to delegate effectively
- The significance of focus to time management and common distractions
Pros
- 4 practice exercises to reinforce learning
- Variety in delivery of teaching – each week has videos, readings and further links to YouTube videos and talks
- Thought provoking discussions about work/life balance
- Clear and concise explanations
- Can be completed within a week
Cons
- Quizzes could be more challenging
Who’s it for: Those who like to plan but can’t quite make it work. It’s ideal for working professionals but many of strategies are of benefit at home as well
Overall: With lectures on estimating the length of tasks and identifying time management pitfalls, you’ll come away with self-understanding and more focussed tools to overcome personal barriers to effective time management. The variety of content delivery sets this program apart and makes for an enjoyable experience, especially for those wanting to explore wider resources.
8. ACCREDITED ADHD Mums How to Manage Time & Be More Productive (Udemy)
Platform: Udemy | Teacher: Faigy Liebermann | Course length: 38 video lessons totaling 2 hours 5 minutes
Faigy and her five children all have ADHD, so she knows a thing or two about coping with a hectic schedule whilst also being neurodivergent. With a section dedicated to the brain’s role in managing behavior, you’ll come away with a deeper understanding of your natural tendencies and learn how to apply ADHD specific time management tools for simple home management.
You’ll learn:
- How to break down tasks to be more manageable
- The 11 executive functions
- How to use a timer to keep you on track
- To become aware of how long daily tasks take
- How shopping lists and menu planning can help save time
Pros
- Personal teaching style
- Accredited by the International Association of Therapists (IAOTH) for ADHD mums and coaches
- Short videos under 10 minutes
- Specific to ADHD needs
- Suitable for non-mums struggling with meal planning and home chores
- Explains why certain tasks are more difficult for those with ADHD
Cons
- Significant focus on home management
Who’s it for: Although aimed towards moms, this course would benefit anyone with ADHD wanting to manage time better and understand why they may struggle with it. It would also be of interest to their loved ones.
Overall: A practical course with actionable advice on how to manage household chores, meal planning and overcoming ADHD tendencies. With short lectures, attention can be maintained, while Faigy’s teaching style is relatable, and her experience shines through.
9. Time Management for Beginners (EdX)
Platform: EdX | Teacher: Shobha Bhobe | Course length: 2 video lessons totaling 6 minutes
With largely reading based content, this course is slightly different from the rest but will introduce you to time management fundamentals such as beating procrastination and managing interruptions. It’s short, sweet, and certainly doesn’t waste any time.
You’ll learn:
- To pace yourself throughout the day to get more done
- Why perfectionism is a barrier to managing time
- How to beat procrastination
- To manage interruptions and waste less time
- How to make a time log
Pros
- Active discussion forum
- Short course which can be completed within a day
- 4 assessments and a final graded test
- Free access to course content, reading and discussion forum for 1 month without a certificate of completion
- EdX allows you to set a reminder to study and has a progress tracker to keep you motivated
Cons
- Course is largely based on written information that may not suit everyone
Who’s it for: Those struggling with time management but who also enjoy reading. The lecture on perfectionism is unique to this course and would be of benefit to anyone who feels pressure to strive for perfection
Overall: A short and informative class that will introduce you to the basics of time management. The time log technique is useful and not covered well in other courses and the discussion forum offers an opportunity to meet others in the same boat as you while keeping you motivated along the way.
10. Work from Home – Work Life Balance and Time Management (Udemy)
Platform: Udemy | Teacher: Joeel & Natalie Rivera | Course length: 50 video lessons totaling 5 hours 23 minutes
Joeel and Natalie are entrepreneurs so have plenty of experience working from home. In this jam-packed course you’ll learn how to manage your to-do list effectively, scheduling time for breaks and establishing boundaries to avoid burnout.
You’ll learn:
- When to schedule non-work hours and breaks
- How to create an effective to-do list and prioritize it efficiently
- To identify areas of your life that lack balance
- What the 80/20 rule is and how it can benefit you
- How to set boundaries which free up time and reduce commitments
- Different tech productivity tools to streamline your digital life
Pros
- Pushes you to self-reflect on habits that prevent effective time management
- Thought-provoking exercises to apply skills covered
- Logically grouped into 7 sections – with each section building on the previous one
- Covers stress management, productivity, and efficiency as well as time management tools
- Included in Udemy personal plan
Cons
- More suited to entrepreneurs than office workers working from home
- Studies mentioned could be cited
Who’s it for: Covering strategies to make sure work doesn’t take over your home life even if your office is based there, this program is ideal for entrepreneurs
Overall: While anyone working from home would benefit from the valuable lessons on creating effective to-lists and prioritizing tasks effectively, it is more suited to entrepreneurs and business owners. The lectures on scheduling breaks are well put together and are a great reminder you still deserve a lunch break even if you aren’t in the office. With a 30-day money back guarantee, what do you have to lose?
What are the advantages of taking an online time management course?
Desirable professional skills – being proficient in time management is desirable in any job role as it displays organization and ensures you hit your deadlines. However, for project managers, executive assistants, event planners, and freelancers it is an essential skill that can always be improved
Simplify your life – After practicing the skills covered in online time management courses, you’ll form new habits, build routines that enable you to hit two birds with one stone, and begin to cut out commitments that are unnecessary or holding you back
Feel in control – while it can seem impossible to have everything scheduled to perfection all the time, knowing when things need to be done by and when they will be done only sets you up for success. With effective time management, you’ll feel like you can see all aspects of your life neatly organized so you can start tackling what needs to be done
Buyer’s guide: what to look out for?
The topics covered – time management can be approached in a number of ways and there are some traditional and more experimental strategies that can be used. It’s worth checking the syllabus before you dive in so you’re certain that the skills you need are covered, and this is especially important if you are considering taking multiple courses
The wider resources available – time management is a continuous journey and wider resources ensure you have something to refer to after the course and retain what’s been covered. Some courses also offer forums, which is a nice way to meet people in the same boat and motivate each other along the way
The materials required – some courses utilize technology to build a time management system so it’s work checking the course requirements as access to Excel or a digital calendar may be required
How much does it cost?
Both the EdX and Coursera Time Management courses can be taken for free without a certificate of completion (you can upgrade and receive a certificate for a fee of around $40). Other courses on this list are available with a subscription and can be completed within the free trial period depending on how much time you can dedicate each week.
Udemy offers a personal plan for $30/month, which would give you access to 4 of the courses on this list for less than the price of buying 1. They offer a 1-month free trial and there are over 8,000 other courses included as well. Paid time management courses on Udemy range from $44.99 – $59.99.
Skillshare offers a subscription starting from $32/month. It includes one of the top picks on this list, with nearly 30,000 additional courses (including time management classes), and can be trialed free for one month.
LinkedIn Learning subscriptions start from $24.99 and would give you access to two of my mid range picks. You’ll receive a certificate of completion that can be conveniently added to your LinkedIn profile and access to over 5,000 courses. They also offer a 1-month free trial.
How long does it take to learn time management?
Time management courses are generally between 1 and 3 hours depending on the topics covered. The longest course on this list is 5 hours 23 minutes. However, time management is a continuous journey and you will identify new strengths and weaknesses along the way so I recommend considering multiple focused courses or selecting key topics within all-rounder courses.
It is important to mention that the advantage of taking an online course is you can work at your own pace. If you are interested in a specific skill this can be achieved in less time by choosing a focused course or skimming through more comprehensive courses, which will drastically reduce the time needed to complete the class.
Conclusion
Whether you are just starting out on your time management journey or are a seasoned scheduler, there is always room for improvement. And the courses recommended above will give you a range of topics to choose from.
Skillshare’s Productivity & Time Management Strategies is a comprehensive overview from beginner to advanced which is full of actionable tips and tricks and will teach you the valuable skill of knowing why and when it’s OK to say, ‘no’.
If you don’t want to commit to a Skillshare subscription, you can purchase any of the courses on Udemy on a one off basis. Time Management Mastery: Productivity and Goals has a motivational instructor, actionable advice and content that builds incrementally. So it ticks all the boxes of a top online course and will help you prioritize tasks before finding ways to schedule them and carry them out more efficiently.
Whatever your goals, budget or time schedule, there’s a course on this list that will meet your needs. Some can be taken for free, or completed within a free trial period. With that in mind, you have little to lose by giving them a go.
See also: 105 Time Management Statistics
Time Management Courses – Frequently asked questions
Productivity and Time Management is my top pick as an excellent all-rounder course covering desirable personal and professional skills. It’s suited to all levels and covers essentials such as calendars, to-do lists and effective prioritization very well.
Some courses can be accessed for free without a certificate of completion but others are accessed using a subscription ranging from $24.99-$32 or completed within a free trial time frame. Paid courses range from $44.99 to $59.99.
Time management courses are between 1 and 3 hours depending on the topics covered. The longest course on this list is 5 hours 23 minutes
Holly is a student reading geography at King’s College London. In her free time she enjoys cooking, travelling and photography. She loves to learn new things particularly in the mental health and medicine field.