How To Manage Time Effectively
Time management is the way we manage the amount of time allotted for specific tasks of goals. It is the steps we take on a daily basis in order to manage the time we have to complete the tasks or goals set before us in an efficient and timely manner. Managing out our time is something that most of us have difficulty with often times. People can get overwhelmed with life in general especially if they do not manage it accordingly.
We are all given twenty-four hours in a day in which to live-no more, no less. So, why is it that some people are able to accomplish more in a day than others can possibly do in a week? Other than possibly the difference of levels of energy, it must that one person is able to manage their time more effectively than the other person.
This does not mean that one person works harder, but rather, the person who accomplishes more in less time has figured out how to work smarter.
This will assist in managing time effectively.
Better time management skills can improve your grades, get you a better position at work and even take away some of the stressors in your personal life. By creating a day to day plan people will have less to be stressed about and will ultimately feel a sense of accomplishment. The main thing to do in order to overcome poor time management behavior is to first become aware of how to use your time wisely. Poor time management can cause people to be tardy for work or school which in turn can cause them to lose their job or fall behind in their classes. This can cause a very detrimental effect on their lives. This shows that managing your time is extremely important and needs to be done adequately. In order to achieve this go through a day as you would normally and write down what you do, what time you start doing it, and then what time you are done with each task.
By doing this you can effectively determine where your time is going and why your time management skills are less than adequate. Postpone anything that can be put off in order to get more important things done. For example, you can delay going out to a movie with your friends but instead finish a report for work. Then once the report is completed you can go out with your friends another time. The stress of work not getting done will no longer attach itself to you in a negative way. If you are highly distracted in certain places then you should refrain or stop going to those places and find new less distracting places to hang out. This will in effect increase your productivity and balance due to the negation of distractions and also validate the fact that you are doing the right thing in managing your time properly.
As stated by David Allen (2009), “Things rarely get stuck because of lack of time. They get stuck because the doing of them has not been defined. Most of the stress people experience comes from inappropriately managed commitments they make or accept.” Therefore, you must manage your time properly in order to obtain the necessary skills that will assist in reaching your goals. In order to be successful with time management, you have to set some goals. It may help to divide your goals into time frames; i.e. long term, short term, and day to day goals that will in the end assist you in achieving your goals. You need to think of what goals you would like to accomplish (long term- own business in five years, short term-complete all Business Management courses, and day to day-stay focused on completing daily tasks).
In order to reach the fundamental long term goal, the first step is to get a planner or a journal to write down what course of action need to be taken. The next step helps you to decide on the importance of each task that needs to be done. We must evaluate the necessity of each task and list them accordingly. For instance, going to work should be well above going to the mall on your list. You must also take into consideration how much time each task will take. If you are assigned a task at work, which you believe will take an hour to compete then you must set aside some time during the week so that you can complete it properly. In the same instance, if you work for eight hours and you only have two hours before you have to cook dinner for your family, then you do not want to schedule a two and a half hour movie date.
Very often people overlook these simple things that add a strain or stress in their lives by committing to things that do not fall within the realm of what needs to be done. Peter Drucker (2009) said, “If you want to improve how you manage time – stop doing what doesn’t need to be done!”In summary, schedule your time effectively by first prioritizing what needs to be done first. Ask yourself what sacrifices need to be made in order to stay on task. Stay focused and do not stray too far from your schedule.
If you have some extra time, use it wisely, i.e. read a chapter for class or read through some emails you haven’t gotten to. This will help eliminate stress in staying on top of things. Is what you’re currently doing or plan to do going to move you closer to your goal? Define or set your goals and write them down so that you have something to reference and keep you on task. When you define your goals, ask yourself two questions; where am I now and where am I going? When you know where you are going you are better equipped to handle the tasks at hand.
References
Allen, D. (2009). Why is Managing Time so Stressful? Retrieved June 21, 2009, fromhttp://www.the-happy-manager.com/quotes-on-time-management.htmlDrucker, P. (2009). Don’t Forget…Retrieved June 20, 2009, fromhttp://www.the-happy-manager.com/quotes-on-time-management.html
