Time Management

Time management is the process of planning and exercising conscious control of time spent on specific activities, especially to increase effectiveness, efficiency, and productivity. It involves a juggling act of various demands upon a person relating to work, social life, family, hobbies, personal interests, and commitments with the finiteness of time. Using time effectively gives the person "choice" on spending or managing activities at their own time and expediency.

Failing to manage time effectively can have some very undesirable consequences:

● Missed deadlines.

● Inefficient workflow.

● Poor work quality.

● A poor professional reputation and a stalled career.

● Higher stress levels.




It may seem counterintuitive to dedicate precious time to learning about time management, instead of using it to get on with your work, but the benefits are enormous:

● Greater productivity and efficiency.

● A better professional reputation.

● Less stress.

● Increased opportunities for advancement.

● Greater opportunities to achieve important life and career goals.




After considering the benefits of time management, let’s look at some ways to manage time effectively:

1.One should set goals correctly

One should set goals that are achievable and measurable. Use the SMART method when setting goals. In essence, make sure the goals you set are Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Relevant, and Timely.




2. One should prioritize wisely

Prioritize tasks based on importance and urgency-

Important and urgent: Do these tasks right away.

Important but not urgent: Decide when to do these tasks.

Urgent but not important: Delegate these tasks if possible.

Not urgent and not important: Set these aside to do later.



3. One should set a time limit to complete a task:

Setting time constraints for completing tasks helps you be more focused and efficient. Making the small extra effort to decide on how much time you need to allot for each task can also help you recognize potential problems before they arise.




4. One should take a break between tasks:

When doing a lot of tasks without a break, it is harder to stay focused and motivated. Allow some downtime between tasks to clear your head and refresh yourself. Consider grabbing a brief nap, going for a short walk, or meditating.



5. One should organize yourself:

Utilize your calendar for more long-term time management. Write down the deadlines for projects, or for tasks that are part of completing the overall project. Think about which days might be best to dedicate to specific tasks.




6. One should remove non-essential tasks/activities:

Determine what is significant and what deserves your time. Removing non-essential tasks/activities frees up more of your time to be spent on genuinely important things.



7. One should plan ahead



Make sure you start every day with a clear idea of what you need to do – what needs to get done that day. Consider making it a habit to, at the end of each workday, go ahead and write out your “to-do” list for the next workday