Time management is making the best use you can of that most precious recource, time. It is knowing as a system of helping you meet your goals. Knowing practical tips for using your time effectively. Knowing how to succeed when facing stumbling blocks or procrastination. Knowing yourself- your habits, goals and times during the when you are most alert and productive. Google says, Time Management really means managing yourself. It is a way to be happier. More effective, creative and more successful.
Why Time management is so important?
Because time management is a tool you need to succeed – in school and beyond: it enables you to:
Achieve more, so you can get the most out of your academic career.
Have more free time, so you can participate in activities that are important to you.
Lead a balanced life, so you can better enjoy both work and play.
Meet deadlines, so you can be firmly in control of your life and work.
Read more: 13 things to remember while setting Goals
The Time Factor
“If there is something that most of us don’t seem to have enough, it’s time. Everyone is moving at full speed and there’s still not enough hours in the day to get everything done that we want to do. And even if we get a couple of hours more everyday, we’d probably not have enough time. This is especially true for those of us who are students or who do more than one part time job.
Read more: 8 Important things for a sucessful new year 2024
To manage your time better and get your jobs finished faster, here are few steps that could follow.
Make lists:
List making is a good way to not only keep track of things you want to buy, but also of upcoming tasks that need to be done, deadlines, etc. A list also has the advantage of allowing you to see all of your obligations on the page, which reduces the stress of being over – obligated. Somehow, when you can reduce the things that need to be done to a short piece of pager, it does’nt seem to be quite intimidating.
Learn to prioritise:
Once you’ve made your list, number the items in your order of priority. Very often, we’re too busy because we create obligations for ourselves. So take a long hard look at your list and thing: Do you really need to go to your friend’s house or should spend your time cleaning our your cupboard?
Don’t set unrealistic goals: Going on a five kilomters walk as part of your weight losing session?
Wouldn’t it be stretching it a bit? why not being with two kilometres? Even when it comes to reading your lessons, try no to cram in a lot of stuff at one time. When we set unreasonable goals, we tend to get frustated when we can’t complete them. Setting smaller goals allows you to actually accomplish them, which gives you a greater feeling of satisfaction.
Break tasks into small chunks:
It’s like eating five small meals a day, instead of having three huge meals. If you learn to breakup the tasks that you have to do, then you’ll end up doing more efficiently and better.
Reward yourself:
This is one you are definitely going to like. When you are finished with half your list, take a break, read a book just for fun, have a snack, go for a walk. Give yourself a ten minute break and stretch or play with the dog or the kids. The promise of a reward for finishing a task can be motivating.
Ged rid of distractions:
Some days, it seems like the whole world is out to distract you from what you have to get it done. It happens with everyone, so try to minimize distractions. If you have given your self an hour to finish doing your homework, then don’t let anything bother you in between. Say, you get a call from your friend. Let your dad or mom attend and ask your friends when they want to do something. It’s not a crime to put your own needs first, at least some of the time.
Have some fun:
There’s a lot of truth in that old saying about all work and no play. Schedule some relaxation time. Give yourself a day off or half a day. Spend some time doing things you enjoy but don’t have to do. Remember the idea of rewarding yourself? You can make a deal with yourself: If you work really hard on Monday, you can take Tuesday Off and run over to your friend’s place. This is important. If we spend all our time doing work related tasks, we get even more stressed out. Plus, we become rather self absorbed and boring. Relaxation reduces stress and makes you a likeable person”.
The management of Time is the Management of Life
“Punctuality is a problem for many people. When you are late for classes, appointments, meetings or work, you show a lack of respect for other people’s time as well as your own. You are also correct in assuming it is a sign of disorganization.
Here are the six steps you can take to correct your lateness problem:
- Make up your mind that you will be punctual from now on. In many cases lateness is caused by lack of commitment to arrive on time. Have the right mind set.
- Record the commitment in your planner and also record the time you must leave the house or college in order to arrive on time.
- In carrying our step two, plan to arrive 5 to 10 minutes early.
- If you have a fair distance to travel, always allow more time than you think it will take. This is the same as scheduling more time for a task than you think it will take.
- Don’t be trapped by the ‘one last thing’ syndrome. If you’re ready to leave and it’s still early, leave any way. Utilise the time at the other end rather than trying to finish one more task before you leave.
- If you are not a morning person, but have early morning commitments: set the alarm a little earlier. Some of us may need to go bed a little earlier to make this work. When it comes right down to it, punctuality is a habit that can be developed. It takes great effort at first, but eventually simply happens.
When you are late you are wasting the time of another person, in fact, you are literally stealing part of his life! To be punctual means not simply to be on time. But to be early: People of good character are prompt. Tardiness is an evidence of poor character. Lateness is not a sign of business, but poor planning. Those who plan with care usually have time to spare. Being on time means you are actually present at the appointed moment, not that you are on your way or parking your car or entering the building.
So the core meaning of this is,
“The Management of Time is the Management of your Life. When you waste time you are wasting life”.