Time Management
Module Two
Lesson Six: Time Management
There is never enough time in the day to complete all that needs to be accomplished. With school, work, friends, extracurricular activities and homework, time seems to constantly slip away. Time management skills are the key to achieving success. Those who know how to manage their time exceptionally well will move on to bigger and better things in life. Once you have mastered the art of using time management skills, you will be able to minimize stress levels, maintain good health, and above all, get the important things done that need to be done.
The biggest issue that we all have when it comes to time management is procrastination. If you find yourself putting off important things time and time again, you’re not alone. We all procrastinate to some degree – but some are so chronically affected by procrastination that it stops them from getting things done and ulitmately disrupts their careers and personal life.
The key to controlling and ultimately combating this destructive habit is to recognize the fact you procrastinate. You must also understand why it happens (even to the best of us), and then take active steps to better manage your time and resources.
Why Do We Procrastinate?
In a nutshell, you procrastinate whenever you put off things that you should be focusing on right now, usually in favor of doing something that is more enjoyable or that you’re more comfortable doing.
Procrastinators work as many hours in the day as other people (and often work longer hours) but they invest their time in the wrong tasks. Sometimes this is simply because they don’t understand the difference between urgent tasks and important tasks, and jump straight into getting on with urgent tasks that aren’t actually important, or they find enjoyable rather than meaningful.
They may feel that they’re doing the right thing by reacting fast. Or they may not even think about their approach and simply be driven by the person whose demands are loudest. Either way, by doing this, they have little or no time left for the important tasks, despite the unpleasant outcomes this may bring about.
Another common cause of procrastination is feeling overwhelmed by the task. You may not know where to begin. Or you may doubt that you have the skills or resources you think you need; so you seek comfort in doing tasks you know you’re capable of completing. Unfortunately, the big task isn’t going to go away – truly important tasks rarely do.
Minimizing Procrastination.
Here are some activities that we can all practice to minimize procrastination:
A. Create an Activity Log: Knowing how you spend your time can aid in effective time management. Activity logs help you to analyze how you actually spend your time. The first time you use an activity log you may be shocked to see the amount of time that you waste! Memory is a very poor guide when it comes to this, as it can be too easy to forget time spent on non-critical tasks.
B. Prioritize Your To Do List: Take positive control of your time. Do first things first. Set up a system that works for you. When you make your To Do List, and prioritize your tasks, label them in a way that reminds you of the order that they need to be completed in. For example, some people use the ABC method. A’s are for the most important things and C’s are for the least important. You can also use the number system, with number one being your most important and so on. No matter what system you use, it can make a positive impact on managing your time.
C. Schedule Effectively: When used properly, scheduling is a great management tool. A desk calendar, personal planner or PDA are all great tools that you can use to schedule your time. Just like anything else, if you don’t manage them properly, they are of no use to you. Also, don’t forget to schedule some personal time for yourself within your schedule. Remember, you have to have the opportunity to decompress as well.
D. Set Personal Goals: This means planning to live your life your way. Look at where you are now, and where you would like to be in the next 5 to 10 years. Whether your goals are personal or professional, develop a plan and a way that you can measure your progress. Most people use a chart, so when a goal is completed, they check it off, this also serves as a way to visually assess your progress. Will your goals change? Sure they will! Just make sure you update your plan and concentrate on those things that will help you achieve each and every goal you developed for yourself.
Conclusion: Hopefully we provided you with information useful enough to help you effectively manage your time. It’s very easy to get off track and forget about the important things that need to be done. If you actively employ some of the techniques mentioned in this presentation, it should get you well on your way to managing your life just a little bit better. The information contained in this article was extracted from www.mindtools.com. Tell us how we did by leaving us a message.